Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-09
THE CONVENTION YESTERDAY.


GEMS.
THE CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
The Convention yesterday exhibited new
phase of the vexed question of the basis, and one |
which, we regret to say, was attended by the
excitement of unpleasant feelings. Before going |
into Committee of the Whole, resolution was |
adopted to close debate on the pending question as
soon as the Convention should resolve itself into
Committee. Mr.. Bolts took occasion to state that |
he should consider the vote in the city an instruc-
ton to him to sustain the mixed basis, and he |
should therefore vote for Proposition A of the ba-
sis committee In Committee of the Whole, Mr.. |
Beae withdrew his amendment (the mixed basis,
excluding the free negro tax and Mr.. Sum-
mers introduced the proposition, of which he had
previously given notice, that the question OF
mixed basis or suffrage basis should be submit
ted to the people along with the constitution
Mr.. Stanard then renewed Mr.. Beae's amend
nent; but Mr.. Beale's withdrawal of it placed it
without the operation of the resolution to stop de-
bate on the pending question. discussion ac-
cordingly sprang up, Mr.. Scott of Fauquier ia
king the lead. We did not hear the first remarks
of Mr.. Scott, or all of the reply made by Mr.. Sum-
mers; but an issue arose between the two gentle
men which produced no little sectional excite
ment in the hall. We believe the sum of it all
was this
Mr.. Summers consid cred the withdrawal of Mr.
Beale's amendment, just after Mr.. Bolts an
nouncement of his intention to vote for PROPOSE
ton A, a proof that the friends of the mixed basis
meant to put A to the vote and carry it. He there
fore supposed it might be the last opportunity he
would have, before the basis question was deter
mined, to present his proposition to submit thai
question to the people, and he presented it accord
ingly. Mr.. Scott, on the other hand, having ex-
pected, it seems, some manifestation from the
other side of disposition to compromise, was led
by the introduction of Mr.. Summers proposition
to believe that the friends of the suffrage basis
had deliberately determined to stand out to the last
and to decline any attempt at reconciliation of
views. Mr.. Summers proposition, it will be re-
collected, was that upon thereection of which the
secession of at least portion of the Western
delegates had been threatened. Mr.. Scott receiv-
ed its presentation as an announcement that the
friends of the suffrage basis were prepared to take
that stand.
Something was said, in the beginning of the de-
bate, about the proposition of Mr.. Summers being
sword. Mr.. Scott said that if it was presented
he would cross saoordS with his friend and appeal
to the God of battles. These expressions were
understood by Western members as an actual chal-
lenge to conflict of arms between the two sec
tons of the State, but, Mr. Scott afterwards ex-
planned, they were certainly not so intended We
regretted much to hear them, however, because
nothing is more to be deprecated than i'll feeling
and sentiment amongst those who are charged by
the people with so grave business as that of re-
forming the fundamental law Mr.. Scott declared
that 30 far from any design of arousing violent
feelings, he came to the hall with his thoughts
turned wholly on peace. He minated that he had
even looked to Mr.. Summers himself to tender
a plan of settling this contest which would be ac-
ceptabe to both of them. From further explana-
tons made by each gentleman it appeared that
Mr.. Scott had suggested to Mr.. Summers propo
sition which he enormously thought Mr.. Summers
so far approved that it might become the ground
of a compromise. The nature of this proposition
was not disclosed, but Mr.. Summers stated that he
would require an entire change in one essential
feature of it.
In the course of the discussion, Mr.. Johnson Of
Harrison, the Governor elect, made some sophie
monial remarks abouta division of the State, which
brought upon him grievous rebuke from Mr.
Scott, for his havng,a short time ago. ntimated his
intention to withdraw from the Convention if the
Western propositions should fail.
Mr.. Janney endeavoured, but without success,
ton and withhold it until the Convention had dis
posed of other subjects, when he pledged himself
that it should have fair VOTE
Mr. Claiborne rebuked both the leaders. Mr..
Scott and Mr.. Summers, for the intemperance of
their language, and declared that if it continued
he should be for disearding the captains and put
ting the lieutenants in command
Mr.. Taylor, of Norfolk, who had been expected
to explain at large, his peculiar views, merely
deprecated the sort of argument that had been
used, and suggested the appointment of COM
mittee of twelve, six from each section, to de-
wise some practicable Compromise If that
course were not pursued he said he should vote
to strike out Proposition A, and against inserting
the white basis, but if he must vote to insert
something it would only be the general mixed
basis.
Mr.. Chiffon moved that the committee rise, an
ne thoughtit was in an unfit condition to take anv
vote, and the motion prevailed.
We hope the Convention Twill meet in better
temper this morning
"A FERROUS THEATRICAL ACCIDENT happened at the
Nahonai lheatre IN New York, on Tuesday night
Ode ofthe actors, Mr.. Seymour. was PLAYING the part
OF the end, and another actor Mr. Tamrnonv niavinp
the part OF the flying dragon In the last scene the dra