Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-05-08

Convention proposed. should declare against that
measure. il would be Put TO rest for one genera
ton at least. This consequence is obvious TO the
most superficial observer The rejection OF the
bill then, It oud scem, could only have proceed
ed from belief apprehension at least, that the |
result would have been unfavourable 10 the wish |
rs oil the opposers of Convention. The bare
suspicion of such a motive is calculated to awaken
passions unfriehdy to just decision OF the mo
menous questions 10 which the occasion gives rise
and is deeply TO be deploed II II really existed,
u ~ the assertion Of principle ut war with all
the received notions OF Republican Government.
l, is such departure from the duty which public
servants owe TO the people, as demands, and n.ust
receive, unqualified disspprobsticn.
The members of this meeting deeply impressed
with the magnitude and delicate nature OF the task
oil altering the form al Government under which
hey have so long lived, nave given to the sub
ject that dispa -siona,e aud deliberate attention
which Is importance merits 1t has been under
pubic discussion for years they have not turned
deaf ear TO the arguments OF those who diiter
with hem in opinion, and The conclusion to which
their best judsue has led them is, that the Con-
stitution OF this State contains -ome RADICAL de-
iecis The occasion does no, call tor an elaborate
exposition of them; they will, however, mention
| some OF the most obvious. The great improve
Dent which the modern- have effecI ed in the sci-
| ence OF Government, is the principle oil Repre-
fundamental principle the Trainer. OF our Constitu-
ton have committed capital enor. Nheiher the
representation be OF persons or property, or COM
pounded Of BOTH it should be appor,ioned a
Inong the community 10y some rule of eGuy
But by our Constitution 1t is given in equal por-
lions to sections of the State, unequal in extent
equal In wealth. and unequal in population. The
Practical effect OF This appOrtionment Is to place
lie powers OF Government in the hands OF those
who represent minority OF the people, and an In
considerable portion OF the territory AMI wealth oi
the State. Yet, say the opponents of change no
practical evil has resulted. Can this be true! Is
there nothing of science in Government! IL il ut
teTiy incapable OF bel & resolved irto elementary
principler? Are theory aud practice much at
variance. ltso, we may withtruth e1 claim "about
! forms OF Government, let fools contest" The
members OF this meeting are not OF that opinion.
They think that in Government as in other things
causes produce their natural effects They feel
that the opposition which they now have to en-
counter la their endeavors effect other sslutary
changes In The Constitution, is owing TO this We
~ inequality IN the superintendent Of representa-
ton. The effect OF II Is equally evident IN the
ordinary operations of the Government. When
from the great delays in some OF the old District
Courts, the large aud populous counties called fol
an amelioraton of The system, II b~cRme necee-
ssry to concilia,e the small counties. If frem
the exteHt, population and business OF the large
|.
rior Court in each of them, the small counties
would have their Courts also. Having all equal
/ representation they claim equality in every
thug. TO CRAFTY that pride ofrquali'y the num-
Der of the General Court liz increased, and Jud-
ges, CofBmonw ealths Atornies, &c. paid by
the large Counties, TO hold Courts ia the small
| ones, where there are causes to try. Ny,
more, at tins very moment whilst judges ibus paid
are riding from one small county TO another, and
going through the iormality OF opening court, 10
! DO iIItlo more than TO certify ih- allowance TO
! the Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk, and Jaor, and sign
, an adjouTning order, the large, popu.ous and
! wealthy Counties. composing the I0lb Judicial
! Circuit, are without Judge The doors oftheir
Court houses closed and they driven TO the
J humility of asking jail delivery, as n boon n,
the hands q! Jutge OF some neighbouring circuit
! The small counties chiefly below tide wa
tie tLey, therefore, do not feel the of turn
F, pike roads End canals. The undue prepond ersnce
which they possess in the Legislature, Is seen 6;
1 felt in the slow progress which Virginia has
made in improvement. Seeing no hope of assis-
/! lance at home, that portion Of The slate which
suffers most fos the want of these important faci
/ lilies is ready to iI:ow Itself into the arms OF The
/ National Government and To abet the exercise
of power against winch Virginia has prcte-tet
| so loudly. These but samples OF the evils
which have arisen from placing the Government
! in the hands oi a minority. They the genuine
trainers oil Our constitution in approaching rep,e-
sentation. The nam spring oil buln.n acuoI af-
ter all is seIf-oye. The most devoted patriot i.
liable 10 be blinded by II. All Governments
should be bottomed upon ii. We are never So sure
OF the good Offices OF another as when we
make it Ills Interest 20 serve And although
there may bright exceptions to the irfI
OF tie selfish principle, yet, It is with the mas
OF mankind that government has TO deal The eff
fecis which have traced to the unequal d,.tri-
button OF power made by our Constitution reflect
no peculiar di-cfedH. on our brethren OF The small
counties; they prove that they like other men arr.
blinded 10y self-loye. II reruains Tor the large
counties TO awaken and take care of themselves.
| The Itou,e OF Delegates is too numerous -- Ihs
delays orcasIoHed ~ the slow NOV ements of this
! UnwIedy body and the unsecouniabls denial TO
the Senate Of the power TO originate bills, u MAJ
be asserted with confidence, give 10 the annual
sessions OF the General Assembly, length dou
BILE what would be necessary under a pIopef u,o.
dIhcatio0. The expenses Of the last session eK
ceeGed s 100, O00--lfere then an annual saving
OF 500 goo might be effected: n incon.idsfable
IN these times of pecInisTy distress II ,ynud
pay the interest on sum sufficient TO make ,o,,e
than 'hres hundred miles o! TuInIike road. Rat
the people OF the ide wster Country, wanl ma
turnpike roads. Paying but small portion Of :,
they prefer having the money expended amonss,
themselves upon he 81 es=nt plan. Ibis euutmous
unnecessary eXPehdi ure Is Orcasioned in patt bv
the unwise resurrection the Senate, as # tn
too, were Tot The representatives Of he oeo,le 1,
ia part by the undue representation of the small
counties. IL is generally agreed that the rvis,o,o
OF the irsmeIs OF the Constitution Of the II =
~ no where more conspicuous than in the now
zion tor future amendments. They did moi claim
for the work of fheir hands The PEI fectioo which
he n inI y att,tI