Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-11-26
II. .ar,.,;..ao nmnutated in the form pro.


po,ed by the gentleman, and in various forms,
NAV say. Ii the third clause of the Consti-
! tntion of ls5O-'5l is the same as the clause
now proposed by the committee with the
words contained in the genteman's amend,
ment sticken out, why not adopt it without
going through the form Of striking OUT
However, if the Convention desires to vote
upon the amendment instead of adopting the
clause in the Constitution Of 1850, will offer
no obstacle.
Mr.. SuErrEr-WilI the gentleman permit
me to ask hin question ?
What will be the difference between the artl.
Gle Of the Constitution which you propose, and
this article, if the clause which | propose to
strike out be stricken out?
VIII there be any difference except that Of
the words limited States" as contained in the
article which the gentleman proposes, and
"Confedcrate States" in the article which
propose to amend? 1t will be identically the
same 10 totidem rerbis.
The PRESIDE it is the same the point
of order is we'll taken
Mr.. HAYNoND-If it is the same, then,
withdraw my proposition, for the present, be-
cause | suppose it will be competent, ii It
should not DO the same, to offer it hereafter as
a substitute.
The question then REQUIRED upon the motion
OF Mr. SMYTn to strike out.
Mr. YOUNG, Of Henrico-I am entirely un-
familiar with parliamentary rules. l beg to
enquire whether it is in order to move to
amend the clause proposed to be stricken out,
bufore the vote is taken, and whether, if that
vote should result in the negative, can then
move 10 amend this clause proposed to be
stricken ont
The PRESIDENT Tiff the clause DO stricken
ont, Of course, there is an end to it.
Mr. IOUNu-lf not stricken out?
The PRESIDENT Then it will be competent
for the gentleman to amend it.
Mr. IouNG-i will indicate an amendment
which shall offer at the proper time.
As the clause now stands, it makes the
right of the voter depend upon the TACT whe.
ther he has actually been assessed or not.
do not think The right to vote should be made
to depend upon the act OF the Commissioner
Of the Revenue or his failure.
| have known many instances in which, uu-
der the old Constitution, previnns to 1850,
persons had been DISTINGUISHED by the failure
Of the Commissioner OF the Revenue to make
| the assessment
|
propose to Offer at the proper time:
land who shall have pad all taxes and
levies due to the Commonwealth, or to said
county, city or town which have been charged
to or assessed against him, in said county city
or Town, for the year next preceding"
Mr. HALL, Of Wctzel.-I propose to amend
by inserting the word "State," in the eighth
line, before the word revenue" and striking
l., ~
rates"
This amendment will leave the subject just
as the Constitution of '29 80 had it, except
that that Constitution applied to heads of
families, who paid the State revenue but this
amendment is intended to apply to oil per-
sons.
Mr. HAvMoSD.---l would suggest that, in or.
der to render that amendment perfect and
make tho other parts Of the clause consistent
| With the portion proposed to be amended, the
words county levies, or poor rates" in the
sixth line, should be stricken out
The object Of the amendment Of the gentle.
man, as I understand it, is that the right to
vote shall depend only Oh payment Of the
amount Of the State levy.
Mr.. DoRMAH.-I understood the Chair TO
decide that if the proposition OF the gentle
man from Smyth (Mr. SuErFGY) shall prevail,
and that portion Of tho clause named in his
proposition be stricken out, the clause will
then be anendablc.
The PREsIDENr.-fes, sir
Nix. DoRMAS.-lf that be So think it is
necessary TO propose amendments until the
vote is Lakcn upon that proposition. = think
there is but little doubt that the Convention
will strike Out the clause that il proposed to be
:. l.. l.
the point at once think that the fate Of the
other clauses will DO dependant in Il. great
measure, upon the result ofthe vote upon this
For my part, wonld be very willing to see
this requirement for the payment of taxes cm.
embodied in the Constitution, yet upon con-
sideratiOn Of the peculiar circumstances by
which we ore surrounded, ] have made UP my
mind that it would be inexpedicnt on the part
Of tho Convention to embOdy this require.
ment now.
All Of as who have had anything to do with
political affairs in past times know perfectly
we'll that the practical operation Of that por-
ton Of the former Constitution which required
the payment Of taxes as u condition Of voting
vas this: that the tYo political parties made
their provisions before the day Of election to
pay the taxes of delinquents, and thus secure
their support in the election. As understand,
the proposed change is intended to have no
other result than that OF increasing somewhat
the revenue of the State have already in
dicated to the Convention that regard 1t rs
OF vast Importance to MS, and the people at
large, that We should get rid of this system Of
extended elections which is such source Of
annoyance, and, might say, 80 great u nui
sance To the people.
AIN willing TO support any measure which
is likely 10 remedy this evil, and the farther it
goes in the way Of diminishing popular senti.
menls, the better like it. am satisfied, from
indications which have observed throughout
my section, no question could be introduced
here, and no change effected which would give !
more general satisfaction to the people than |
would radical change in Ibis system Of cleo.
tlons /
As to a chang. in The rig nt of suffrage, ]
question exceedingly the pulley Of any change
now. have heard some gentlemen express |
their views With irIrrrnce 10 it, and they re-
marked, that while ti;ry would be willing to |
make change 4! another time and under other |
circumstances, they deemed il unwisc to do 80
now, iDasmuch Us It would be likely to produce
d bad effect upon the volunteers now in SER
vice; and | want the Convention to keep in
view the fact, that if We desire to secure the
ratification by the people ofany reforms We may
make, NO should present no amendment 10
them which would be likely to prove uaacccpt
able TO them, and thus perhaps haz !rd the re-
lection OF all Let US See, il possible, that there
shall be no Objectionable feature in it, in order
to secure, the greatest unanmity If its ratilica.
ton. believe that any attempt 10 change the
right Of suffrage, will have the effect Of cndan
gcring all the other amendments that NAV be
adopted, and . therefore hope that it will be
the pleasure Of the Convention to adopt the
amendment Of the gentleman from Smyth, |
(Mr. SHsrrEY,) and proceed to consider the |
other amendments recommended by the Com |
mittee, so that We may secure all the unanim.
ty possible iii the ,atiticaions Of these amend.
mcnt | have risen for the purpose of suggest