Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-02
THE RIGHT OF INSTRUCTION.

Mr.. Summers is bitterly denounced as DENYING
the right of instruction, because of vots he
gave in the House of Delegates, at the session
of 1856. His opponents will find that they
would have been wiser had they abstained from
this charge; fer it is a sword that cuts two ways
and whilst it will fail to hurt Mr.. Summers, will
certainly make rather ugly gashes on some of
the Democratic chieftains.
The history of the matter is this: During the
session referred to, the Wing and Democratic
parties in the House fought memorable fight
over certain resolutions instructing the Senators
of Virginia to erpunge from the journal of the Sc
nate the famous censure upon President Jackson
Amongst the champions of the Wings in those
DAYS were Robert Stanard, George w. Summers,
Vincent Witcher, V. W. Southall, Thomas Wal
her Gtlmer, of Albemarle, Il. NJ T. Hunter, of
Essex, and John NJ. Gregory, now of this city.
The Wing party of the House took the ground
hat the representative was bound to obey in-
ttructions, unless instructed to commit violation
of the constitution an act of moral turpitude.-
The Democrats, under the leadership of Joseph
Watkins, of Goochand, VIM. Daniel, jr. OF Lynch
burg, Hugh A. Garland, of Mecklenburg, F. B
Miller, of Botetourt, and others, maintained thai
the representative is bound to obey under all cir
cumstances or resign. The position of each
party was taken with special reference to the case
of Benjamin Watkins Leigh, who would not vote
to expunge part of the journal OF the Senate
On the 10th of February, 1886, the question
came up on the I'd resolution of series reported
by select committee, which was in these words:
"Resolved also, That this Assembly regard the
right of instruction resting on the broad principles
of free nstituons-and that is the duty of the
representative obey the instructions OF his const
tuents or to resign the trust with which they have
clothed him in order that 1t may be transferred to the
hands of those who will carry into execution the
wishes and instructions of the constituent body"
Mr.. Price moved to amend by adding these
words:
Unless the instructions require him to commit
violation of the Constitution or an act OF moral tur
pitude.'
The amendment was reie cted, ayes 81, noes Is.
TAmong the ayes were Messrs. Gtlnier, Southall,
Hunter of Essex, Summers, Gregory Witcher.
Brown of P, and Stanard.
The I'd resolution was then adopetd-ayes IA,
noes IA. THE Enquirer does not give the yeas
and nays.
Here therefore, we have the proof, that THos.
w. GILMER, ROBERT NJ. T. HUNTER, and JOHN
nj. GREGORY, the first of whom, before his lament
ed death, was, by Demo cratic acknowledgment,
republican of the strctest sort the second is
now Democratic Senator of the United States
and the third Democratic candidate for this city
of Richmond, voted with Mr.. Summers for quail
flying the doctrine OF nstruc ton by excepting the
case where representatives. instructed "to conn.,
NIT violation of the constitution or an act of mo-
raj turpitude."
Mr.. Summers is condemned, but these gentle |
men, after committing the very same offence, are
worthy of all acceptation. Such is Democratic |
consistency