Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-17
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
Remarks of MIR. Charles ii, Lynch,

SUBJECT under consideration, and 1 stOuit
not do so, but for the difference of opin
ion now between my colleagues and my
self upon this subject. have not risen tc
make a speech. but mainly to state tn,
positions taken by my colleagues and my
self, when we were candidates before oul
constituents forseats here. My colleague.
and myself are here as equals, sir, not ac
eountable to each other for our course o.
conduct in this hall, upon this or any other
subject brought before this body for con
sideraiion and action we are all alike re.
sponsible to our constituents who sent-us
here.
la the canvass before the people of our
district that ended with our election, each
of us, all Of us. avowed ourselves in favor
of hasing representation in the Legislature
upon the mixed basis, and pledged our.
selves unequivocally in our written ad-
d esses, to carry that basis into the constl-
tution,so far as our votes would accomplish
that end. We advocated it because it was
wise and just in itsclfto all, and because it
" ould give majority Of representation 10
eastern Virginia, thereby giving protec-
lion, and the only elfectual protection, to
eastern interests against an unjust cxcr-
else ofihe taxation and appropriatlng pow
or.
The basis of representation was regard
ed by our constituents as question Of vital
importance to them, and the opinions |
have stated were avowed by all the can
didates throughout the district. did not
unde's'and, nor do believe, that any can
didaie in that dictrict gave the slightest ir.-
tma-ion that he would abandon here the
p Mons upon this subject entertained and
vowed |y him then.
M. SAUNDERS. If my colleague
will permit me to interrupt himI will say
did not know any particular ground-1
did not know that the mixed basis would
be one hall based upon taxation and one
half upon white population, and l do not
believe my colleagues knew it. | knew
that the mixed basis was designed for pro-
tccfion and knew that that scheme which,
when carried out, would most etiertoally
protect our interests, was the hest mixed
bass. | think the question Of mixed basis
wis vaguely understood by US all. did
not discuss the miNed basis at all before m y
constituents. | merely made the general
remark, that | was in favor of the mixed
basis. Before | came here, | very fre-
quenty in conversation among my consfi-
tuenis, referred to the plan of compromise
| intended to present here, and do notre,
co lect Of single man who repudiated the
views took upon the subject.
Mr. LYNCH. was proceeding, Mr.
President, to say that ii was understood by
all of our constituents who were made ac-
quainted with our opinions, as far as |
know, that the mixed basis we pledged
ourselves tosupport,w mixture ofw hite
population and taxation combined in both
branches of the Legislature; and if the opin-
ion was entertained by any Of the candi
dates or any one or more of our consti-
tuents, that it was to be otherwise, | was
not informed of it. Ny friend and col
league, (Nr. Saunders,) was a member OF
the Convention of 20 80; the mixed ba-
sis advocated in that Conveniently eastern
members, is precisely the same in princi
pie, as it has been clearly shown, with the
mixed basis now brought forward by the
East. In this convention my colleague a
vowed himself, in his "way bill" in favor
of the mixed basis. it'll the knowledge OF
" hat the mixed basis was in the Conyen-
ton Of 30, which he was member
Mr.. SAUNDERS. Will my friend al.
low me to interrupt him for a sccondl My
friend and colleague certainly had it in his
power to understand the proceedings OF
the Convention Of 80 80 as well as did
He had anopportunity ofconsulting all the
records as well as |. | would ask my
friend II he came here with any d, finite
idea otbasing representation IS upon taxa,
ton and -, or any other number, upon
population, himself, when lie was candi
date lfhe came here with any such no.
ton, he came here with a vast deal more
az fat than | did in relation to this qucs-
lion.
Mr.. LYNCH. I ask my friend in re.
turn, he is ignorant Of the mixed basis
proposed in $3.50.
Mr. SAUNDERS. | answer with great
pleasure 1t has been a long time since the
Convention Of lS29-'30 and do not re
collect all the various plans proposed ii
that Convention to settle this vexed ques
ton. bnt | recollect that plan was adop
ted pretty much like the plan here now
which has brought about these difficulties
with noabsolute principle ofappor,;onrcn
at the bottom. That plan was certainly
regarded as mixed basis plan then-ant
was a mixed basis plan either strong o
weak. And that plan | understood to b,
anything else than the plan and the ap
portionment that has beea here rejected.
Mr.. LYNCH. l will say. in all frank
ness, in answer to my friends question
that did not know in the canvass precise
" what mixture of population and taxa
tion would receive the sanction of easter
delegates in Convention. WhenI cam
here, the plan proposed met with my ap
probation and approval. aIy votes hav
been recorded ir favor oft whenever a
opportunity has been afforded me. and
have good reason TO believe, that my ccurs
upon this subject will be fully susta:ne
and approved by these. who have honore
me with seat here. I know sir, that m
colleague honestly believes his Positio
here upon this subject is proper one.
have no wish to say anything in rela 10
to the difference of opinion between hi
and myself npcn this subject. farther tha
my own position seems to require. ] IT
peat, sir, that it was believed By all. SO Il
as | know. that the mixed basis, adeoc;
ted by all the candidates before our pc,
pie. was to be mixture Of white popul,
ton and taxation in both houses Of h