Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-01-30
DEBATE on THE CONVENTION.
TuIrDsDay. IAN. &

rts of tire bill open for consideration TO which
tue chairman having aesyned Mr.. nj. said he should
then proceed into investigation ofthc entire subject
presented to the committee 1t was proper for him
to do so, because It had been stated in of tie
public journals, that he steady antagonist of
convention, aud that the bill had been examined by
him. before it was even carried to the committee
II is true SIR that the bill submitted to him be-
fore it was considered by the committee and indeed
it might be said tlrat he had hand in framing IT,
II was true also, that he had ut all times been or.
posed to convention, and that but twenty six
Of the ireeholders of Powhatan voted in its favor
Nevertheless, when il was ascertaned that major
iy OF tire people of the commonwealth wished the
measure, it had been his determination FIN which ,,
believed he expressed the feelings of those wlu sent
him here) to give his feeble aid in organizing con-
vtntion upon principles which would insure protection
60 the great interests of society, the rights of per
sons and the rights of property
The history Of this bill was s:ncula. After two
weeks investigation 1t was reported by committee
specially chosen and of great intelligence It might
got be In order to state that it reported by a
large minority of that committee but be that as j,
may, they had thrown it upon the charity of the
House, Us poor aud unprotected orphan. It has
been entirely deserted by it's sponsors, and no one
except the young gentleman from Westmoreland
Cur Newton) had stepped forward in its support: he
with his characteristic kindness has thrown hs man,
r., over it, and mr.. M. thanked him for u. This
biH (to use congressional phrase) was based he
would say founded, upon combined ratio of free
white population and taxation. 1t true, that il
cr.responded with congressional Districts but these
we're selected not with view of having the eastern
slaves represented, persons, but because it was
believed that this basis would az nearly practical
bte coincide with combined ratio of free white po-
pulatfun and taxation, besides, it was proper (ch
being the rcsutl to take these districts which had
already been laid off, and the people contained in them
accustomed to think and act together upon political
SUBJECTS He would repeat that this bill was found
ed upon the combined ratio of free white population
and taxation; aud to prove this, he begged leave to
read Bgan, the statistics presented BY his colleague
ON yesterday who had anticipated him in several of
us views. Statistics dry matters of calcula-
tfua, and therefore unnterestng, Int they were So
essential to the proper investigation OF this subject
that he hoped to have tho attention of the committec
while he exhibited them. Let the state be divided
into sections, one west Of the Alicghaney noun
fatns, one between the AIlcghuncy mountains and
the Blue ridge; that from the Blue ridge to the.Iicad
oftide water, and from that line to the sea board
the result viii bs Wis: The } western districts for
the election of members of congress- COMPRISING Q,
Counties, contain population Of I34 286, of which
i2f ,49i are free whites, and pay fax annually of
S35,442 I. In convention composed OF 98 members,
aS Prppuspd by the hill this section, By white popnIo
ton, would be entitled TO II 81 members by taxa
ton to 80 members, and by the combined or me-
dunn ratio,t IL members, excluding fractions wh:sI
Is the number givcu by the bill. The four districts
between the Blue ridge and Allegheny, comprise |
counties. aud contain population Of 1877, 4f6 of
which i2,7I7 are free whites and paw an ANIMAL
tax Of S56,l9i 81. They would he entitlc,! by white
population to 10 members, by taxation to - 81
10,
excluding fractions, the number proposed by the
bill. The eastern districts, including TIL, cities
ct Richmond and Williamsburg and borough Of Nor
folk, contain population of30 ,554, ofwhch i34123
arc white, and pay an annual tax of SI26,551 10.
They would be entitled by white population to IL 90
s-lcn5ers, BY taxation TO 26 49, by the combined
alto, or medium principle, to - 10. which is one
End na-egh:h Is than the number allowed nv tho
bill. The middle districts between the heal OF tide
water aud the mouubius, comprising SO connties
and the town of Petersburg, contain population of
2,Io6, of which 2l4,75o white, and pay an
sHn,nl tax Of SI95.37t 81. White population rs
the basis, would enti;le them to 81 20 members,
taKat,on to DO SC, combined ratio medium prin-
eple to Sc, excluding fractions, the number propos-
cd blythe bill This sir, is the result Of my Stats
tics; from which it appears that the bill rests as
nearly almost as calculation can make it, upon tine
combined principle OF white population and property,
the only true basis in my Judgment of government
to gunrd and protect the various interests of the
community. Whence then ask all this cIanoi,r
end excitement about the slaves and their rcpresen-
tatives, which seem TO give IIu"h horror to the
sensfbllties of certain gentlemen repent SIR that
SO far as was concerned in framing this bill, have
presented It's true basis; ard the object not to
nave slaves represented persons, but to secure
orr property. Gentlemen call this new principle
cue never heard OF before il this commonwealth
Sir, said Mr. Miller, this is principle: it is Us
cid rs FREE government: il is the principle "tfat
hose who pay the taxes Should lay tic taxcs-the
sane principle with which Chatham made the British
hing treuble on his throne,he pr!acp pie that
enabled the genins Of Henry TO give the impulse to
The ball ri our Revolution, and Washington to con-
fuc.t it to Independence.
NEr. Chairman, said Mr.. NJ after these preIimi-
i!iry remarks, viii suppose cgse VIII supposed
ti;ht gentlemen WHO had been al h. ..fc, in his
iroyhood, at mature age, in The viror Of his intel
le9, sturdy advocate Of the most aristocratic tea-
tines in constitution; WHO had been SO particu-
larly IN favor Of DUR restricted suffrage as in renurk-
lug upon TN able spa<h OF young gentleman deli
lGFed but few years ego III its favor, 70 say, that
upon the subject, except LEe himself, who had
the mscicYoGs effects Of an extended sf
iragt In Pennsylvania and Ohio will suppose that
NJ had he',n until lately, what Is termed an Ultra
- 1r'.st IN all his principles and tcelings-that he
la attempted to into Office by the force of these
principles, bat had been disappointed. That utter ne
lad passed. the mcredian Of life he suddenly changes
hts whole views and becomes flaming democrat