Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-13
ERID.lr .NoRAINU, .iprH Is, 1851.

FRID.lf .NORH7.NI:, .iprit Is, 1851
The Convention met pursrau; to Adjournment.
The Journal of the preceding day real and ap
proved.
YEAS AND NAYS IN COMMITTEE OF TIRE WHOLE.
Mr. HOPKINS. offer the followin. resolution for
iadoption
Tie resolution WAS read BY the SECRETARY, rs fol-
lows:
Resore2 That the ayes and noes may be ordered and
taken in Committee of the Whole the basis of repre-
scn.aton in the same in tie Convention.
The question was then taken-a count being had
aud there were ayes A. aces 10. No quorum voting.
The PRESIDENT. There is q'iorun voting; but
there is Quorum present.
Mr. LETCHER believe there Is quorum present.
and call for the yeas and upon the adoption of
the resolution
Mr.. BYRD, of Frederick. Would it be in order to
move to lay the proposition upon the table!
The PRESIDENT. Yes sir.
Alr BYRD of Frederick Well have no; made the
motion vet, although may make it. 1t appears to
that the proposition involves question Of very great
Importance, for, i'll my opinion II goes to the extent oi
destroying the entire utility Of the rule providing for
the committee of the whole. The object Of the commit
tee Of the whole is TO promote the lrecs and most ex
tended conference among mcnbers-to induce the full
est and most unrestricted Interchange Of oiol$-i
mature opinons-in order that members may BE-
ally enlightened. And that Interchange should take place
IN such form and under such circumstances will
definitely commit any member, but leave him to act as
the ultimate dictates of his judgment may lead him ia
act when his mind has been thus enlightened Hence it
in consideration of that fact that the yeas and nays
! III cnnlmittee Of the whole were never to be taken
SIR. HOPKINS rise to question of order, with all
Cue Difference to the gentleman | understood him to
make Il motion TO lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. BYRD, of Frederick, Tin his seat l made no
such motion.
/ Mr.. HOPKINS understood the question to have
been put by the chair, and the vote upon count to
have been announced 1t is therefore strictly proper
according to the rules of order of the house to take the
yeas and nays upon the question, though am per
fectly willing that the yeas ana nays should be taken
| II the motion to lay upon the table not made rs
thought ii beg the gentlenians pardon for inter
ruptlng him.
Mr.. BYRD, of Frederick. 1t is of consequence.
II had been of order should certainly have yield
ed to the correction with the greatest pleasure did
not make motion to lay upon the table III the first
place. and in the next place understood that no quo
rum voted upon the question Of the adoption of the re-
solution; therefore there no decision andconsequel
" The question was open to debate THIS interruption
aa cscd me forget what intended to have added as
do not reco'lect exactly where | left of. But 1t Is
clear to my mind that the effect of this proposition if
adopted will be d;vcst both the rule under which
90 M" commItlee of the whole, and the operations OF
the committee al the whole Of their entire utility.
a!E therefore. opposed to tia adopt on under cir
cumsancc>, and particularly opposed to its alop
ton now, us THU rs this body is. therefore, to
lay IT upon the table but will withdraw that motion
If any gentleman desires 10 addrc,, the Convention
AIR. LEICdER. trust my fririld will withdraw it,
Mr.. BYRD, of Frederick Certainly, with the under
standing that the gentleman will renew before he con-
cudes his remarks.
! Mr.. LETCHER. Yes sir l do not desire to be con-
sdered ont of order in calling the yeas and nays 1t
has been done repeatedly during the session Of the Con
vention. Upon various occasions the yeas aud nays
have been called after it ascertled that there was
no quorum present By count upon division! asked
for the yeas and nays fnr that Moreover con
slider that the object of the resolution is force certain
gentlemen of the east to vote for particular measure
and think is offered for that purpose and that alone
wish the fact go out to the country, that it may
be known how this object is sought to be accomplished
and that every body may understand the precise design
of this resolution. According to my promise now
acw the motion to lay upon the table.
! The question was then taken-a count being had
and the motion rejected. Ayes Al, noes 81.
! Mr. SCOTT, of Fauqucr. I understand the PROPOSE
ton of the gentleman from Powhatan to be- that we
shall adopt resolution that in committee OF the whole
the vote upon the proposition touching the basis ques
ton shall be taken by yeas and nays and can;io;
conceive what valid objection can be urged against That
mode OF proceeding. We know that We stand here
upon this question nearly balanced. None OF US after
being in session together for many months, and aDor
Gus discussion and comparison of opinion, can tell ho%
the vote is to stand when this question Is submitted
appreheud that the object of the proposition is to secure
accuracy of count and nothing more so rs to AVOID any
difficulty that may occur by Of miscount OH
the part of the chair and avoid the delay aud trou
bic Of appointing ellers to ascertain the result Now
the purpose being merely to resort to this usual and
convenient mode Of ascurtaning accurately the result
I cannot conceive what valid reason can be urged
against it, 1t is unusual, know, to vote by yeas and
nays in committee of the whole, hut do not desire.
do not care to see the vote recorded in the Journal aud
apprchend that the of the proposition will pre-
fer and be content to submit to modification Ut the
resolution which will axcmp. from tie necessity OF
making a record Of it.
Mr. HOPKINS. l trust the gentleman will pardon
mo for mailing an explana ton He isapprehend5 lue,