Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-11

Constitution, the number OF our Dsiesfiss cCu.d
be reduced, sag one third, which would give an
annual saving Of more han 81 900 dollars. This
reduci ion in their number. mpS fairly infer,
would produce proportional decrease In the time
of tIansacting the business, and diminish the ex
pense accordingly hat IL, there wouldbe another
saving of more than "a 900. These two sans.
tos ether With the S 900 dollars which Nigh, be
ssvel by aboshing the Council, will amount TO
more tina 10000 dollars, that may be annually
saved TO the state But feeollect this only res
poets the suppor; of The Legislature aud council;
by descending to particulars itiaight be shewn,
that great many exr.vagant expenditure, coui
be curtai.ed, and one third of the whole revenue
annually saved. This great annual saving would
be OF immense utility in the Improvement oil our
state; or it the people wilied 1t, by reducing the
'axes one third it need not be collected.
But the greatest grievance, aud that which pro-
bsblS causes the most dlsc0nteni, IL the unequa!
distribution ofpoli,cal power, 10y nFa oil unequal
representation. Now it is an axiom IN itP bit
canisIn, bat all men in like circumstances, should
possess equal political righ,s; and If equs rights,
by consequence, equal political power, and equal
representation.
II is Perfectly natural and correct for all n'en
to desire the possession of any rights OF which
they may be deprived; and 1t is blberal IN the exs
ueme .or any 10 withhold them. Ihi" un.qu"
representation may produce se'ious evils anc
gri vsnces, because minority can rif'e, as was
eXemplhed in The vote upon The Conven'ion DILL
in .hicb majority of the white population by
leo 900. represented by minority of delegates,
were defeated by minority OF population, repre-
scented by majority OF delegates. The intquaii
ty Is VET greater, becsuse he land holders alone
represented in he Honse of delegate-; the q
ireehoIders being cut off from q voice in the &c
vernment, AMI consequently taxed without heir
~ a.. IL.
probably Constitute majority of the adult wh!;e
male population Of tie State, should be debarred
The privilege OF voice in choosing hose, who
are ~ make laws by which ell 10 be govern
ed! Does so acres OF mountain land add 10 it,
Intelligence OF its pos-essor more than good
cupalion! does 1t argue greater attachment to the
institutions OF our state or make him more trust
worthy? What do facts DISCLOSED This much at
least, that there are in Virginia hundreds of
tiers who indiv idaally paying tax ~, from l
III cents, are entitled TO the right OF suffrasr
while many others, possessing large moued
Capitals, and siayes and other ,aKable property
frrm which considerable revenue is raised, are
denied the privilege OF exeroi@ing the same righ
Upon this feature OF our Constitution, paIpable
injustice IS stamped, and 10 remedy il, a Conven
ton is advisable; because every person, who g,
satisfactory evidence of permanent residence ~,
and attachment. % the STATE, being otherwise quail
Al hough we coOdemn the present great Unequal.
ity of representation, we do nor expect it to D.
made perfectly equal for perfection Governmen'
Is moi attainable, yet wish it to appr Ximate AZ
least SO near, hat a majority may rule. Thi-
can be effected by rep esentation according to
white population, whereby the majori'y mus, b We
tile power. Or il may be do,e. without destroy
ing county representation, by PERM ting each
county to send one delegate and also any county
having white population of or 10000 above
tha' of the least popuous county, TO send an addi-
tional enc. If it b. though, aivisable that pro-
perry should be represented, let representation be
based upon the ratio of white population and tax
alton, by taking the c,un OF y e least popu alton
with is revenue, me OF HI smallest revenue
with Its population las he standard, and establish
Ing the amount OF population ami revenue tor an
additional delegate, tina, The larger and eallhi
er counties may have more power than al pre.ent
Certainly this matter nigh; be arranged, 70
ihrow The powe. into he hands of the ms joritY.
without destroying county representation, and ;hs
| smaller counties, would only lose that portion oil
power which they unjustly hold, while The lar
ger ones would only receive tina. which is heiT
inst due.
Connected with This !here is a coITelatJve quee-
ton OF much less difficult solution, viz shall
1t be submitted The sovereign people them. elves
20 say whether not. ;iieY wish Conyeciion;''
Livery unPrejudiced person will at once answer,
ii shall because solid objection can be urg
Ell against IT,
But iamen;ab!e to he told, our Legislature in
their 7sisdom have refused 10 pass law requiring
The sense at the people to be taken on this point
after considerable discussion and wasting OF tie
Treasury. Why has this been refused the people ,
Tie answer is TOO plain, they canBo; be trusted.
WHAT, the sovereign people, the iountain of all
power, the very Government itself, cannot be
trusted With question of Government, after the
experience too Of half century! How dare few
men in Office, in this manner, dictate 10 those
"bo have clothed them with authority, especially
on such questions. we told that if majority
be in favour OF Convention, hey can attain their
object '.iihout he aid of legislation II, without
the Intervention of the law, polls were open ed by
the friends of reform, what c. edit would be given
to re'urrs msde private authority. They
would re called eE par!e evidence, and il would
be rsld the question siiil undecided Should
the Legislature pass The required law, il will be
the surest means OF deciding lie point and prs
venting excitement and confusion for, in ruth
the peace of the state demands it. In wha other
Ieaceabls manner it can be attained, we know
no., and certainly it ID nor meant that we should
resort t. force
Received, therefore, Tha this meeting do an
prove Of The resolutions introduced By the meet
ing at the i February court, and do agree With the
opinions enleTiained By thai Committee AZ re-
spects the fundamental principles OF ,jii. Comnu-
ni;y.
Resolved, That The sense Of the people should
be taken on oil questions Of right and eXpediency
and especially on thi- question.
Resolved, That as ireemen OF an Independent,
republican state, 1s will ad ,pt any peeceaJ{s
measures which will ensure tho call Of a Conve,.
ton, to amend the present Constitution Of Viz
ginis.
Resolved, also, That Committee OF FIVE be