Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-08
STATE CONVENTION.


and also enquire into the causes of the delays in re-
porting or publishing the proceedings Of this body"
On motion of Mr.. TREDwAY, the resolution and
amendment were laid on The table.
The Convention then resolved itself into committee
OF the whole on the basis question.
DIR. SAUNDERS read speech in defence of his Com
promise.
Mr.. BEALE addressed the committee briefly in expia-
nation and support Of the amendment which he had
submitted.
Mr.. RANDOLPH gave notice of an amendment which
he intended offer to Mr.. Beales, and which he read
1t not sent to the Clerk table, and we did nopro-
copy. Its effect, according understanding
Of it is as follows:
Representation in both Houses to be based upon the
whole white population and the wheIe taxation COM
bned and every part (l5Oth or l35th ast the case
may be) of the white population and taxation in dol
Jars added together TO be entitled 10 delegate, and
every ~ part OF the same to Senator; but no
city or town to have more than - delegates and -
Senators. Taxation to be ad ualorem.
, Mr.. r. stated that his proposition would give the
East about ten majority in the House. He spoke OF
the Substitute submitted by Mr.. SCOTT of f., and voted
down days since by majority OF one as Of the
most rigorous propositions he had ever KIN own to be
offered. The peculiar combined basis, which he pro-
derstood that he to advocate In explaining his
amendment, he argued that the large debt already in
Cured by the State, would make large increase of the
necessary and number of dollars paid
into the Treasury to exceed the number OF white pop
uation The effect would cessarily be to increase
the Eastern maory beyond what it is at present. Mr.
R. repeated his sentiment thatthe Eastern majority in
this Convention ought to pursue concilatory
And he told his Western brethren also that was their
duty to yield netting.
MIR. Chiffon deemed it proper to state some Of the
reasons which would induce him to vote against the
pending proposition (Mr. Beae's.) This was due to
those for whom he acting in public capacity
He should not go before this committee any other
tribunal for of what he would do deliberately
and honestly. He stood under various charges, all i'm
por ting violation OF pledges, breach of faith to
his constituents. He stood here, he said, compro-
mise man. He stood between the two great parties
advocating the mixed basis hand and the SUI
frage basis, occupying Intermediate position which,
he believed might lead TO settlement of this question
This was no new thing with him. He read extract
from his address becoming a candidate, IN which
he stated in general terms that he mprsctica-
BILE, did not mean to commit himself unalterably to
any opinions. and thought asprt of compromise and
concession necessary i'll every good government. He
amongst other changes which he stated tn at he would
approve was the appor ionmen of representation upon
the ratio of population and taxation combined. The
subject Of basis, Mr. c. said very little discussed
in the canvass His colleague, Mr. Scott, did go into
the subject but there very little discussion and
little difference ofopinion. Mr.. c. ayerred that he did
not know, and he believed not one hundred Of his
people during the canvass undo rsood that the part-
cular ratio OF combination popu alton and taxation
was that reported by the comm ittee. The only I'M
dersanding was, that they to be SO combined
as to give the East majority. In company with Mr..
Strother, during the CANVASS, he said he met white
basis man. and told him the basis question was one that
ought to be comp ised. In discussion with some
other gentlemen he advocated compromise The
speech he had made in the Convention was v ell
understood by his Eastern friends to indicate
| his desire for a Compromise. In visit which
he had made to his county, to attend a court
| he had openly expressed his opinions, before
persons of all classes, and he had not seen the first
man who condemned them Mr.. c. referred to his
having entered into caucus with Eastern gentlemen,
and said when he did so the proposition of his col.
league under consideration and resolution was
offered that any Compromise was considered departure
from the Eastern ground. He stated that he would not
consent to any such pledge and the resolution aban
| doned Eastern gentlemen afterwards approached him
and he told Them he was tor Compromise, but only
Tor such one would be acceptable to the East
At another Eastern caucus, another resolution agans
all Compromise was offered and adopted He was pre-
sent, but did not VOTE considering that other gentlemen
had he right to bind themselves as they chose. Had
he been bound by the pledge and subsequent reflection
had convinced him that he IN error it would have
been his duty to violate it. Observation of the course
the debate and the xctement that had arisen had
convinced him that the adoption of the mixed basis
the suffrage basis by one two votes would be pro-
ductive Of the greatest mischefs. He determined
| to aid in defeating both the Eastern and Western
proposition. He could not agree with those Eastern
| gentlemen who thought that if they insisted upon
their basis, the other side would acquiesce with
out great bitterness and dissatisfaction. lie had
read the book of human nature to little purpose if
this was true. On the general subject OF the proper
settlement to be adopted, Mr. c. proceeded to say that
in his Judgment and he believed in that of the people
the exrava giant appropriations tor works of internal i'm
provement were OF the greatest evils they had to
guard against. No basis that could be adopted would
check this rulnous system and he believed that more
security was TO be gained by constitutional restrc-
tons than by any arrangement of the basis The plan
which had been suggested, and seemingly with general
favour, OF providing for the completion OF the leading
works, and prohibiting appropriations for mere local
schemes met his appreciation. He went on to argue
that government was mere expedient to be adopted
for the benefit of the people, and ought be so esab
lished as to suit them and TO please them. Legislators
he thought should be aors and should fit the coat to
the body polite. Under this vew he was against CIV
ing either the East or the West complete triumph
If he could get any considerable number of Eastern
members to 60 with him, he should 20 for adopting
the mixed basis now, to be substituted by the suffrage
basis in 1862, B. 4, or any year thereabout. He would
go for that compromise which the West would accept
and the greatest number of Eastern gentlemen would
agree to. lie appealed to gentlemen of the West to
abandon their policy OF concsament and to inform the
House frankly what they willing TO do. He gave
notice that he should, at convenient time when
he should have ascertained that majority were for
Compramise offer nronrositioa 10 ii