Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-14
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION.

/
Mr.. SPEAKER,-The amendment proposed by
the gentleman from Fairfax, has for its object the
appointment oil representation, among the Sena-
torial Districts Of the State according TO the white
population of IS20-this is in effect the same as
the oiositon of the gentleman from Brooke, i'm
favor OF which, few days since, we found array
ed the vote OF the West. Ii presents to us basis
OF representation in accordance with the princi-
pies, Tor which the friends of reform should con-
tend. Hesregretted the course which some gem
tiemen appeared disposed TO pursue, who, he had
thought, would gladly have accepted the proposed
amendment. 49,
The gentleman from Preston, (Mr. Allen,) has
directed our attention TO the proposition OF the
gentleman from Brooke, which classes the coun-
ties, and apportions the representation among them
as correctly as was thought practicable. He in
forms US, that he can consent to no arrangement,
whereby county witt white population Of ne ar
~ four thousand, shall have but one, and coun-
ty oil iour thousand, shall have tive delegates
mat IL Is unequal &c. Yet, in preference TO this,
he will adhere to the county paC,, which gives TO
6oo, the same delegation that is given TO l6 900.
That gentleman must be sensible that il the lesser
counties have one delegate each. the larger can
not have their full and proper proportion, unless
the number in Convention be upwards of one
thousand But, if perfec, equality cannot be at
tamea' WIN we be Justifiable IN supporting that
which is most uneqnaia There are three promi-
nent divisions in this House, in relation to the
Convention question. Those who prefer the Con-
gressional Districts, or the combined ratio (as it
Is named,) OF taxation and population, form one
those in favor OF the white population and the dif-
ferent chasing plans, anothcr-and the supporters
oil the county system, third. Among the last
are generally found those whoever originally
anti conveniionIsts, and are willing to adopt that
which Is most likely TO preserve the present order
OF thngs. Any gentleman who will undergo the
iabor-oi an. examination, will discover, that the
county system will give to fifty of the Eastern
counties, a greater representation in Convention,
than they would have, were three hfiiis of their
fol int
federal raio-and yet, in the West, we can, aud
DO unite, in opposition TO the Congressional Dis
trlcts, as recognizing principle oi presentation,
to us most Objectionable. Why, then, he would
ask DO some OF us cling so pertnacously me
county system, in opposition to the offered amen,-
ment! Can we not look forward TO The result
Although the county plan has been adopted as a
substitute TO the congressional yet the eff Ct Of
either, lie believed, would be the same-I.et the
Convention be once assembled, the members from
me East composing large majority, will be SEN
slDie mat such representation could not be con-
unued, as II would be in opposition TO the wishes
OF majority Of the citizens of the sta,e-as il
would be retaining that feature OF the present
Constitution, which has been the cause Of such
loud and long complaint-but to preserve the
power thus vested in them, the Eastern members
must resort TO the federal RATIO or taxation and
population united; the latter of which, will afford
them better, though still, he thought, weak
foundation upon which TO stand, and resist the
principle, that equal portions of freemen though
IN different parts OF the state, should have equal
political power.
MI w. said, 1t was not his intention TO de,an
the House with examinai ion of " hat are term
| ed the elementary principles of republican 20.
vernineht, as asserted by eur Bill of Rights
his branch OF the subject has been fully and
ably discussed, by gentlemen WHO have preceded
him; but he should direct his attention TO some of
the arguments and calculations, which had been
offered in support of the federal ratio, and an
union OF population and taxation on the basis Of
| representation.
| The idea, Sir, that slaves, persons, are emit
lied to representation in Legislative Hail. il
| at one time entertained, is now apparently aban-
doned. Yet, IL is contenled, that the Congress
sionai Districts, give TO the different portions of
the STALE proper representation upon the princi-
pie maintained by our Eastern brethren, that tax
alton Should be united with population. The
gentlemen from Powhatan, have presented to liz
some calculations intended to support the asser-
ton, and showing that the country West of the
Ridge will have about thirty -one, and East, thirty
nine represe natives out Of an hundred; whilst
the bill OF the gentleman from this city, which
proposes the combined ratio" gives TO the West
so, and the East 90 members-The cause of the
variance, will be apparent Fl ON the fact that the
gentlemen iron Powhatan, give TO S420, 900 of
revenue, the same quaulunn of representation az
TO 6o3,0 900 reemen, as sc two-thirds cts of tax
to freeman: Whereas, the gentleman from this
city, gives to taxation about 40 and to population GO
representatives out Of an hundred OF as 100 per
cent 10 d Tree man. ne warmeSt friend OF the
principle cannot object TO the latter mode of CAL
culating, as giving too little influence TO taxation;
yet, agreeable to the principle, il is evident, that
even this does injustice to the west as the taxa.
ton OF the present year is taken into the estimate:
but the population according TO the census of 1920
whereas, ii is well known, that we have suffici-
ent grounds to induce the belief that the west has
an increase over the east since 1920 of at least
10000 whites, which would give her at least three
additional members, making her force al the present
day according TO the combined ratio SO instead of3I
as the gentlemen suppose. Yet we are told bv the
friends Of the measure that Congressional districts
are presented to us in the spirit Of COMPROMISE:
although the very prncipIe'for which the con end
is violated by the proposition. But this district
plan is Objectionable not only in consequence of
the inequality produced, between the two grand
diyisions-the east and the west-.but of the Old
preston OF That section of the State living west of
the Allegheny. The three-ffths of the slaves IL Ia
said, fairly and conveniently represent the taxa
ton OF the state but the failacy of this position
may be easily deInonsrated-as illustration take
the counties OF Powhatan in the east and Preston
in the west, (Which have been arrayed against each
other, by the gentleman from the former county
but with different view.) The former pays a
tax OF $4,000, which will give 10 that county
the additional political influence of 32s5 f,eemen
being the three-ffths Of its slave population or as
one additional freeman for 81 0of tax. Whilst
me county OF Preston paying tax Of 1858 will
I have The additional influence Of but IS free men
being the tbree-fltbs Of its slave population or as
one free man for $l3 20 tax-thus one dollar tax
IN Tie east, viii authorize the same
az will eleven in the west. So slso In The third or
| POwhatsn Congressional district, 81 4s TAX will
give the same representation, as 50 81 in the Mo.
mongolia district. In the Valley country the inc
| diaWy WIZ not pc so great, in consequence Of
| the greater number Of slaves; vet the whole wesI
/ will have but one, where tho e,s, hoe ri,a Al