Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-02
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
ERIDAY MORNING. MAY 2. Is5 l,
TUX CONVENTION YESTERDAY.


THE CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
We threw aside our and spent all the morning
Yesterday in the Convention where though very h'e was
done very animated and interesting discussion sprung
up The suces of debate thrown vide open 'he Ion
yenton is again at sea- and no one can say "hen hey W"
reach land second time
When we reached Hail. we found that Mr. Saunders OF
Lvnchbure had withdrawn for the present. his proposition
md that Mr. Bowden of Williamsburg had moved amend
MIR Bolts proposition, by substituting proposition for re-
presentation in both houses federal numbers.
Mr. had also asked leave withdraw for the present
his proposition This motion had been discussed by Messrs
Bolts Shelley and WISE in favor and Messrs 5 Watts ano
Stanard, against.
long discussion Of parliamentary rules took place; IN
which one side contendcd that Mr.. Bolts proposition was
before the House. and could not be withdrawn without
carrying with Mr. Bowdcns-and the other that was
simple act of courtesy Mr. Bolts similar TO what had
been granted Mr.. Saunders, 10 allow hun 10 wthdra"
his proposition.
The Chair mr. Miller of Bote,ourO decided that the House
might give Mr. Bolts leave to withdraw-and Mr. Bolts
asked the ayes and noes on his motion.
Mr. Edmunds asked if the leave gven whether Mr..
Bowden's proposition would not fall with it.
The Chair answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Bolts alluded the fact that public meeting on TINS
subject was called for friday night in this CITY.
Ills constituents he satisfied would go against the
Mixed basis proposition A. They had not yet spoken
on the subject of his and other proposiions-and he
wished know the sentiments OF Richmond majority OF
The district, so as to guide his He here This
morning propose that the consideration Of this Basis ques-
lion be postponed that the people, only of Richmond
but elsewhere might send their instructions here His col
leagues he doubted would wish to kno" the sentiments
Of the people.
Mr. Davis had objection his colleagues Withdrawing
his proposition iii did interfere with other propositions
He believed in the right Of insucon-but thought the
delegates from the district wee fully Instructed at the pos
when they elected written pledges Mr. u refer
red to the great efforts made get up excitement on this
subject.
Mr. Bot,s.-Will my colleague obey instructions
MIR Davs-Yes but believe the best instructions
given at the polls.
In reply 10 remark of Mr. Bo,ts Mr. Davis asked who
had called the public meeting in this city?
Mr.. Bots.-The original call was 10 instruct me-
MIR. Davis.-But the present call
Mr.. Bolts had understood it came from Democrat
Mr. Davis said he could to give this leave as it
amounted TO withdrawal of Mr.. Bvwdens proposition also.
Mr.. Beale said there had been too much "couresy"
shown by Eastern He for courtesy, when it did
not interfere with proper consideration of important pro-
positions He alluded Mr.. Bolts newborn zeal for the
voice of the people and the will of his constituents Three
counties had already given mixed basis instructions to Mr..
Bolts.
Mr. Bolts expressed his surprise the intmaon OF the
gentleman that he had carried out the views of his
suen,s. May he orr Beae) be violating the wishes
Of his constituents? The geneman's way had been
voted down-he propositions before the Convention
new and the gentleman could know the views Of
his constituents upon them Mr. Bolts wished give the peo
pie the opportunity of expressing their views He referred
the meetings alluded to, fairly expressing public
sentiment In Henrco sin votes at the arhest, had been
given the meeting He wished to hear from all the coun
ties.
Mr.. Claiborne said Mr.. Bolts proposition longer
the property of Mr.. B. but Of the House He, therefore,
thought of courtesy Mr.. Bolts to refuse
him withdraw Richmond had had plenty of time
10 this subject His ORR C.s) Whi,e-bass constu-
secuted all compromises like that of Mr. Saunders and
said they would prefer the Mixed basis for which he had
Woodland he should for the next best plan protect
the property Of the East The people of Richmond
press their opinion when the subject shall be in Contention
after action in Committee.
Mr.. Sanard protested against the motion adjourn this
question for indefinite PERIOD after tho proposition of his
colleague had been fairly presented for action II would
amount adjournment OF the Convention to wait until
could hear from every district in the State Mr. Bolts
proposition. This going rather far The time and
money, already wasted by the Convention had made the
body abomnaon Are gentlemen disposed TO take this
responsibility? His constituents did not expect him to do
His opinions were not given in The whole
district for the mixed bass-and no one raised
against it then.
Mr. Bolts cited the action of the convention of '29 when
motion of Judge Scott the basis subject postponed
from the 18th the Both November This postponement
advocated by Mr. Leigh and Mr. Sanard the father of
his colleague.
Mr.. Stanard. The ground of postponement then was
very different from the present. 1t difference of opn
ion between two Western leaders, Dodddse and Johnson as
10 the true construction of the white basis report the one
conendng for the white populations; the other for suffrage
basis 1t resolved postpone the subject to await the
action the question of suffrage Circumstances
very different Mr. s. protested strongly against Mr. Bolts
extraordinary proposition
Mr. Anderson. The Convention of '29 acted under ex-
acy the circumstances and 10 effect the object
Judge Green's Mixed basis voted down-and Eastern
members had various propositions for compromise which
they desired consult their constituents That the
derstandug though it not made part Of the record
Mr. Stanard read from the record show the true ground
Mr.. Smith Of Greenbrier cited, from recollection the
OF the last Convention show that the basis question
postponed distinctly with the view allow the people
OF Abemare and Of that region express their wishes
Mr. Bolts had cited the action Of 30 precedent for
action They had good reasons iicn, and had
better reasons nou He wished hear from his cons,u
en,s and willing give the privilege to every
member He would regard himself as violating his duty if
under the call for public meeting he did not ask time for
his constituents 10 express their wishes.
Mr. NJ. Garrett against all this backing and filing
and should oppose these Withdrawals Of PROPOSE
tons. His people wished the Convention to act, without
further waste Of time.
Mr. Mason said the motive publicly avowed in the last
Convention postpone the basis question: until action
the suffrage question.
Mr.. Floyd. In the suspension in the Convention Of 30
no. instructions received from Albenarc2
Mr. Mason thought tina, the proposition then moved by
Mr. Gordon of Abemare brought forward in accord
with those instructions
Mr. Meredith could refuse the couresey his col
league though the withdrawal Of his proposition might
give an advantage Mr.. Bolts Mr. NJ decidedly op.
posed his colleagues compromise-ye he did think
the withdrawal of the proposition would produce delay. He
should delay hear from the district That it
had already spoken his colleagues fault not his
Mr. Stanard. The motion to withdraw was accompanied
by an announcement that notion postpone the subec,
would be made.