Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-28

against the unequal taxation which was apprchendca
from basing the House of Delegates ON numbers
alone. n Senate so constituted. particularly when
It's numbers are extended (as he hoped it would be ex
tended to sc, and he intended to fill the blank with
that nenber) it would give every degree of security
which could be wished for He was satisfied in the
5elef, that security would be obtained-he used the
word security, as gentlemen objected To guarantee
III the Senate constitute ed. He NAV he mis-
taken, though he had not much confidence in his
opinion, but it would have the effect he mentioned if
the basis were so modified. He adverted 10 the re
resolution offered by the gentleman from FauQuier
which was IN the following words--
Resolved. That in the superintendent of represen
taon IN the Senate, regard shall be had to taxation
excrsvely that the Senate shall consist ofthrty six
members, and shall have the same Legislative pow
ers, III all respects as the House of Delegates and all
appointments referred by the Constitution to both
branches of the Legislature, shall be made by con-
current vote OF both Houses
his appeared to him to give to the Senate q power
OF originating tax bis-to give them concurrent
power. Even the United States Senate has not this
Power-lt was prohibited by the Constitution But
IT this proposition of the gentleman from Fauouier
prevail, 1t will give to the Senate a power of orpi
mating money bills which is not en;oved by any other
Senute. He had strong prediction for his PROMO
sition: lie had no hesitation to allow the Senate to
exercise the power of on the measures of the
House of Delegates. He had experience in this mat
'er and he preferred the practice of the Virginia Sc,
nate to that or the United ates. The last year he
of tho Stotos
| IL reported almost as many Bills the House of Re
Presentatives. 1t was customary TO present memoir
als TO the Senate, and to originate Bills thereon az
ter they had been rejected by the House of Repre-
sentatives. He recollccted this perfectly He had
no doubt, that this subject beint so lone unde, tho
consideration Of the Committee gentlemen had made
up their minds upon it. He would therefore leave it
70 the consideration of the Committee. He was pre
pared TO listen to the arguments of gentlemen and he
would adopt that proposition which to him appeared
best.
Mr. DoDDRIDGE moved to amend the amendment
by striking out al after the word based" and inser
ting the foowing:--
Son tho whole number of free VIII lite persons, in
eaing those bound to service for term ofyears, and
taxation combined"
Mr. TAzEwELL submitted to the Chair whether
the motion was in order. The gentleman from
Goochland MIR. Peasants) had moved an amendment
10 the original proposton-the gentleman trrm Eau
QUEER Mr.. Scott had moved aa amendment to that
amendment, and now the gentleman from Brooke,
oilers all amendment to amendment
The CHAR decided that the motion was in order
he gentleman from Fauquer having merely given
notice of his intention to offer an amendment nj
proper time, but not having offered it.
Mr. G. JOHNSON said, difficulty Oh the point of
order could arise in regard to this proposton--nor
would any difficulty be thrown in the way of the
gentleman from Fauquier. The question now before
the committee, related to the comparative me,ts of
the two propositions relative the federal and he
compound basis. Whether he should afterwards
prefer the simple proposition of the gentleman from
fauquler to both, he could not now say, but he did
not hesitate to say that of the propositions now pre-
scented TO him for his choIce--fhe federal and com
pound basis, hc should prefer the federal numbers
he knew that on the minds of the people there was
an unpleasant impression respecting the introduction
OF the federal numbers in any way int the Stare
but he was not to be deuded by Names
Tie looked 10 the character ut the thing and exam
med the consequences, whether If the mixed basis or
the federal numbers were adopted the superintendent
| OF power would be nearly the same. He was indu
ced 10 iavor the principles of the federal numbers
because II was simple In its character, easily To he
ascertained, known to the laws-had been bab;tpav
applied IN practlce-was not variable at the will of
the Legislature nor leaving with them The discre
ton to change it as they might think fit Phe com
pound basis was liable to these objections and this
led him to vote for the federal numbers and against
this amendment s
Mr. DoDDRIDes said he would make but very
ley remarks. If any thing was due to the feeIinGs
OF nose, who, If not the majority are large MINOR
ty, 1t Should impress itself now IF the east should
OBTAIN the mixed basis in either House. the western
people will believe it to be an improper decision nj
tne convention. As 10 numbers if there be any
cnange, he would prefer to that the combined basis
OF persons and taxation. The effect would not he the
same The people of color in the east were iacreas
ing 'h a ratio greater than the whites. From 1870
the ratio OF increase Of blacks had been IA and
hactloI, while that of the whites had been but "a
ana traction The increase of the blacks will be
et, g'eatef hereafter by the increase of population
and the Improvement of the lands in the ,ves, tbe
amount OF taxes made to the revenue has increased
and Its burdenoome relation to the General Govern
ment has diminished. As to the propositions before
tne committee he was disposed to go far for the
purpose OF conciliaton. If harmony could be pro
duced 1t would be almost sufficient to reconcile him
to any sacrifice. Still if we must submit, It was bnt
fair to allow US a choice
one word more: propositions have been made to
increase the number Of the Senate. He from reHec
tion was particularly opposed to such an increase
II we retain the number 81 in the Senate, we have
dlV!Sor OF the House of Delegate. Concurriug in
the views of gentlemen on the ober side So Gar as 70
De unwilling to disturb the existing Consti where
there Is no absolute occasion for it, he was DESTROYS
TO have 1t nndlSturbed in this particular To "a as
the number OF the Senate, have been long accus-
toned. For all the purposes of check it is suff
Gent fhe Senate has heretofore been what it was
intended to be-a body of calm, rejecting men, not
disturbed oy any agitation originating with them
selves but having time to regulate and check those
OF the other branch-havinp in fact mucl, more 81