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

in the several had ally changed those
of the Western districts having riscu, and approachcd
much more nearly to equality with those of the Has
tern. Bat the taxes continued TO be imposed
ding to the same standard; in consequence whereof,
the tide water district was unduy burhcned and the
other DISTRICTS especially the third and fourth, paid
less than they ought These inequalities, III the i'm
position of taxes, and the representations in the
Senate, had hecn the subject of frequent discussion
and was informed that several Intellectual attempts
had been made to correct them by ordinary act at
legislation. These iru:icss efforts served only TO
increase the general discomfort, to lniame nniuoSI-
ties, and by giving To the discontinued solid rea-
son for objectng to the organization of the govern
ment, enabled them with more success TO seize all
occasions OF public distress, or popular excitement
turn them TO the purpose orouSing spirit of Needless
reform. Thus 1t happened that IN 1916, the people
of the large districts being disappointed III favo
rite measure, and much dissatisfied with the proceed
iugs oftho Legislature, they persuaded that
they had been grossly injured, that the OF heir
wrongs was 10 be found III the unequa! distribution
oil the power OF the governnen and that their rene
dy was TO he sought III general Convention To
form this, and other lancIed real defects of
the Constitution Under the excitement ofths occa
sion, that meeting in Staunon held, which has
been dcncminated the Stanton Convention. The
county OF Augusta did not participate i'll the feversh
excitement which then prevailed, and while it was
willing to seek by temperate and prudent measures
substantial relief irum acknowledged evils it was I'M
wiling tn encounter the hazards of general reform
1t therefore dcpucd to the meeting two members, OF
endeavoring TO infsc into the proceedings as much of
temper and prudence possible and TO restrain item
70 respectful memorial asking of the Legislature
that proper measures nigh be atopc ed for orGanzinr
Convention TO amend the Constitution tile State
but with powers limited to the objects of couazing
the representation and taxes. and of providno under
proper CAUTIONS, for future amendmen.s The de
alterations of this meeting uite in memorial IN
inc Legislature, asking a general Convention; aud
IN protest by u small minority, to which the
Augusta deputies belonged, the OBJECT whereof
was 10 limit the powers of the Convention to the
three subjects which have mentioned. The memo
rial AID protest were laid before the LEGISLATURE nj
their session of 1876 an,! bill passed the House of
Dci'gates Providing that the voice of the people
should De taken, on the question, whether Convcn-
ton should be called, with powers limited to these
three objects and other only the extension Of the
right oil suffrage. This bill was amended in the 81,
nate, so as TO limit nc pow Of the Convention to
taxes and representation only and was Ied on the Ia
be to await the coming Ola bill then II prorress for
reforming the Scnuoful Districts, and for a re-as
seSSment the lands. This bill came to the Senate
and passed by majority, Think of one: the bill for
the Convention having been rejected by u majority of
tWo.-boih were very obnoxious to the western Nom
bers, and were opposed by them;-both were accent
able TO ne, and advocated by me preferred the
tonVcntlonbl, because thought it would rive more
adequate AID more permanent relief but when il WINS
lost, espouscd the other, though it's operation va
announcement and harsh. and its relief lemporary-
Inc convention bill was III truth preferred to lis ri
val ny large majority of the Senate and would have
glslation by which false calculations of majorties
sometimes cheat Us of our votes. Here MIR. j. re
lated an anccdote, showing that one OF tho Senators
being dcceI'ed III his calculations had been induced
to give voe which secured the passarc of the hill
which he most desired TO defeat
Inns OH reforming the districts upon the basis of
"hite population as aScertaned by the of18Io,
gave to the country beyond the Blue Ridge nine Sc
nators That country had then about its due share
III the representation the House of Delegates upon
the same oass;-and an adequate provision was made
tor just apportionment Of the taxes.
Believing that the Legislature would follow this
precedent,-would preserve something like q prac;i
Cal equality OF representation both Houses bv oc
casonal reforms of the Districts, and by the division
OF Countess was cont ent to submit to the remaining
lhperiectlons, III the Constitution rather hau nt IN
hazard every thing valuable that il contained did
THINK there was much III it, worth preserving 7
thought 1t suited to genius and character cal
chiacd TO protect our rights, and promote our inte-
rests-takng It"all in ALL" comparing il with every
constitution of which had any inowetloe and esnc
clay with those which our extensive conederacv af
lords, preferred il to any ofthem;-and yerorotod
H. because 1t was the work of wise and vrtuo,1s
ancestofs--a Child of the Revolution horn with tho
State and consecratcd by all the assocations Which
make US proud OF our Country Il have therefore
ever since The session of 1916, opposed the call of
SohVentIon' whether limited general, and have la
oored much to prevent it. Step by stem have 7 fol
lowed the march Of my friend from CbesterfeId ~
the campaigns he has made, in defence off the Const
tuition, and though have not emuated the noIlantry
or Pro"ess OIL my leader he will bear me witness that
have been faithful soldier, and tina I never laid
down my arms, till the victory was fairly won from
US; 1t was not till decided majority of the free
holders had desired the call of Convention. that INV
opposition to it ceased. Prom that time, nv friend
from Chesterfield, and I'LL our other wise men. be-
lleve, united IN opinion, that the will of the people
should be obeyed that the Convention should be or
ganized without delay, and that a the subjects Of
complaint should be considered and as far as possible,
adjusted.
/ have detained you Mr.. Chairman, with these ex-
plantations because thought them due to myself, if
they were not strictly due TO the Committee. / moi
Their expect nor desire, that they should recommend
to your favorable attention, the poor remarks have
to offer, on the great question in debate These re-.
marks shall submit, with a consciousness, that they
are but little worth, though with an humble trust.
that If they have any valuGit will not be lost on the
candor and intelligence ofthc Committee
The first duty, perhaps, which owe to the Com
mlttCC, Is 10 nCknOMlclnn int,