The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-10-26
LOCAL MATrER5.

Farmsrs' 4ssembEy.-This body He7r-~A'ct ~
me Capitol, pursuant TO adjournment, on
wednesday night, aud was called to order BY
the Speaker, WYNDuAM ROBERTSON, Esq.
The resolution pending at the time of ad-
lournment on the previous night was taken
up. viz:
Resolved. That 81 much of the Constitution as
refers TO the Farmers Assembly bs altered aud
amended so as to devoivs Its powers and duties on
msmbsrs and all annual members who have paid
their annual contributions Six months before the
genera meeting at which they NAV oher 10 vote,
by general consent, the above resolution
was amended by the addition OF the words
"but this amendment shall not take effect un-
I'll the end OF the present session Of this As.
semblv."
Mr.. Branch hoped that final action upon the
subject would be postponed until next year,
and let notice be given TO the mem bers OF the
Society.
Mr.. Wlckham said that notice was given a
year ago, and he believed that the sentiment
was almost unanimous in favor of the mass
meetings.
Mr. Chalmers, of Halifax, was In favor of
delaying action. he believed the Assembly
had answered the purposes for which it was
created.
Mr.. Nelson, of Clark, had been in favor of
the change, but, on mature reflection, had de-
termlned TO vote against the resolution. He
thought the present system should have a
longer trial. The "reminiscences of the mass
meetings might not be SO pleasant to gentle
men, if they had been in his predcament
when he pledged his county for certain sub
scripuon, and had to pay it all out of his own
pocket
AIr. Cobbs, of Danyilie, proceeded to argue
against the cOnstitutionality OF the proposed
amendment. lie eeRfeadedk that it was not
offered at the previous annual meeting, but
notice was merely given that it would be OF
fered at this meeting.
Mr.. Wickham stated that the same course
mad been pursued ever since the formation OF
the Assembly, as the records would show.
GIYpt r1l in ptutl nod fh..r ,faSp
ment were actually offered at previous meet
ing, 1T could not constitutionally pass without
a unanimous vote.
Mr.. Nelson, of Hanover, argued In favor of
the passage of the resolution. lie had come
here tor the purpose of voting for the abolition
OF the Assembly, and he hoped all would vote
for it.
After some conversation, the previous dues
ton was called, and the vote upon sustaining
it being taken. it was found that no quorum
voted.
Mr.. Wickham said it must now be eviden:
that the Farmers Assembly was dead and
that the Society was sustaining q cumbrous
body without vitality. He for one would
never appear again in this Farmers Assembly
and moved an adjournment SINE die.
The Speaker said that though no Quorum
voted, there might be quorum in the house
The Clerk was thereupon directed to call the
roll, and this having been done, it was found
that there were but torty-eight members
present.
Mr.. Tate renewed the motion to adjourn
sine de
Mr.. H. G. Cabell of Richmond by leave,
appealed to gentlemen not to press such a mo-
ton. The parliamentary method under ex-
listing circumstances, was 10 adjourn from
day TO day He was in favor of the proposed
change, and desired a more full discussion of
the merits Of the question under cousidera-
ton.
Mr.. Deane, of Lynchburg, by leave, remark
ed that the motion to adjourn SiHe de was not
parliamen tary.
The motion was then Withdrawn. Mr.
Wicknam said that he would reconsider his
previous remark, and attend one more meet
ing of the Assembly, for the purpose of making
another effort 10 carry the resolution. He
moved that the Assembly adjourn TO meet
again on Thursday night.
The motion was carried, and the meeting
adjourned.