Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-24

high crimes and misdemesnors. Well,
ldoes,it not become statesman, when ne
Is called upon to aid in the formation Of
constitution for the future government
iof the Commonwealth, and when those
who have possessed the power in times
mast claim to retain it, although they are
lin a minority of the people of the State,
to look to the past policy of this govern
mental majority do not wish to put
this old mother of ours upon trial, Inc
worthy gentleman from Richmond city
said that it was cruel in the extreme to
make these charges, and why SC? AS l
stated before, an examination of the past
policy of the State is forced upon us. and
whilst / do not feel authorized to enter a
aolIs prosequi to any indictment or charge
that may have been presented against
this Commonwealth. yet. occupying the
position that do upon this floor, l am
bound to look into them, and if it viii
suit the gentlemen on the other side, and
especially my worthy friend from Rich
mond city. (Mr. Scott better. let this
examination be regarded as an informa-
ton. in the nature of quo toarrdnto.
Mr.. G. here gave way for q motion that
the committee rise, which was agreed
TO.
Mr.. Camden. On the rising of the
Committee yesterday, was looking in
to the past policy of this governmental
majority having the control over the le.
gislative department of the State, with a
view to see if this claim set up by that
party to retain their power is justified by
the policy pursued by it heretofore l
stated on yesterday, the melancholy fact,
that with all her natural advantages,
Virginia, once at the head of her sisters
in property, numbers and wealth, now
occupies the position of the fourth State
in the Union, and in a very short time
must. unless the policy of the State is
changed, take much lower position in
the confederacy. 1 take the ground that
the natural advantages possessed by this
great commonwealth, by judicious ad-
ministration of her government would
have maintained her in the position that
she had at the formation of the Union.
Now, what has this governmental ma
jority done for the internal prosperity and
development of the natural advantages
of the State ? We hear much complain
ing with regard to the appropriations
made for internal improvements. But
what has this policy effected, especially
in Eastern Virginia If, after an appro-
priation and expenditure there of upwards
of nine million of dollars in works of in
ternal improvement, the same tendency to
decline is seen, it must be caused by an
injudicious State policy. And what has
the government done to improve the men
tai resources of the people ? While pur-
suing an imperfect and erroneous policy,
something has been done for the higher,
and something for the lower classes OF So
ciety; but the great capital, the great sta
pie of the commonwealth-the masses
the energetic and enterprising portion OF
best they could, and left to their own en-
ergies.
1t is the first duty of republican 60
vernment to provide for the education Of
the whole people of the Commonwealth
not that the government should do every
thing, but that, by a judicious exercise OF
legislative authority, q well regulated sys.
tenn of education should be adopted by
which the mind of the Commonwealth
may be developed. When, sir, ] cast
my eyes over this wide Commonwealth
and look at its past and present policy,
can see nothing to commend it to my con-
sideraLion for retention of the power
now claimed by this governmental majo-
rity; and l wish to examine for a mo.
ment, Mr.. Chairman, and see whether this
policy, the policy heretofore pursued by
those possessing the political power of the
State, has been such as to promote liberal
republican principles. have come to
the conclusion that the policy has tended
to different result, although it has been
constantly opposed by the West.
But look if you please at the proceedings
of the last Convention. Why, we are
now told that this old Commonwealth is
to be radically reformed in all of its de.
partments, except upon the question OF
so, I ask g? Why is it that this govern
mental majority is disposed to yield to
the demands of the people except upon
this one question, the reform of which is
also demanded by large majority of the
people? hesitate not to say, that but
for the determined spirit of the West,
her constant and energetic efforts for re-
form, and to establish liberal principles, a
very different state Of feeling would now
prevail in this body. do not mean that
the members of this body would enter
tain different views from those which they
now entertain; but tell you that gen.
tlemen entertaining different feelings and
views from those now occupying seats
here from the eastern portion of the State
would be here in their stead. AS sta
ted before, until the Convention of 1899
80. the right of suffrage was confined to
the freeholders of the State. The COM
mittee in the Convention having charge
of the subject, reported a provision that
was ENG, afted into the constitution extern