Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-19
STATE CONVENTION

10 report the Compromise proposition 10 the Conyen
non, out withdrew the motion upon Mr. M. X. H.
tor amendments.
Mr.. GARNETT then moved to amend v striking out
In the year 1867 and insert the first session. Eff
teen years after this constitution shall go into effect"
mr VI. said the amendment was offered in good faith
ana was dssl gned TO carry out the intentions avowed
day. $500
Mr.. FERGUSON insisted that The proposition should
remain il stood
Inc molten TO strike out was reI cted, ayes A,
noes the white basis members present and Messrs
hnowoeh, IMlfon, Claiborne, Douglass, McCandlish,
Martin OF II. Randolph, al nd Wingied voting in the
negative.
Mr. MASON suggested that that part of the proposition
winch prescribed decennia reapportonment, and
term OF four Years for Senator'S with biennial rotation
would be mpractcabe, without yacating the unexpir.
ca Term OF hal the Senator'S it being generally agreed
nAt ine sessions OF the Legislature would be biennial
oaavowed any purpose of embarrassing the PROPOSE
oh. Mr WI therefore moved to amend so as to obyi-
ave The diff1cuy by reducing the Senatorial terms to
two years "
MIR. SUMMERS was opposed to reducing the terms of
Genaiors TO the same period with those of Delegates
lie observed that the same difficulty existed in the mo
sent Constitution - INV p''-
Mr. Taylor suggested that the terms of Senators be
made hive years. -
Mr. WISE, rather than reduce the terms ofthe sena.
tors, would increase them. He proposed to meet the
oihculty by making the reapporionments every eight
and OF course not very clearly
Mr SUMMERS observed that the phraseoloey of the
proposition would have to undergo revision hereafter
at present. -
Mr.. fletcher added that the terms of Senators and
peegates would properly be arranged in settling the
Legislative Department.
Mr. MASON finally withdrew hiss motion
Mr. TAYLOR urged that this was a bargain between
two conendng sections and its meaning ought TO be
80 plainly defined that it cend not be misunderstood
ne moved TO insert the word regular" before the word
SESSIONS adopted, men, con, except Mr.. FERGUSON
BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
Mr. foTTs moved to strike out the word "benual"
Wnere inc proposition provides for biennial sessions
more decided opinion in favour OF biennial sessons but
subsequent reflection had entirely changed his views
lie had consulted intelligent gentlemen from other
States which had adopted the biennial pan and their
uniform testimony was adverse 10 it. Cine reason
alone had satisfied him. it was, that no man ought 10
nave the power OF appointing two Senators of the Uni
Yea olates But he only proposed to leave the ques
ton undecided for the present.
WI. ouMMERs concurrad In postponng the question
OF annual or biennial sessions but was opposed to al
terlng the report in committee.
Mr. DAVIS thanked his colleague for making this n,o
tlon II he had his way-bill with him. he might show
that ne had pledged himself to annual sessions
The motion Of Mr.. Boris was rejected, without ayes
and noes. N' "'~'
Mr. WISE said if there were no other amendments
ne would move to rise and report the proposition to the
Conventon; but withdrew the motion at the request of
r., thr. bocoek, who said he had amendments to offer
lie said they came not from friend of this Compro-
mise lie expected to vote against it, but would not
commit himself. He wished to modify the proposition
70 as to cont orm il 10 his and he hoped these of
sne comtiee. Ills proposition was, in substance that
1t the two Houses could agree upon an apportoo-
ment then the Governor should submit their competing
proposisons to me people, The Compromise itself pro-
vded mat the Houses should agree, question
should be submitted This he showed by the express
sion, I'm the event the General Assembly shall NOT be
aple 10 agree as to the principle OF representation on
winch such reapporllonment shall be made" Mr.. B.
trustedo present the plans preferred by their consti
tuents, and expressed his belief that BY the wear
1865 the two sections of the State would become much
more Identified than at present. He moved to strike
out part OF the compromise proposition and insert
several provisions to the following effect:
MR.. BoCoCKs AMENDMENT.
. 1t shall be the duty of the General Assembly in
the year 1862 to reapporton representation in the Sem
ate and House OF Delegates; and in the event The
ouses shall nor be able TO agree te the prjpcple
OF representation on which such re- apportiooment
snail be made IN the two houses, in either Of them
each mouse shall certify TO the governor the principle
or rule on wchlt proposes to base the represe Ia ton
IN the houses respectively, and the Governor sb, bv
ms proclamation Immediately thereafter, make public
the respective propositions, and REQUIRE the ouafied
voters to assemble at their lawful places of voting
and to decide by their votes between the propositions to
them thus presented
Ia case the General Assembly shall fail to perform
the duty required by the preceding section after lis adj
Journment it shall be the duty of the Governor. nv
proclamation 10 require the qualified voters of the com
monwealth to assemble at their lawful places of voting
ana 10 declare 6y their votes whether representation in
the House Of Delegates shall be based on white non
laion, or on population and taxation combined and
SO also as to representation in the Senate: but
polls Shall be held and distinct votes taken as to each
house." 80 ~ '
lhe remaining sections Of the amendment nrovia.
or carrying the decision OF the as to the basis to
be adopted into effect the Legislature which shall as
semoe next after tie taking OF the popular vote. being
reapportooments on the principle established to be made
every ten years. ~
mr. SUMMERS, after expressing his pleasure at hearing
mr. bococks voice again in the hall urged that il wonld
De DETER to refer all matters Of detail to SUBSEQUENT r
VISION. lie stated that This point under the cons-
deraon OF the committee, and made objection TO in
Ves'lng tne Legislature with any discretionary or con-
Vcntonal power concerning the basis of alton
Mr. bococK remarked that although he was able TO
De again among his friends, he sorry 10 find him
self and all his Eastern friends rather more dead tha
alive. The Gecease took place Yesterday and the sur
vlvos rather indelicatey insisted having the fuoera
on the same day apparently from fear that during The
reanima'ed 's.'De
Mr.. FAULKNER could see no objection to Mr. Ro-
cock proposition lie understood its object to be 10
anoW e East m 1900 to present to the people, through
the senate such an issue, as pleased He suggested
modification OF the amendment, which. If II were
adopted would make the proposition unobectionable
to him.
Mr.. WISE could SEQ several objections of form n thu
Compromise, but he should vote for consderno tbem
at future time. He should therefore vote against Mr.
Bocock's amendment. He said the Compromise had
already shown that possessed the virtue ncucated in
the sermon on the Mount; had caused The DUNN tn
speak and the lame 10 walk ~ W
MI SAUNDERS did not know exactly whether he was
dead or alive. He had tried get COMPROMISE which
would give the same government to posterity that il
gave to US, but had failed The West had certainly
tailed to stand by HIM, and we understood him to de-
clare his purpose to oppose the Compromise.
Mr.. BococK replied to Mr.. WISE (alludng to his five
Sneech) WI ha
times Tor those who spoke TO be made dumb. Ia an.
swer TO Mr. SUMMER objection to investing The Legis
lature with Conventional power, he said the Com
to determine the plan of reapporonment independently
OF the people.
Mr.. WINsFIELD had agreed 10 the Compromise, as
COMPROMISE, though II contained some things he OBJ
eced and he should adhere TO it at present So lone
It's friends did not wish to alter it, But he approved
OF the amendment OF Mr. BococK. and should vote for
it at proper lime.