Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-06


Mr.. CABELL said, that the subject had under
gone ample discussion and he did not suppose
that 1t in his power to influence the decision of
the Senate. But he felt it due to himself and to his
constituents, to explain the grounds Of the vote he
about to give. The debate had assumed u wide
and dscursive character and various questions seem
ed in it's progress, to elicit strong emotion and TO
perpleX the minds of members. But it required no
unusual discernmcnt to perceive the question
that was the real of difficulty and influenced
every other question. 1t the range of selcc-
tion important that object was to the character
ofthe Convention. 1t was not the extension of the
right OF Suffrage great that Sube in all its
bearings. The point of real embarrassment was the
adjustment of the of representation in Conven-
tton and the effect of that ratio, upon the future po
tlca power of the eastern and western sections of
the Commonwealth.
The amendment proposed BY the member from
chesterfield had for its principal object to substitute
IN the place fthe system ofgraduatcd county repre-
sanitation proposed IN the original BILL that o. equal
representation from the present Senatorial districts of
the state The amendment to the amendment sug-
gcsted by the member from Harrison went to gradu-
ate the representation from these districts on the ba
sis ofthe white population of the State, shewn bv
the federal census of 1890. The amendment of the
member from Harrison, Mr.. c. thought after givinr
to the subject much reflection ought not prevail
Whatever may have been his opposition to Conver-
tioa, now that majority of his constituents and
majority fine people of the state called for the rnea-
sure he had come to the seat of government firmly
determined to CONT butte every thing in his power to
carry their wishes into effect. He had foreseen the
conflict OF interests and the angry feelings that would
arise from the discussion of the subject under the
consideration of the Senate and he had never known
an occasion on which there was greater neccSStv for
the exercise of spirit Of mutual Difference and CON
Cession. Prompted by the spirit OF concation he
had until very recently, felt disposed to wave all
objections connected With the peculiar situation OF
the cast, and to vote for organizing the Convention
on the sole basis OF the white population of the
State. But the question assumed new aspect
phe single standard of white population was now
hi ,rrt,f
measure which the west had right to demand and
the east could cot with Justice refuse. Upon this
ground AIR. O. was not prepared TO make the cOnccs-
sion required. On the contrary, viewing the subject
IN the hight IN which it presented Itself to his mind he
vas compelled to say. THAT it involved most deli
cate question, which he felt it his duty to avoid if
possible, any premature commitment and to leave for
adjustment III appropriate place, in the Con
Tention about to be formed, where alone he verv
sure that his constituents wished and expected
y To be brought into discussion.
In order to ascertain with precision the bearing OF
7e various schemes OF representation presented by
the original BILL and the two amendments under con-
slderation, 1t would be eXpedicnt to fix upon COM
mon maximum to the amount of representation in
Convention, and to rcfe all the plans it. as stan
dard of comparison. The original bill proposed u
Convention of IA members. The amendment retu-
ced the number to 90. And the amendment TO the
amendment called for body of 100. For his own
part, he preferred the smallest number mentioned;
and he would select that the measure of compar
SON. 10 ascertain the apportomnent of representa-
ton in Convention of &c members, based on white
population presented by the federal census of $500
Dir. &. said he had availcd himself of a calculation
made by member Of the other house OF Assembly
who represented Il county situated beyond the Blue
Ridge ofmountans. The statement appeared to be
Drawn UP with great care and as far ne could per-
Ccive, was entirely accurate. Whatever objection
might be made to this scheme, the ground OF n
transfer by legislation, of fractions from district to
district, in order TO effect representation of the
whole people it seemed to do Justice upon the assn
nled basis, 10 every portion Of The state. III like
inanner, order 10 ascertain the proper apportol-
ment OH combined basis of taXacion and population
IL would refer statement made by another ncin-
Der Of the House Of Delegates, representing conn
~ on the eastern side of the Ridge.
With the lids referred to and the materials az the
table of the Senate Mr.. G.. enabled to stale the
effects of the different plans OF representation Oh the
political situation OF the eastern and western parts OF
the state.
In Convention OF 90 members, the country ea st
Of the Blue Ridge would have n majority as follows:
On the scale of graduated county rcprescn-
tation as presented in the bill from the House
OF Delegates, IS
On the proportion fixed in the amendment
TO the amendment, of representation by soma
torial DISTRICTS on the basis Of white popuu-
tIon, 16
On the plan OF equal representation from
the senatorial districts, suggested by the
amendment of the Senator from Chesterfield, It
On the scheme of equal county represent
ton, p
On the combined basis oftaxation andrcpre-
sentation SO
Phis table of results shcws concIus,vc,y that the
whole amount of the difference between the two
proposed plans of representation by senatorial dis
rlcts, is only eight members the eastern majority,
being in the twenty-four in the other siX-
teen. So far az members entered into The question,
an increase diminution Of eight MEMBERS consti-
tntcd the whole ground Of separation An castern
majority existing in either case, the difference, Mr..
g. had hoped would be surrendered by the western
delegation IF this should be insisted on, he would
respectfully ask the representatives. ofthe west, who
ther they will have yielded any thing TO the casis The
principle ofequal county representation had been gr
rendered in the other branch Of The Lcgisiaturc.-
The scheme of county repres eutation would he
altogether rein1uisbed 10 The Senate, In favor oftbc
district system let Tho district system be based OH