Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-22

nient OF representation shall be made an the following,
meprer, and on the following basis. viz: the number
OF free white inhab::ant in tn, Mouse of DeIerotce
and the federal basis III the Senate
Mr- Thompson moved TO strike on. the words
|" 1910, and inset s'iS5O."
Mr.. DoDDRipGE hoped the amendment would NOT
be adopted. Is effect would be to accumulate the
evils complained of by the west for ten additional
yours.
Mr. d. agreed with Mr. Leigh that if the prono
sition OF Mr. Gordon succeeded there would be ten
years war, unless there be scheme for future appor
tionment; that the proposition OF Mr. Cooke woul ~,
worse. The objection to MIR. Cookies proposition s
tha, 1t leavcs much discretionary to tie LepisIa
tur'. tsurrendcrs up the west bound hand and foot
The war would immediately commence; a s,ruGui.
Tor power would be continually carried OH. 90
Mr.. LEIGH said this proposition occurring r.
Us onr properly Tor ten years and then the reverson
I" the west. Mr. Thompson gave the reversion ef
ter twenty years.
Mr.. THoMPso~ said he had proposed 1850, to maxi.
the scheme more paiatable to gentlemen of the e,st
lie understood that 1t admitted that there won3
De at that time an equality. He withdrew hin
amendment at the suggestion OF Mr.. Johnson
: MIR. JOHNSON offered amendment, maknp the
/ apPortlcnment in l34l, and the re-appor,on once
thereafter every twenty years, and spoke of the ey
penses OF the assessments of lands being an objection
to frequent apportionment. The last assessment had
/ cos $50 900.
| Mr. POWELL said he had most an,,iousy souplt n
reason which could induce him TO vote for the pTono
sltion of Mr.. Gordon. He was DESTROYS to do so b,,
he could not without clause for future apportion
tnent.
Mr. Scorr congratulated the Convention TINT Mr.
~ had changed his opinions of government, whether
! from Inc arguments on the other side his own re-
rctions he knew not. He contended at first f;,r n
pure democracy-sad that any other principles wern
urstocracy and oligarchv; that, on the contrary ~,
cast commended that government always mea-
sure OF expectancy. lie glad to hear tiIat nm,
gentleman had been converted to the true doctrine
thnt the interests of the community should be cor
suited He thought the gentleman's argument an
rroPriatev addressed The west but could rot IN
ftnence the east. For himself said he he would me-
T. the white basis in both Houses the white in the
iouse or Delegates and the federal numbers in the
Nenatr; because the Senate would always be od;ons
t. the west and was protection to the east Tbn
opera ion would he tina if the Sena e. this negro So
maze ms 1t Will be called dare reject any measure of
The ttouse of Delegates the camor would be inces
SAINT, and the next thing would be to call new Con
vention and change this feature of the Constitution
whlch would be inevitably carried, and he therefore
preferred at once to fix the Senate differently no,
Mr.. Mccoy said he always of opinion that mr.
perry would protect its"lE-individually il had ton
much interest and it was necessary to increase
tue EVIL by basng representation it, But he hr =
been willing to base tho Senate thus as COMPROMISE
hoping it would settle this odious controversy H.,
wished the peculiar property of the protected htik
he could not vote for Constitution unless provided
!oF future appor'lonment He should prefer the
present Constitution.
Mr. lErGn said he state fact. gentle
man OF undoubted veracity had told him this aornr
tat some gentlemen from the Valley had determined
10 accept Mr. Gordon's amendment without any pro-
VISION for future amendment, if they could get moth
of putting the Convention in possession of the fsct
that the present the last effort to obtain the re-
version OF the property of the east after ten years
Z. possession.
Mr.. POWELL stated that he knew of no such de-
formulation, and he could not believe in the accuracy
n OF the information.
10 enter into the debate but having come more re-
Gently from the people than his colleagues he thonolt
ne might express more fully the wishes of his const-
tuenis. He had heard that this was strupoIn f;r
power, but he did not think ii was in its essence =
struggle between the people of the east and west
re considered that most struggles Of his kind were
u struggles between the people and the government -
w hen the people demanded and The government r.,-
inSed redress, the awful question then arose what
was The people to do? He feared that this was now
the state OF the question: He believed laroe n,a :
jory OF the people had called this Convention Thai
they had been calling for for many wears T,hc1y
= were sLleced Tor time by doucer-he reanf tn,
new organization of the Senate but it was Lut for ),
time The Convention called, and'for what, f. >
the great purpose of equazing representation There
were no doubt other but conpa rson tboy
Welghed but as feather IN the scale The great oil
lection was that the power was in the hands NJ y
small minority That he had read with attcp.iop t
ingenious Arguments Of gentlemen upon the subject
Oh inalorities; that the only majority he knew anv
tH'ng OIL was majority of the free white people If
' the Commonwealth. He had read with preat alter
lion the arguments of gentlemen which went TO shou,
that the principles OF government of the maiorit,
was an abstraction, and could not see how this conf,
y be without overurnng the very principles of nonuja
c government All he asked was that the naked iruIb
s"u"io appear 10 not put III your bill OF rights O
principle, and oVerturn it in your Constituent Do
we ask that geneDIe should surrender their proncr
, ty to our 'scretonf Far from it. lie was n,qare
that although the people would generally do right
yet they may sometimes do cruel wrong lie ceu1}
see no reason to fear excessive taxation where pro
Perty was homogeneous. He had heard of the con,
ar properly OF the east, as claiming peculiar protec.
ton, and he felt he full effect of the argument 10,
IT. protection the Senate TO be placed on the mix,
cd basis. Those who voted for it from the west as
sHmed great responsibility in voting it. He was
,u"ty u take that responsibility but he believed the
wishes OF his constituents would not permit him tn
llther and ne could no. If that could not be ear.
ried ne preferred remaining are. Tie present
results OF ne government caused bv frftitous
gN.Il- IS III Mh,CL