The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-01-10
HOUSE OE DELEGATES.

RICHMOND Jan. 9th, lSbl
The House was called TO order at IL o'clock
NJ by Speaker CRUTCHFIRLD.
Prayer by Rev. A. DUNCAN, of the Broad
street M Z Church--a most impressive invo-
cation to the Throne OF Grace.
Condition Of Public ABaus.-A message was
received from the Clerk OF the Senate that that
body had agreed to resolution for the ap-
pointment of joint committee to consider
what measur should be adopted by the Gene
raj Assembly OF virginia on the present coAuI-
ton of affairs
The Joint resolution was adopted, and time
taken by the Speaker to appoint House COM
mittee.
| Bius Repoy,ed-The following bills were re-
uorted from committees A bill to amend the
charter of the Winchester and Potomac Rail-
road Company bill making an approprla-
ton for improving the Wilderness Road, in
Greenbrier and Nicholas counties; q bill TO
change the eastern terminus OF the Slavns
Cabin and Summersville Turnpike; bill for
the construction of branch of the Central
Railroad TO Lexington a bill to amend the 4th
section Of an act Incorporating the jefferson
Insurance Company of Albemarle; bill TO
provide for electing members OF a Convention
and to convene The same.
Tae Communicative SPEAKER called over
the committees in order, and afterwards as
signed the following positions TO new mem
hers Mr.. Staples, Committee of Courts Of
Justice; Messrs. Crump and Burke, Commit
Tee on Military Affairs Mr.. Snerrard, Com
mittee of Claims; Mr.. Wood, Committee, Of
Finance Messrs. Morgan and Preston, Com
mittee on Armory Mr. Nelson, Committee on
Library Mr.. Booker, Committee on Lunauc
| tee Ga Privileges and Elections Mr Boo rer,
COMMITTEE on Auditors Office MI Nelson,
O immittee on Clerks Offer Mr.. Jett, Com
mtttee oh Second Auditors Office
The Convention B,H.-rhe dill "to provide
for eiecting members of u Convention, and 10
convene the same" being on its first reading.
Mr.. KEMPER moved thai the bill be read
second time, in order that it might be open to
Il Y n ha ri II NOT hlfty-
| self approve OF all Vt It's provisions, and de-
sired To offer some amendments.
Mr COLLIER said be thought the bill should
not be read the second time the same day, but
pass over under the rules, IKE other bills.
Mr. MYERS said that he had not intended to
par icipuia IN this debate, but that lie must
protest against The objection which had mere
han once teen intefr1sea by his esteem d
friend from Madison. whenever the least delay
was asked tor cunsidera lion of the great ues-
lions before this BODY; namely, that the
importance OF the measures, and the
circumstances by WHICH We are sur
rounded, would brook no delay. Mr..
MYBRs said That the strongest argument
10 his mind ia favor Of deiIbe alton, was the
very imp Jrtance OF the questions presented TO
US. He mad as yet had NO opportunity TO read
the bill. 1t had not been III its printed form
laid upon the desks of members until the
CLERK had nearly finished the first reading Of
IL. He did not ask for useless delay but act
ing as be was under the sanction OF an oath
u little time to ascertain what that duty was.
He would, humble rs he was, II no other
me m her did il, offer some amenakieDts to the
bill, if time were given him TO do so. No man
entered In TO q transaction for the purchase OF
a horse, or of foot Of ground, without con-
sheraton, and yet we are asked TO inaugurate
measursa TO change the organic law, and 10
pass upon the most momsntous questions
without u chancs seing afforded US even 10
think for day. He, fot one, protested against
any such action.
Mr.. SE0AE moved to lay the bill on the
table VI til tomorrow, and urged as reason
for asking the delay, that grave question
had arisen in his MUD as to the constitution
atty OF the bill, as at present framed. His at
teniion had been called to the point but the
night before, aud he had con sideIed ii with all
the care allowed by the precipitation which
seemed 20 have found its way Into our halls Of
legisl ation, and by those cauaes Of excitement
which had disturssS the operations Of his
own Judgment as doubtless they had the
minds OF all considerats people. He pledged
himself TO the House that he designed no fac.
ikonx oppositioL 10 the bili-he would sup
port 1t II he conid-but he had not been aole
TO bring his mild 10 conciusion on the con-
stitutional question 1avstse9, though he
strongly incliped 10 the opinion that tAS ordi-
nary Legislature has no power 70 order,
uhcoaai tlenAiiy, Convention Of the people.
The cali OF q Oou ysa ton was an act OF soye.
reign power, to bs perforl,eG by the people,
only, and the act OF Assembly, pfeserib. ng the
mere forms Of holding the Convention, should