Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-21
District System. agreeabIy to free white popula-

ducing the members Of the III. of ID.
Toextend the right Of suffrage to all persons
having sufficient evidence of permanent interest
in, and attachment, TO the community, and thereby
admit larger portion OF our meritorous citizens
10 Just participation OF the power and privileges
oil the government?
put it TO candid men 10 say whether one single
one oil these objects, is secured by the bill under
considerations.
The member from Monongalia (Ir. Morgan,)
proposes also TO amend this bill 1t is true, in his
mendinent, is introduced provision, touching the
right OF suffrage, somewhat similar to mine: hut
with the exception of that, he has only added to
the many objections to the present bill. He seeks
farther to graduate representation, by increasing
the number OF Delegates To this BILL as amend
ed by the scheme OF the member from Mononga-
ia, have 81 specific objections. The Senate need
not be alarmed at this appalling enunciation for it
II Is not my intention, to discuss those objections in
detail. 1t will he recolected that my am ntment
proposes that the Convention shall consist of SO
members-that OF the member from MonongaIia
ol 10y, making a difference OF 81; a circumstance
OF ITSELF constituting strong ground Of objection
whilst the body should be large enough TO par.
take sufficiently OF the popular feeling, it would
not be SO large as 10 endanger that calm and dis
passionate discussion so much to be desired ON n
important an occasion; the fewer the number re-
CURED, the more particular will be the selection
-and eiecung too by districts, the probability is
greater, OF putting in requistion, of the most
distinguished talents, and approved virtue. Again,
that small bodies dispatch business with more ac-
nvity, than large and unwiedv masses; and most
a's"ediy, al much less eXpence. And uere let
me suggest that the state of the eychequcr might
De materially affected by the difference IN the ex-
Pehses oil Convention OF SO and l59 member |
am unwilling to regard this measure a. contest
Tor power however disposed others may be, so TO
consider il
Let US now unite in devising plan by which
all sections OF the State may go into Convention
NO. 90 prl siCal ..Iss
'hen, I! 1; be Necessary TO wage con;es. for pow
err, let ach be governed by what the majority may
decihe TO be correct adjustment this il not the
roper time or place. Here, all claiming to be e.
qu'Iy candid and pat iotic-each alike entitled
10 nj opinions, lett endeavour 10 harmonise bv
mutual concessions. DO genilem n expect amongst
.he diversity OF interests s. opinions, there should
De no conces>ion--no compromise, Shall we have
no respect Tor the opinions of others? Do gentle
men beyond tie mountain mean to concede moth
ing! III so. be il so; but, they NAV learn when
100 iate That others are tenacious of their opin-
ions; and can and will maintain them as FIRMLY
Attic my brethren of the Eastern part of the
State did, according to my opinion set I'D in the
commencement oil this controversy, unre asonable
anu unJu>iihable pretensons, they have in great
oegree, yielded them; and, | believe, the main
ground oil controversy now is, the difference be-
tween the Senatorial Districts, arranged according
10 me census OF 1910, and new arrangement of
districts according TO the census of 1890 II has
Deen found, that within those periods willis, the
White population has increased about IL 900 below
me Blue Ridge, it has increased beyond abou,
4o,oo0. According To the census of 1910 the
country below the Ridge, will h.ve i'm Conven.
uoii oo members, beyond 36-a difference of "a
According to the census OF 1920, the relative NUM-
oers IN Convention would be, 1 understand So
East, 80 West-a difference of I6. The West,
then, VIII have conceded 8 in the number of MEM
hers When they are asked 10 concede This alone
Is !he demand upon their beraty, so exorbitant as
toJusuiy the hazard OF passing 10 law upon the
SUBJECT; and thereby, surrender the State TO that
h'Sh uegree OF political excitement, which would
ine'taoiy ioiiow-or passing the bill upon the Ia
PIE, winch recognize no fixed rule OF action and
whose results III Convention would be so purely
acciuentai as TO operate either for, or against the
great objects OF Reform, 1 think not Go into
Coi': ehtioh upon the terms now offered add
ihit the justice and expedency of the Reform
sought. The Western Members of Convention
thinking alike upon those great objects of Re-
iof' acting IN concert, they all want to do IN
Oh questions particularly affecting them aided by
such auxiiliares, the justice OF the cause would
give them, could not fail TO succeed
Ii we go into Convention upon the terms of the
o'isinal Dill, The propriety of representation by
counties Is virtually admitted; and should it be the
pleasure Oh the smaller counties, TO instruct their
delegates in Convention, to insist upon represen-
taton by counties, that most odous Of all systems
may De rlVetted upon In time TO come we
may he compelled TO submit TO the grossest ine
quai.y OF representation, or equaze ii by in
creas'ns me number in the legislature. and there
again defeating one of the great objects of Con-
Venhon. Should the principle be adhered to, that
ITO county borough or city, should have less than
one delegate, and proceed to equalize upon thatb
SIS where would the humber of the Legislature
stop! The propositions of the original bill are
mohS'rous-and scarcely deserve any thing like
serious ref ection
Nor should our Western Brethren complain too
much 1.-THE concession asked; there is not that
manifest injustice in it. which at first view appears
There Is certainly some allowance TO be made, for
difference in the relative character of the pepul,
ton East and West.
vi what is the population of the East made. OIL
the native growth OF the sol-of those and the
descendants Of those who hazarded, or sacrificed.
lie, fortune, and office, TO establish the present
form oil government, under which we have lived
so happily, and which cannot help loving with all
its defects.
VI what Is the population Of the West chiefly
MADE: Although am free to admit that much the
larger portion are also of The native growth-yet.
cannon De denied, tina, a very considerable pro.
from Northern and Eastern States. n,rsons No,
naturazcd, or have not resided in one county Ionr
enough, at one time, to give evidence of commu-
NIFTY OF interest. In confirmation of thi. view of
the SUBJECT VIII state, that | understand the
town OF Wheeling has doubled lis oopulatiou
WITHIN I'VE years-tbat other towns are increasing
with almost equal pace, and that the constant and
extensive employment given 10 labourers at the
SAT- works, aud on roads and canals, and public
works generally, adds very considerably to that
description oil persons who are not in the spirit of
Inc Dill OF tights entitled to participaion in the
powers OF government In thus CONTRASTING lbe
population OF The East and the West, mean no
encouragement 10 the enterprising foreigner who
may have sought the land of liberty, where as a
freeman, he might live secure in person and in
property, or TO the hardy adveDturer from the
North, who may have chosen TO settle in the
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