Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-09


derstand wha; is the meaning of protec-
lion. II seems to me that fixed and unal-
tcrable majority Of ten in the Senate for
eighteen years--for although the question
Is 10 be submitted to the people in 1865,
in case the two houses of the Legislature
cannot agree, yet even if they adopt the
suffrage basis it cannot certainly go INTO
onera, ion earlier than 1868 and probably
not before 1869. Because the Governor
Is t. certify the result to the nextlegislature
which at its regular session after o.
which rill be in '67,) is to make the APP
nortiopment, ana tue Legislature that Will
come into power under tie new system
will not hold IL regular biennial sessici pc
fore 1869. and if there should be called
session the new state Of things cannot pos
sibly come into operation before lS65.-
We'll then, you get all the protection you
could possibly get under the mixed basis,
for by that time you would not have a
majority in either house, or upon JOINT bal
lot. 1t is true you have not majority on
Joint ballot, as YOU would now have under
the mixed basis. But understood you
do not want a majority in both houses Tor
political purposes for the mere sake of
power, but for purposes OF sectional protec-
ton to the east you do not want 1t for the
purpose of controlling the election Of the
officers Of the government or for the appor-
tionment of officers which are to be filed
by the Legislature, because, all concede
that these elections ought to be In the ratio
of the popular vote throughout the whole
State. That l think will be the just and
proper mode Of electing the officers who
are to be elected by the Legislature. They
ought to be elected in proportion to the
whole number of voters in the State
Well, then, if it is not for political power,
it is not necessary to have majority In
both houses Of the Legislature for protec-
ton, because a protection OF ten majority
in the Senate, is better than the meagIe
majority the mixed basis could give you IN
each house. According tothe mixed basis,
YOU will have majority of FIVE in the
Senate and some twelve IN the House OF
Delegates. This would last for Ten years
and then the maioriiies in both houses will
be neutralized or overcome.
This is the idea | wish to impress upon
the Convention, that this is as good pro
position for the east as the mixed basis In
both Houses of the General Assembly
that it as good proposition for the east
now, and a better proposition for the State
at large. Suppose, for the sake of argu-
mcnt, You could in despite of the west, car
rv the mixed basis, and fix it on them in
both Houses, could you get this constitution
ratified! Would it have been agreed to?
Would not the vote Of the east, who are
opposed to all reform, and opposed to all
change in the constitution, with the vote OF
the west have rejected it! Every man must
agree that it must have been rejected. But
suppose still further it were not rejected,
it could not last longer thar twenty year.
1t could not last longer than till 1870, pro-
badly not longer than 1860, for according
TO the calculations of eastern men them
selves the west must, upon any basis, have
the majority in both Houses in 1850, and
if they were not satisfied with the mixed
basis-if they wanted any other basis
they would have the power, if rot in 1850
certainly in 1870 in both Houses of the
General Assembly, and would establish
the basis upon what principle they pleased.
Now, what does the proposition give you?
1t gives you the actual operation Of the
mixed basis up to the time when you your
selves admit the hands Of the west would
be united, and they would be at liberty to
adopt what basis they pleased without any
guarantees. They would then have the
whole thing in their power. As it is now
You will have the continuation Of the mix
ed basis for near twenty years, and you
now have the power 10 incorporate into the
constitution Just whatguarapties you please
for the west have given us the carte blaache
that we may put in our own guarantees;
they will give you every guarantee neces-
sary for the protection and safety Of the
east. Upon every view Of the question |
think now it is better for the country--it is
better for this Convention to adopt this
proposition than if they could have adopt
ed the mixed basis out and out because it
now restores quiet, peace and harmony,
iusures the safety and integrity Of the State,
and prevents the call of another Convention
twenty years hence. So much for that pro-
position.
7 now beg leave to say few words tic
the gentleman from Fauquicr. (Mr. Scolt,)
and those friends who act with him, and
whom, he says, would be willing to adopt
his plan of compromise. | call upon hun
to say, if he and his friends are willing to
agree to the plan proposed by him, why it
is that they can not come up nowand agree
to this plan! How is it that that gentleman
and his friends can justify themselves be-
fore the Convention and the country, in
saying that they are willing to go for his
plan Of compromise, but they cannot go
for that reported by the committee-that
they havcinsuperable objections to it, Now
as to the question oftilae, it has been clear
ly shown that this proposition Of the con-
mittee comes within one year OF that pro-
posed by the gentleman from Fauquicr,
mr.. s;cott.) 1t embodies the same Idend-
cal principle in its operation with that en-
bodied in the genteman's proposiiion,-and
within one year OF time, and it has, so far
= the east Is concerned, this advantage
over it: BY this proposition, the east has
. Cd majority in the Senate until 1867,
,,.i ,,. ia !. 4islatcrc viii make re-appor-
f;onr7ent Which ill not co into operation
until 1869. So that you, have d n&ed i6 ma
jofity in the Senate from now until ,'o''
which viii efcctually protect You against
all improper legislation, while by the prop /
ostion of the gentleman from Fauquier.
whichproposesa re-apportionment in 1851.
Youwiil then lessen the majority OF the east
inthc Senate, and increase the westernma-
jority in the House of Delegates, so that in
my judgement gentlemen cannot justify |
themselves here, or before the country, in
opposing this measure upon the ground Of
time.
III ....7 L.. IL - |