Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-18

But il is said, that in the representation il
is essential that there should be close and tn,ate
"connerion between the representative and his con-
stituents an fcfore, that the existing princi-
pie of congressional rcpr scntoton, cannot, with
propriety be applied To III representation of the
| people of Virginia in the STATE Legislature. The
force of thi, argument Is not disccrned for assn
redly, the districts might he laid of to- render
the repre- Sc statyc of each Sufficiently acquainted
with local interests, for all practical and useful
purposcs. That lie could not personally know all his
constituents is readily conceded; but such personal
kuowledgris desirable; nor is II attainable
under the present system of representation by co,-
hes without great sacrifice of time and trouble by
tho delegate; without his culivating, on his ma IT.
a Bringing popularity hunting temper, very unfo vor-
able to the correct aud impartial performance of
duty as legislator. Lat it be admitted that del
eyate representing county, personally acuaint-
cd with greater number of his constituents, than
a delegate from district The consequence must
be- that his personal predictions may the more fire.
queutly bias his vote, the pirate advantage of
idiriduds i'll opposition To the general interests of
tue community. IL cannot be denied, that a larg.
portion of that particular, personal legislation,
which is disgrace to statute book, and which
! improperly consumes u.Icl, OF the time of the
General Assembly, proceeds from the encourage
ment afforded, by this very Circumstance, persons
applying for unjust exemptions from the effect of
general laws, exhibiting unreasonable claims for
indulgence, or for the acquisition of pirate emo
| lument, tn the injury Of the public treasury.
With respect to the principle of regarding the
)cderul number, i'll establishing the ratio of repre-
scntation; it ought to be remembered, that nor,
(emphatcally,) no,c is the time when, most proba-
bly,, that principle would be the rule by which the
convention would be governed; for, if Il convention
should at THIS time he called, the sirue-hoiding part
| Of the state, would have decided prcponderance
in that body.
The number of members III the House of Dele
gates, might conveniently be reduced at least one
haT; by which operation the expense of every ses-
sion would be diminished in HEAT proportion, ercn If
The length Of time Shouid be he same as Heretofore
This arrangement might also be made in Il
manner better adapted TO promote the local advau-
tage of every district than the system, in force,
of kco delegates for every county a system, which
frcqucn ly has the effect of destroying altogether
the political influence Of county, by the preva-
icnce of discord diversity Of opinion between its
two representatives.
That the sessions of Il legislature having under
its management the multiarious concerns of so
large 4 state as Virginia, rW generally be of
siderable length, must reasonably be expected -
but this only proves the greater necessity that
lists, for restricting the number of legislators, such
manner to avoid all unnecessary expense
Neither does it follow Gas Mr.. LEIGH seems to sup
pose,) that, it the uouse of Delegates should he
reuccd to oac half its present number, the REFORM
=" cd aSSe nbly, having double duty to perform,
!" nigh think it reasonable to double their wages"
"A small assembly, with the pay which is
received by each member Of the present legislature,
would probably dispatch the same business, with
more celebrity than 4 large one {; because the
bier of members allowed to each committee, might
be advantageously reduced, and other useful ar
engagements might be devised, which cannot be a.
dopted, conveniently, in Il numerous unwicldy bo-
dy of
4. The crscnfirc brlnc. Of the government of
Virginia, appears to me, very strangely and incon-
venicnly organized. Tie patriots of 177G, who
framed our constitution, disguised with the
A
reconcile their minds the itea OF an executive
consisting of single indivi::'. Without consid-
ecug the essential difference between the Chief
Magistrate of our conaoR;ce9}Lt, and the poten,
head of the British monarchy jealousy of erccu-
lire power, (vcry natural to mcn i'll the moment of
emancipation from the chains of yoyoiiy) seems to
have led them 10 the ecirc.ne, of degrading the Co
vernon into mere cyDi,cr According To the sys-
tenn contrivcd by them, he do nDH,iag without
the advice Of council Of eight men, four of whom
may constitute board for the dispatch of business
and, if such board should be equally divided in OPT
Mon, nothing can be done; for the Governor can
not even give the casting vote The only power
he possesses, appears to be- that of refusing
cute an advice of council; in which event. if the
council anil the Governor caunot concur in opinion,
tho wheels of government stopped, and nothing
! as done! The governor, thus checked and control-
ed, and ale To do little, sits generally ut the
council bJard, in solemn and idle state, without en-
joying the privilege Of presiding its DELHI
erations resembling in striking manner, those ia
mons sovarcigns, dcnominatcd in history, les ros
faincants, with long succession of whom, France
was, once, so happily blessed!
Yet, TO make the continuance of our consitu-
ton still more ludcrous,) this governor without
power, this humble an,an,tenSiS, to make known
execute clicts of the council, annually chosen
by joint ballot of both houses of the general assem-
| bly,, from among the most able aud e1perienced
statesmen in country, is almost .o,n,ciiateiy
responsible for his conduct to the representatives of
the people, and after serving three years, cannot
again be elected until four years shall have expired
after he has gone out of office.-rhc council OF
| eight, are liable to- removal in the proportion of
one fourth only of their body, the cud of every
| three years and, Gf not so removedO may remain
in Office for Hfe:-they generally, consist Of men
whose talents, regulations, and influence are by no
means worthy to be compared with the talents, re-
putaton and influence of the governor. Yet, they,
for administering he government, receive salary
| of about me thouslnd dollars, each, per annum !;
while he, for ioiag lulc more than crecutiag their
adriccs and gearing the greet 7,ame'of COVER NOR,
is allowed more than three thousand dollars
! n Systc II Of moTc extraordinary inconsistency,
| Inconvenience, v viii nscally of construction, ca u
scarcely be nina gincd Surely il is expadient IF
Il council b; neccssary) to make some changes in
its organization but perhaps, it would be better
to- abolish 1t altogether ;-conslcring how scanty
the portion of power and patronage vested in our
crcruiire, certainly Is --hov competent the Go
vernon ought to b., ~ exercise those powers iudic-
ous!y without council how effectualy the cir
cumstance Of MS being annually elected, guards a.
gainSt all probable danger of mal-adminjstra ton.
In sucb case ne ATONE would be responsible for all
the Of his administration; instead OF which,
(as matters staud) it is very difficult when a.
ny thing wrong is done by the executive, for tl,e
people TO know, cho is 10 blame, and equally diff
ri tn rfNFFt rt 4.