Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-02
. rup PRESIDENT OF TIE SENATE Of VIA

GlNlA. u
h.reby tender nv resignation Of the seat held BY
me in the Senate of Virginia the representative Oh
che CITY of Richmond to take effect on the last CAV Oh
the present session. IL was my purpose not Whom
.ome hesitation and at little sacrifice oil personal
ease and interest," to occupy that seat ior sss
sion at least should my life be spared and possibly 70
,ba end of the term for which was elected But the
sc,iop of the General Assembly in altering their
own constitutional organization by passng the act 70
ecure representation in the General Assembly ior coun
ties cities senatorial and election districts Within 'ne
power of the public enemy, and the stu more recent
proceedings of the Senate in surrenderng tner own
p;vieges and violating mne have left me no alterna-
- TThsv satisfy me that my continuance in the
senate can in no probabilitybeneit my constituents
mr. INV country: and if this otherwise could mol,
consistently with my own of propriey, consent TO
.t under the new Organization The 10 IN my
OPINION DISCREPANCIES the Legislative department as con-
t,ped by the organic Law OF the STATE ~ assuming, rs
n does 10 make lawful oS members Jatreti oeo, 10y
ason of the final expiration OF their TERMS W resume
Lneir vacated seats aud reoccupy them-iI may pc
during life Against that measure, accomplished, III
nat 6y the influence and votes OF members many o.
whom might, aud some OF WHOM III al PooApu''y' w,
themselves reap the advantage thereby proposed Of
oersoal distinction and Pecunary gain eltt my duty
m nfotest-aud demanded my right, guaranteed ny al
rule OF the Senate 10 enter that protest Oh sne
rua sMY Claim was rejected II was aecidea oy lne
,hair and the decision affirmed on al appeal thai the
~, Journal upon the determination OF any question:
neaus nothing more than that he may ask the leave Of
he Senate reducing the rule 10 solemn honent
Tor that leave might DC asked without the rule
Suupose however, this its meaning-that ne
,;yht nave leave 70 ask leave the Senate might
snt IL But DENYING my claim, the ground OF ab'
nut right they refused grant act Oi grace
Ar favor: thus IN republican Senate, denying rlgn
r favor if such it be- which, not even servlle ma
orty OF ministerial Lords, 80 lar Us have iouhu'er
Jared since the days Of Charles the Second, or before
~ withhold from their opponents Various o6Jectlohs
ire u,aJ, Ii was said Iuat too hong aud argu-
nsn,atye | offered TO show numerous precedenis
anger andaur more argumentAtive. Then WAS sald
mere MAS passage in it rejecting ON members as haS-
NO ,oted Oh question IN which, HS oonce'eui they
we're interested. Il offered 10 expnnge the PassaSe
Voted dov7i then proposed, instead VI entering my
rolest ON the Journal 10 have IL pnnted-enure or
uutilated-anodg the documents 1t was said that IL
saS no document but my PuYate' paper, anu
nj. annicauon was also Voted d0On. pro-
,osed 70 print it as my paper NJ the emu VI
he public document II was OBJ ected that the pruning
you'd exDe the Common wealth 10 expense, ana Uo'ea
.h,Oa offered 10 have il printed at my own COST
t,o,d docn Finding that fAs one objection was
awaited another was started finally moved 10 reler
the protest the COMMITTEE on Privileges ana Eecuo'
nm Instructions 10 consult the parliamentary Prece-
I,hts u examine whether there was III form or SUD
lance ANYTHING in it justly excepuOGab'e, and 10 point
mi IN what particulars. Even tnis small requisite lot
Al enquiry touching privilege, important 10 every
nemuer of the Senate, rarey refused ween asked now
yer frivolous the object, was denied. Every ehol'
throughout was USED 10 enbarrass my proposltohs oy
alls oil the previous quesLon-the Legislative gaToe-
nd other parliamentary devices TO suie discussion ana
Jude propositions when could not be readily reiuted.
might assign other reasons Tor the step now JAKE,
,oubless more manifest others than even 10 myse
prefer however, TO rest 1t chiefly on the recent pro-
,,,dings in the House and Senate. The expAhatohs
dina tn HON
uents and TO myself end necessary 10 avoid mlscon'
.,ruction would gladly accompany them with the ie'
ycted protest ut nIs might be regarded as an appeal
W - -.ysui the Senate Tor that which ciaimed IL
'Oianing, N alother tUrm JF nIy osst that nublie
through the Neuate records, which the malo.y had
manifested determination 10 prevent; paper
u itself Ol ht-' Or CuuSc ueuCe aud which, should
ever attract passing notice, viii it, doubt
he strenuous efforts made suppress il. may be per-
uted, nevertheless Presume without improperly
Inehcv,- TO sa:, HE bare proportions il affirmed
''fPPeu OF "e ar5uments and authorities r&ed 10 sus-
These propC,, ions were
l. That Ia. a,t was no, Warranted lJy the UuIsutu.
ton.
lIV That il was in form and effect, palplbe, unpre
.edented aud dangerous breach Of the Constitution and
exclusive privilege of each House OF the General As
Senibly to Judge Of the elections, qualifications and
lurns OF Its own members"
~. That it binding, it would not only re-admit to
in both Houses members cOnstitutOpaHy defuuct
IS it passed the Senate) might give admission to
.r4itors now in open rebellion against the State;
Ia Directing to the votes Of members now holding
eats might themselves obtain through that act
distinction or profit imputed corrupt motive. ]
;au well believe that many an honest mau may, under
.he unconscious niseDce oi selflhteres judg.
nent EithOut being perverted at heart; and it on
his Aown and universally admitted tendency of self
interest to blind the judgment that my objection was
,oely founded Suffer nae, sir, 10 add that whatever
warmth may have manifested in the course of the
proceedings a1verted TO- il was but temporary; and
cave Ihe Senate with feeling of resentment towards
any member, however hsrshly | may Conceive myself
70 have been treated with unchanged respect aud
friendship which trust il recprocated or many OF its
members, and With undimnished esteem for the integ
rity of its presiding officer both III public and private
life.
In conclusion, respectfully ask that writ of elec-
ion be issued TO supply the vacancy occasoned by my
resignation. JOnN ROBERTSON.