Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-14
VOL. XXIV...N NO. IOl.

are so intimately interviewer as 10 ensure uniyer-.
sal security. we have all the patriotic feryor OF
Deinocracy' ana all lie systematic regularity APP
pertaining TO property. 1t is remarked by a writer
ol some eminence, that numbers are necessary to
spirit OF liberty, and that property is productive
oil spirit OF order. have the more particularly
examined the subject of election and representa-
ton; because upon these topics the advocates OF
reform are most clamorous. hope have srrc-
ceeded an showing that in their regulation, proper
" cannot, III justice, be wholly disregarded. II
principle and policy require that property should
enter into the qualification Of voters, it becomes
mere question OF expediency with the govern
nent, what species of property, and what amount,
ought to constitute this qualification. Natural
rights are not involved for the whole elective sys-
lem springs ut of state of societys s. is unknown
In a state of nature.
Considerations of prudence and expedicncy,iic-
tate, that the value of such property should not be
great, nor Its acquisition very difficult Being Ye-
SaTded as the evidence of permanent common in
terest and attachment, it ought TO be both visible
& durable The soil upon which we reside & from
which we draw The absolute necessaries of exist
ehce' more than any other species of property,
combines community and generality of interest
with facility of acquisition, and real permanent
duration. The possession of land and tenements,
contributes more than any thing to produce manly
Independence, and elevation Of character. 1t PFC
vents that servility & pliancy of disposition which
100 often mark the conduct of those who are de-
pendant upon others for food and shelter Ispeak
oil general rule. | know that there are persons
"l1lout the qualification OF voters, who are actu-
ated by feelings OF laudahle Independence and pa
tTlousn; and there others who with all The
regal acquisitions, are traitors at heart Ii wouhi
DC an easy matter by instituting a comparison 10
demonstrate the superiority OF land over every
tllng else as the qualification OF voters as the
:" suhclent evidence of permanent common iute-
rest with, and attachment to 1he community
Mr.. Speaker, let us pursue the examination OF
the riIe, which have endeavored to elucidate of
combining numbers and taxable property in its
application to own system of REPRESENTATION
ny this investigation, shall discover the fact
that our western brethren who loudly complain OF
unequal representation, have already more repEe-
sentatives than they are entitled to have agreeabie
to this compound ratio. / submit this calculation
with no feeling OF hostility or prejudice towards
the west, but from desire to prove that its claim
TO greater political weight in the Governments is
not well founded
The last census is taken as q guide in this, cal
culaIon, and the amount of revenue reported
by the Auditor to the present Legislature is as
suned as the criterion OF valuing the taxable pro-
perty.
" hite population west of the Blue
Ridge, $40 countes.) 253,223
Revenue paid west CT the Blue
White population east Of the Blue
Revenue paid east of the Blue
Ridge, $3.50 3d.
If 25S,23s souls, paying So SIG, have SO mem
beTs' then 3oOcs6 souls, paying S2J9,625, ought
at present have. Or, if 5000 souls, paying
Ss259,625, have 134 members, (the present nun
5er) then 253,23s souls, paying $Sl SIG, oughtfo
have only 30 members, 80 less than they at pre-
sent have.
1t would be q difficult and complicated task for
Constitution to undertake to establish this ratio
and TO ascertain with prec,s sion the value Of all the
taxable property, because this value is perpetuay
fuctuatiDg. The entire population of country is,
therefore considered as the best practicable stan
dard Of representation. The entire population OF
Virginia, according to the last census is 065 266
souls. or these, 900, 99l inhabt west Of the Blue
Ridge and 764 ,575 are on tie eastern side of ihe
Blue Ridge
If the whole number Of inhabitants I,Q65 500,
have PA delegates, then 300,99l ought to have
60 delegates, - less than at presents and 764,3Z
ought TO have i5I delegates, 20 more than at pye-
sent
But if to settle the controversy on this subject,
we should in spvit Of compromise adopt the fed
eral ratio, by aiding three flths Of all others 20
the free white population, shall then be con
Quoted TO the following results:
Whites estOf the Blue Ridge 253 .23s
CoioreG 81, 1875 Of whom are 2S652