Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-05-28


quences' of such fluctuations.
Your memOrialists believe, that a similar
provision in the Constitution SfVirginia, wond
| be attended with the same advantages. IL n
fair and Just representation be desirable, we
can see no reason why the Counties of War
wick, Tyler. and Nicholas, containing an ag
grpgate population according to the last
census) of 5788 souls, and paying taxes
amounting in all to S1532, should have an
equal weight in the House of Delegates, with
the Counties Of Loudoun, Frederick, and
Fauquer, which contain, according 10 the same
census, YO5ll souls and nav taxes In the
amount Of Sg7 81 and 95 cents.
| Your mem orialists cannot suppose. that the
representatives of districts would mot he ~.
faithful 10 their Constituents az the r.presen-
tatives Of counties. We believe that our Dele
gates in Congress (who represent very large
Districts) have been, and ever will be as at
tentive 10 the local interests of their Consti-
tuents, as the representatives of Counties in
the State Legislature. tits the pride and in
deed the fundamental principle Of Republi-
can Government, that the will Of the MAORI
~ should govern. But the present system
of allowing two Delegates TO each county,
whatever be its population, is calculated to
PROSTATE this cardinal principle, and to subject
the majority to the will Of the minority. This
OF time. 1t might result from the present
constitution, that If any portion of the State
should become nearly depopulated. the few
inhabitants remaining in the deserted section,
would retain the same political weight as
more numerous population possessed before.
Al association of wealthy individuals, might
become the landlords ola county-send their
Delegates TO the Legislature, and balance the
political weight of the most populous county
10 the Commonwealth. And indeed, under
our present system, the period may arrive,
when zoe TOO may IN substance have U,r" rotten
ooroughs. To say, that we have as yet felt
no practical oppression under this state of
things, is precisely the same argument which
might be urged in favour Of Monarchy, If COM
plants were made against the theory of such
government. during the reign of mild, in
fel.igent, aHd patriotic prince. 1t is the
province of wisdom, and the duty of free
people, not only to relieve themselves from
actual oppression, but to prevent il, by guarding
IN due time against all dangerous contin-
gpncies.
Your memnralists are moreover Of opinion, tina,
the House ct Delegates is 100 numerous We be-
i;eve that smaller number Of utatives from
dslric's apporOned upon equal principles, and that
number TO he augmented (within proper Iimii) ac-
cordng TO the increasing pops'ation Of the STATE,
would he most conducive TO the public interest. We
| are persuaded, that such system would h- founded
in greater Justice and equality, and would remove
all otJectioos TO the future division OF counties for
judicial purposes, or whenever the convenience of
their inhabitants may IN other respects require such
division.
u - evident that proper reduction Of the number
OF Delegates would greatly diu,irisli the expenses Of
governmeut--We believe too, that such reduction
would have tendency to curtaii the duration of the
sessions, (Which has OF late years become y griey-
ance y anu that the greater order and dispatch OF
public business, which would iherebv be attained.
would ensure the service in tie General Assembly
OF many valuable aud intelligent citizens who ammo
| conveniently spare, from their private occuusiions
the time heretofore annually consumed in L. q
greater latitude Of choice would thus he presented
10 the people, while the inducemeni 10 make irdi.
cous selections Of delegates would me increased.
We also beiieve, that some of the duties hereto
lore exercised by the Legislature, aud which have
| annuity consumed no small portion OF their lime
m,ghi with great advantage be transferred TO some
| Other tribunal.
Yonr memoraIiss moreover consider the orgnni
| za,on Of, The Executive Branch Of the Government
40 be very observation-disclosures expressing any opin
I'm as 10 The sapsdiency Of re.iuug ihe Executive
Council, we objec, to The tenure by which ,hr mem.
bers OF thai body hold their Office 10 the very oaious
process Wy which their removal j. effectcd-to the
ni9hner IN which he powers Of the Exec are dis
'r'buied, End 10 the number of wh,cb IN, Council
Consists. Frequeat cleo rs essential To Tie
parity Of the Executive, Of he Legisiativ. b,a amen
OF The government. The wienn,aI removal of criy
'wo nj that body, might impose UIOn Dissatisfied
community, portion III It's meUbers for The space o
.weive years, however offensive their character an
cnnduol mgri hr.-As TO The uiode Of their remov al
- mas already eScitd sufficient disapp, obatiop, 10
| reader tommen unnecessary. The Executive Ms
At present consumed, sufficiently RESPONSIBLE,
for iIs oonduo.-The Governor Craving no cover Il,
oct without the ADVICE Of he Council, being denied
I've" he privilege of casting vote, can be rospon.
sle, only for failing ocompy with adv,c. WHICH he
may consider objectionable or for aching I'm couCor
o'i'y Herewith, r.her ,hnn suffer the VIII els of GO.
| vernment 10 sIard ~. Tne Council are resnops
| bile ONLY for bal Hdvic-, failure to give apy
while heir NUMBER d'mnishes their responsibility
| We are therefore Of opinion thar new orgaozs
ION 81 the Executive branch of The goyerument is
| dSsir abb .--Ite great expenditure Of pubic money
whcD would .Gnuay bessaved, by the change sve
ges ed ~ his memorial, must be obvious to every re-
a9c'i"g mud
| You moraiiss moreover entertain serious
| doubts, whether even haJf the free whe men Of this
eom uiuDwsnlfh, are 'eIfescnted in the Legislature
| THIS : suffice respecting which ,bink there
Should De no dobf, so long the rights OF the
NY are fespecied,-or SO long We pretend 10 as.
ume ne appe"lioo Of republicans. 1.-THE hsIf-,hs
ioorib--or even mHch smaller portion of the free
| white OF v. gins, BE- disfrsnchised and un,en.
resented, must be obvious, that - very large urn.
portion Of hose, who have safficient evidence of
permanent common interest with aud atIac MI IN
the community, Instead Of enjoying, are actually de-
deed, wogid we acquiesce IN the opiniou, that so
many of the citizens Of Virginia are devoid of attach
men TO their country, Hnd Of Interest in its welfare
Is more than probable, ths, AT the period of The
adoption Of The present constitution, while the pur
SUITS oi our coUonye,e0 we're almost universally 40
ricultUra-lhe population of The country small aud
scsuered-and property in the soil generaLy epio,-
ed--tbe present RESTRICTION upon the right OF suf-
irage, excluded but very small portion Of the COM
muniiy ilom the exercise Of that privilege Bu,
since that period, The rapid progress of
more dense population, and the enhanced value OF
iaods have augmented the price Of the freebodsi.
ven new direction TO the pursuits of many of our
citizens, aud greatly diminished the reiafirs propo,.
ton OF legally qualified voters. A ros,s,on az This
feature OF The constitutions, is therefore entitled M
ms TINE, TO pecuIi'r considers ION Your meoot,al
lists are not the advocates Of universal suf,aye b,