Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-14
vIRGTNIA LEGISLA1URE.
HOUSE or DELEGATES.

on the State OF ,ne Comm Onwealtli, on
theinteresiing c.teston of Convention
of the Pcoplc-Mr. Mercer (of S. i'll the
chair.
The Memorial of thcSiaunton Conven-
ton was first read-iilcn the Counter
Memorial ofthe Minority of :liat Convcn-
t;on-and finally The Report ofthe Select
Committee OH that Memorial.
" will be recolectcd, that this Report
was presented by Mr. Dodd,idge, two or
three weeks ago-iliat ii points out the in
CAPABILITIES of representation and land-tax-
alton, which arise out OF the present con-
stitution and laws-and recommends, at
the same time, that the sense of the Peo-
rle be taken (ltring tie next Spring. us to
a Convention or No Convention-and, if
majority of The People be found in IA
vor ola Convention for certain specified
purposes, that the fact he announced by
Proclamation from the Executive, and the
Convention called.
When these papers were read, MIR.
.Smyth (of Wythe) rose to address the Com
mitice-Afler maxim. some predatory re-
marks, Mr.. :. said, that in examining the
subject under consideration, l,e proposed
TO make the following enquiries
L. Does the existing Constitution i'm
pair the Just rights OF Il majority of the
Community!
.. Can another Constitution he formed
more just, securing the rights of all, and
better adapted TO the state of society?
3. Has an acknowledgement of the de-
frcts of the present Constitution, and
desire TO change it, been expressedby the
majority of the Community ?
H. What should now he done bvthe Ie-
gislatnre
5. Who shall vote on the question
"Shall the Constitution be changed ?"
The Memorial ofihe Staunton Conven-
tion goes far to prove, that the existing
Constitution impairs the JUST rights of a
majority ofthe community. 1t is the ex-
preston ofthe opinions of the representa-
tives of counties, which contain half the
white population of this Commonwealth.
They say, that the majority of the People
are agSrleved by the unequal distribution
of power, which has been made bythe ex-
listing Constitution. We know that they
have spoken truth. Had the Staunton
Convention been elected by no one, their
opinions, in consideration of the respecta-
billy and talents Of the men who compo-
sedthat body, would be entitled TO weight
and the fact which they have stated.
thatth goverDm mt is in the hands of
minority, inhabting a particular section
of the State, being found true, it should
be conclusive on this enquiry.
Then, as half the freeholders are az
grleved, and all the freemen mot freehold
er9 are aggrieved. there can he no doubt
that a majority of the community are az
grle,ed, as The Staunten Memorial de
Clares
But, are not all the counties above the
head of tide-water aggrievcd by the me
quail distribution of representation in the
L.,
aggrieved by the allowance ola Senator
10 the counties of Elizabeth-City, War
wick and York, having perhaps about
thousand militia? Surely, every Just man
taust feel indignant at the injustice which
Is done 10 the district wherein | reside,
composed of fifteen counties several of
them large, pOpulous, and rich compyis-
ing near lou' n Of the Territory of the
State ; containing about fifteen thousand
militia, and upwards Of seventy -seven
thousand free white people, nearly one
seventh part ofthe white population Of the
State-yet, represented by one Senator, al
though fairly entitled to three. This is a
mockery of the right of representations
grIcvous wrong, not to be borne, without
incessant remonstrancea against il, and ey-
cry effort that can be made 10 put an end
TO II as soon as practicable. No one will
'htH "i'us5 Hi tt,lt ~ sec " COLI
timed. All will agree, that it ought TO
be, insome manner, Immediately remedi-
ed.
The answer TO the first enquiry ,,n-
doubtedly is, that the existing CONSTITUTE
on does impair the just rights Of the ma
IorHy OF The community.
But, can another Constitution be form
ed more just, securing tie rights of all.
and better adapted to the state of socie,
~!
To enable us TO answer this enquiry.
let US examine the existing CONSTITUTE
on.
Here allow RE TO say, that considering
ihat this was the first written republican
constitution, think it grand effort ofhu-
man wisdom. acknowledge my gratitude
Ia those who formed it, for the civil u rei-
Sious rights which they secured to us.
acknowledge, that the practical evils,
which VIC have experienced from the ope-
ration of This Constitution, have not been
excessively grievous; but, it becomes my
duty, as representing portion of the West
eTn People, TO shew, that we have suffered
practical eUiis.
First, in taration. The Just rule for the
imposition of taxes is, that all shall pay in
proportion to their wealth. A tax pro-
portioned TO wealth is more Just than one
proportloned to product, or income he
cause, the latter is tax on industry. Has
your system pursued this just rule No, it
mas not. There are in Virginia about two