Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-05


numbers, among districts of very unequal size The
inequality OF representation arising from this source is
o" e"o'"o"S' AS the increase of population has, of
i'c years. oeeh much more rapid in the western than
inc eastern counties, some of the former contain
twenty tunes as many inhabitants the smallest of the
a''cr aad yet send only equal number of delegates
'"c general assembly The similarity in constitution
between the senate and the house of elepates Mr. JEFF
ierSon considers also evil. einr chosen bv the
same electors at the time and out of the same
suoec's The choice falls, of course on men the same
ueec' iPuoh' 30 that the object of establishing two
orauches namely, to make check on the other, is
destroyed by identify OF interest and principe The
concentration of all the powers governments legsa
I'VE executive and judiciary, in the hands of the legis
at'c oooy makes them, to Mr. Jeterson's expires
son. an elective desPoiism ''rhe judiciary and Il
cuuVe members, dependant on the legislature for
'her subsistence in Office and of them for their
continuance IN IT. li therefore, the legislature
executive and Judiciary powers opposition is likely
10 be made; nor If made, be cticctua because,
IN hat case, they may put their proceedings into the
'ofin OF an act OF assembly, which will render them
obligatory on the other branches. They have accord
lngy, in many instances decided rights which should
nave been left to judiciary controversy and the drec-
toh oi the executive during the whole time of their
session becoming habua and faniliar~ Their right
10 determine what shall be quorum Of their body for
the transaction of Legislative business enables them If
they please 10 Tx upon so small number that their
fundamental character o. representative body will be
lost Mr. Jefferson further considers that the constl-
ton may be altered By the ordinary legislature For
IT was formed by convention of Delegates substituted
IN the place OF the colonial assembly, with no powers
but those OF ordinary legislation and of course ncapa
oie OF establishing perpetual and unalterable frame Of
government.
These defects particularly in the right ofsuage and
OF Representations had long been the subject of com,
p.aih Whoa IN the year 1916, meeting was held al
Winchester, TO devise means for ,encdyin them The
result OF ITS deliberations communicated 10 the peo
PIE IN an address, insisting chiefly the gross inequality
OF representation, aud Recommending deputaion TO
stanton, IN the month of August ensuing of two of the
friends OF reform from each county for the purnose of
advising and adopting measures for electing conyen-
ton OF the people OF this commonwealth Coniorrna
oiy to Tins advice deputaon from nearly forty coun-
ties assembled there, and determined to ask the assis
lance OF the legislature in clectne their object.
iHon9h their petl'ion was rejected, something was
gained oy The enactment OF law or dividing the
INTO twenty four senatorial districts containing each as
well as could be affected without the division OF conn
tes' an equal number Of free white inhabants.n This
was all that was then accomplished. but in the year
1871, "a vote was taken in number of the eastern
counties and 1t found that majority of the free
hodeFS were IN favor OF constitutional rclorpn This
expression of the popular feeling reused The cbanDions
OF the established system, and defence of soon an
peared whicit is the object of The pamphlet before US
10 confute.
The principal arguments urged this defence against
reform IN the points OF suffrage and rcprcsena,n
are first, that attempt apportion representation
in proportion TO the number Of free white inhabitants
VIII awaken bitter jealousy and opposition in those
counties where the slave population is most numerous
OF thesc counties contain, comparatively speaking few
whites not freeboldevs ard ufcoursc will be least benc
ntted by the proposed reform In opposition 10 this ar
Snmen our author alleges The adoption c TIL. princi-
pie by both branches the legislature in the ne dis
tbutlon OF senatorial districts, and also the opinion or
The house OF delegates, expressed for adjusting
Inc constitution OF their body on the same basis
though the bill was finally abandoned on the ground OF
compromise II is argued in the second place that no
practical evil las resulted from thc present system. To
which 1t replied, that the resources of tc state have
been paraiy zed, because that it the interest OF
p the predominant party, under the existing order Of
things, 10 bring them into operation. The venerable
names of the trainers of the constitution are adduced in
support of the freehold qualification and equal repTe
sentaton OF counties Ii IS conendcd on the other SIDE
that they were not the authors of these regulations
but found them established III the colonial system OF 90
vernment' winch the circumstances of their situation
compelled them 10 initiate. They framed the present
constitution ia the midst Of political weakness and CON
fusion, when exposed 10 the attacks of powerful enc
my from abroad and to tue dangers of domestic insur
recton; when the state contained many fries of the
old government, whom it was eXpedient 10 conciaie
by showing much respect possible for old sitI
tIons;' when Tie naughty feelings of a landed arsto
cracy were to be consultcd and when they themselves
were little experienced in the science of government
ANA whatever were the reasons OF admitting these re-
h strcuons the changes which have taken place in the
relative Importance of different parts of the state and
i classes OF the citizens, require their abolition. It is
also objected, that extension of the right of suffrage
would give an undue weight TO the lower classes ata!
10 The interest OF men OF property This argument Is
refuted by the example of other parts of the union
where the privilege has long been exercised to full
extent commended for, without producing any s,cl Ia
ing consequences, and also by lis inconsistency with
another objection from the quarter namely that
an extension of the right would confer dangerous in
uuence on oyergrOwn wealth, and lead corrup!on in
y elections. These the answers hich our author
gives to the principal arguments urged against reform
Ious they appear convincing and tie general tenor Of
bis essay spirited and able. Mr. JcFerson's remarks
have been confirmed by the experience Of more Ian
forty years and the necessity of reformation must be
apparent 70 every dsnteresed man. VIC heartily wish
success 70 the efforts which making to effect it,
ihe object is the removal Of restrictions which are
constant source ofjeaousy and hearburuing which de-
slToy all unity OF purpose and feeling among the nla
bauts OF the state and deprive the majority of that
sscendancy which is essential 10 public spirit and pub
r lie prosperity
In the House Of Representatives., on the 25t nit
Mr.. MERCER offered the following resolutions which,
on his motion, were laid the table and ordered 10 be
printed:
f Resolutions toPrordc Fund far Inn5 improvements