Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-14
CoMMUMICETIOM
ON THE CONvEN TON.
Concluded.
On The ine1uQlitu of RepreselifdiiVn


presentation may be, in regard TO situation az
constituent Denter of the fede:a! union, it res-
poets ourselves, IL has not been perceived that any
practical evil has resulted from il.
This State seems naturally TO be divided into
two great sections; the mountain country, and the
country below. w are accustomed however, in con-
siderng this subject, to subdivide each ofthese
tons into two others All that part lying beyond the
Allegheny mountains being usually denominated the
Western District What lies betw the Allegheny
and the Blue Ridge. the valley District From the
mountains to tide water, at the Falls of the Rivers,
is termed the Middle ID strict And all below, 10
the ocean, the Eastern District.
Now, whatever difference of interests may ex-
st between one District and anothef, there cannot,
II may tie presumed, be any great diversity between
the different sections of the same District. But,
even if there was, there is entire district,
any SECTION of district, but hat sends sufficient
number OF Representatives to guard their rights
For in the Western District, a population of
l47 ,5Ii souls, sends % Representatives-In the
valley, 1917 sends % Representatives. In
the Middle District, 5l0,577 send "a Representa-
lives. And in the Eastern District, 25l, lo4 send
% Representatives. So that those Districts from
whence the greatest clamor 10 arise (the
Western and Valley Disricts) those that may
be supposed TO be the most Homogeneous in inter
ests and pursuits, and have, therefore, the least
son TO complain. ,
Ii any real cause OF compla int proceed from this
source, it should be looked for in the Middle and
Lower Districts, where there is some variation in
the interests and pursuits of the inhabitants. But,
from these, with the exception of few counties in
the North West of the Middle District, we
have but little complaint
1t is not so much on account of the inequality Of
Representation that we have any csuse
plain. Our real grievances will be found in the too
srea; number OF our Representatives-in the
tTeme length of the Sessions of the LegslatuIe--
and in the enormous and unreasonable expense of
Legislation. The benefits derived from their la
beurs being out OF all proportion to the price
have TO pay for them-But these are not among
the sins IF the Constitution; they constitute,
merely the errors Of Legislation. And the
edy is already as completely within the power of
the Legislature as any eI alton of the Constitution
could possibly make it, Indeed, il is believ ed, il
may be safely asserted, that no constitution that
ever has been formed, that probably ever will be
again, imposes fewer restrictions on legislative
! power than that which now have. But, il will
be IN vain to confer power, il the department on
which IT Is conferred refuses, neglecis TO exercise
1t. Where, is there any thing in the Constitution
to forbid, or prevent the Legislature from refor ming
these abuses! Even the so much desired equali-
cation Of representation is perfectly within their
power. The Constitution only provides, in this
respect, that there shall be counties; and that, in
each, two Representatives sball be elected. But,
as TO the number and size Of the counties, or the
population each shall rontsn it s left entirely with
the Legislature to decide. And they have not
SCRUBBED TO divide large counties into small ones
10 consolidate small counties into large ones, is
! but the exercise OF the power A reorgani-
cation OF the counties will cure all these evils, and
remove all just of complaint in these respects.
Even the RIgh, of Suffrage may be greatly extend
ed, and the ease and comfort OF the people greatly
increased, by the establishment of Townships
Within which all votes may be taken; all local
concerns adjusted; and all resident hOase-keepers
be allowed TO vote. for all their local OtfceTs.-
But, the truth of the matter is, that the OF
all their dissatisfaction lies much deeper than
/ apt, at first, 10 imssine.
| Whatever may be the ostensible reasons for
calling Convention, il 10 believed, the real officer
is power. The power TO govern the Stale, and TO
tax The inhabitants of the country below, appear 10
be the real objects of these mountain people The
alteration OF the Constitution is but the means 70 be
used Tor the accomplishment of their purpose.
They are a sensible, intelligent OF men,
They are thinking, prudent, cautious, calculating
people; are always wide awake to whatever con-
Germs themj and keep their eyes constantly and
Oily fixed upon the means OF enlarging their own
powers and maturing schemes for their own agefan-
dizemens They have acuteness and pene tIaiion
about them which catches al the first glimpse, the
whole view of every subject connected within theii
interests, while appear see with difficulty the
most obvious and glsring truths They readily
perceive tuo or three reasons why our slaves and
people OF colour should be excluded from represent
! tation, while we have been able 10 dscoy Ell
eUeH one, why, they ought 10 be included. They
. AnOW thdiB Dy excluding tnem anu DdeluH repre-
, senation upon the numerical principle, including
the white population alone, they will rise nearly to
level with US, ia the number OF their Represents
iiVes. And by adopting some low ratio, 5000
for instance, their white population, amounting TO
25l ,Sl6, will give them about so while reduced
by the exclusion OF slaves and eoloured people, Ia
$40 sos, would not give us more than about 90
T Representatives. Whereas, should the CoDstiiu-
ton remain unslere1 and the Representation be
equaliZedby merely recognizing the counties, az
to give each population of 10000 inhabitants,
two Representation county would not give
them than about 30, while should still
have, at least, 40 Representatives.
They knew, 100, that according to their own
maxim, " that representation and taxation ought
TO go together" If our slaves should be exclude
as persons they would be obliged, upon their own
principles, to consent that they should be exempt
ed from taxation. And that the tax raised from
this description Of people, ould have TO be added
10 the land tax, Of which they would have bear
their due proportion. But il they can succeed in
excluding them merely as property, We should not
then have IL in our power 10 oppose sDy lawful inn
pediu,ent TO their being taxed IN common with any
other species OF property. And that all that Dor
ton OF The slave lax which would otherwise have
to be added to their lend tax Gin they should
be excluded as persons would by that msnoeavre
be shou'dereI off from them, and ssdded upon US .
(as they no doubt ihpkj the proper pack horses Of
the nation.
BY the Report Of The Auditor to The last session
of the Legislature, II appeals that the tax upon
lands amounts 10 The Of LAT 1897 81, and that
i upon slaves to S1l4 462 80, which compared with
Tie land tax, Is In the proportion Of TO very
| nearly.