Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-17

4
west mojority in one house, upon the sui
irage basis, and securing what my frien,
calls protection, by retaining small ma
jority in the other to the east
My friend and colleague on my righ,
| (Mr. Wingfeld.1 has taken the grount
here, that he was in favor OF mixed basi
before the people. and not the mixed basis
| Mr.. WINGFIELD. still say that
think this embodies the principles of mix
ed basis
Mr.. LYNCH. I understand my col
league 70 scy, he did no. take ground ii ia
vor of the mixed basis.
Mr.. WINGFIELD. No, did not say
that.
Mr.. LYNCH. My colleague was.
am sure. not understood by any one as in
tmaiing that he would vote for an aban
donment ofthe principle in one house. ano
retaining it in the other only for given pc.
riod of time
Mr.. WINGFIELD. / think I stated
as plainly as could, when was up be.
fore, that | believed my people were a
mixed basis people. told them, when a
candidate, that l was in favor Of the mixed
basis principle. My colleague is mistaken
when he supposes that question was dis
cussed. There was no discussion-no ex-
piahation. as far as / know, before the
people. stated in my card, the reason
why l went for the mixed basis; and the
reason was, that 1t was ust protection
that we We're entitledto, being a minority
and having different interest from the other
section. But when carried out the prin-
ciple of protectlon,no matter in what way,
answered everything they desired. did
not say when | was before the people, that
/ was for tie mixed basis, but for a mixed
basis
MR.. LYNCH. Well, sir. lido no, know
that the difference between a mixed basis
and tie mixed basis, so far as my colleague
is concerned, is a matter of much conse-
uuence We all know this Convention
was organized upon mixed basis. giving
a majority to the east of II. 1t is true,
there was no lengthy discussion upon the
subject before the people. All stated their
positions and opinions in their addresses to
the people. They were generally repeat
ed in their speeches. No difference Of o.
pinon was believed to exist between con-
sjitucnis or candidates.
MIR. WINGFlELD. I well recollect,
in the two addresses made to the people
Of Bedford and Campbell, stated these
were my views. l did not expect to
change these opinions; and if | saw reason
to change them-if anything was said or
done in this Convention that did convince
my judgment that | ought to change
them-I would not come here to stultity
myself ii | saw cause to change my opin-
ions. But told them I did not expect to
change them. But circumstances have
led me to aer TO this compromise.
have not changed them yet. l 60 for the
mixed basis now ,ifit could be carried out,
safely IN my opinion.
Mr.. LYNCH Doubtless sir, my col
league did say what he has stated. I re-
member hearing him say something of that
sort in relation to his opinion upon some
other subject; but | do not remember to
have heard him say what he has stated in
relation to the basis Of representation
Or constituentsrega this as question
Of the very first importance to them
Neither my colleagues or myself could. at
that time, have obtained seats here, with
any doubt about our opinions upon this
subject.
My colleague (Mr. Wingfeld) has voted
here for the mixed basis propositions with
ont objection, and suppose, the prnci-
pies of the mixed basis therein set FORTH
was approved by him. | have; upon eve
rv occasion here, voted for it. My opinions,
sir, upon this subject have not been weak
cned, but strengthened and confirmed since
came here. My colleague tells US, that
he has not abandoned the mixed basis prin-
ciple he advocated before the people; and
yet, he is advocating and voting for what
he calls a compromise, that abandons that
principle entirely in one house now, and
surrendcrs it in the other in the year 1865.
! ask him if such a compromise as this was
ever dreamed of by himself or any other
person in our district, during the canvass?
1t seems to me, sir, that whatever opinions
may have been entertained by some eastern
gentlemen here, about the necessisy of
compromise ofthis question, the report Of
the committee of eight, is not a plan that
ought to have been entertained for one mo-
mcnt by any gentleman representing east
crn interests. For one, sir, | am utterly
opposed to It,
Ny colleague (Mr. Wiugfeld) has ar
ened this morning, as understood him.
that the compromise proposed and advoca-
ted by him, gives to the east as good, per-
haps better, protection than the mixed ba-
sis itself. will examine very briefly if this
be so. The mixed basis proposed here.
gives in the house of delegates to the east
a majority oftourieen. and IN the senate a
majority tire members, making in both
houses, majority Of nineteen in ta-or Of
The east, 10 be re-aPportioned upon the same
principle in 1862. The compromise pro-
posed by the committee of eight not only
surrenders this majority of fourteen given
to the east under the mixed basis, but abso-
luely gives in the same house majority to
the rest Of fourteea, retaining to the cast a
majority of ten to be surrendered in 1865,
or very shortly thereafter, 10 the west, for
such majority as the suffrage bssis viii give
them-making present majority of fur
against the east, and in favor Of the aoest,
instead ofth majority Of nineteen given to
the east under the mixed basis,
My colleague says, that according to the
present ratio Of increase Of population in
the west over the east, the west will obtain
the power under the mixed basis probably
in 1S62--certainly in 1s70-while the
compromise does not surrender the power
in the Senate, where alone it has it, until
1868, or, as my colleague contends in
1868, or possibly later than that. If this
be true. how can it be said that this compro-
mise affords as good protection to the east
rs the mixed basis Sir, | do not believe
that the present ratio OF increase Will con
time in the west over the east. | agree
fully with other gentlemen here who have