Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-24

equai DIVISIONS, ne believed il would be better 10
adopt existing divisions of the Commonwealth.
| and none were note convenient than county sii
visions. Senatorial districts on the other hand,
offered no advantages those Of rounties
Fhey neither approached nearer 10 equality. nor
were any more applicable 10 the purposes of cleo
| tons. Mr.. NJ. deprecated the idea of divnline.
the state into large districts, for the election Of de-
iesaes, end would greatly prefer, in convention as
well as In the new government, that every coup
/ ~ should have separate representation, where
large enough TO contain the required population
but the small counties in the new government
ought to be thrown into districts containing tho
ratio OF representation as nearly practicable in
such manner, that each such district may have
delegate. In Peansylvani il has been the
practice to give to the large counties severalaeie
gates, according to their population, and to the
medium counties, one; and the small counties,
where they VIII admit, are connected together i'm
such manner as to make the proper ratio, and are,
allowed one, and sometimes two delegates. This,
Mr.. MI believed was good arrangement, and it
was what he wished in this state. IL seemed the.
gentlemen wished to mould the future govern
ment according to the organization of the CONVEX
ton, and by giving to the larger counties small
majority OF delegates in the convention, as thew
would have by his amendment, they may take and
preserve that influence IN the future government
which their population entities them to. The
small and medium counties, disposed to do justice
could not object TO this arrangement. While the
large counties, not having the power to suppress
the whole influence Of the small ones, nor the
small ones overrule the just weight of the large
ones, all will act with an undivided view TO pre-
mote the peace and happiness of the whole com
munity. This organization OF the body will Ger
tainly have tendency TO promote equality aud
preserve liberty.
MIR. NJ. said on the other hand, any district sys-
tenn is calculated 10 cali out the same angry pas
sions in convention that il v i'll among the peopie
No district system pleased him as well as his own
amendnen, or the original bill. When we leeis-
late on subject of this kind, it should he in spi
il OF equality and lberaiity, and to avoid every
t.s,t IL 49,
prejudices OF our brethren of the same political
famiiy-citlZens OF the same state, and people OF
the same community.
Among all the governments thai have existed
none have ever displayed magnanirnity anss
justice, than the House of Delegates in their tafe
vote on this subject, voluntarily surrendering their
power and equalizing it among The counties. It
may be said, that the small counties have been
compelled 10 yield. This is not true. They have
yielded from sense Of justice and equality. They
had the power TO retain for themselves any ex-
tent OF influence they thought proper, and un-
less this house passes the bill without amendments
they can still give themselves the same power in
coDventon, that they now possess in the LegisIa.
ture. MIR. Vi. ssij they were acting here in the
inceptive stage OF reform, and unquestionably the
manner OF choosing the delegation 10 convention
ture Government.
The Delegates o|some ftbe smaller counties,
have with great piausibility commended, that this
is not the place for introducing efTecting an
eg''oii@"'ioH -F Pnf all have rot 60 ron
tended or voted. Many acknow ledge mat ihev
have no right in organizing a convention, to eN-
ercise that unequal power, the advantages OF
which they have so long enjoyed. For, this might
defeat the objects Of reform.
The people OF this State, have in times past
been used to be represented by counties. Wien
the present constitution was formed, and when
the convention was called 10 act on { he federal
constitution, the counties were represented equal
ly. Ard the gentlemen from Orange himself
would hardly doubt the ability Of the who
composed those conventions. The question IL
now different one-the counties have been CALI
ed upon to correct the injustice, which grows out
OF this unequal county representation, and they
have with great magnanimity and in clear
and distinct terms expressed their Appreciation OF
the principle, that the free white population sIIai
he equally represented, or as nearly practi-
cable; such is the object and purport of the bill.
While, N.Y. NJ. said, the principle could not be
maintained, that these counties ought TO be equal
ly represented, yet he denied that any argument
could be brought to prove, that the bill under
consideration does recognize the principle Of eqna.
county representation, and is intended to perpetp-
ate il in the new Government On the CONTRARY
II is asserted in express terms in the bill, that ,he
representation 10 the convention, shall be BASED
on the free white population, ascertained by
the census OF 1920, and that each county shah re-
a separate electorate. Mr.. VI. said, he had shewn
that the bill, sent 10 e Senate, does not afford
the same equality in the representation, that his
amendment does; but both he thought, spproacIl- IS
ed nearer TO equality than the amendment oitbe
Mr. NJ said there was che other pronosjtief ia
his amendment which ii was his duty 10 sus,ain
~ well az he eouId-he alluded TO the section
which declares that all free white male ci,izeusof
the age OF 81 years, with a few exec pGns are en-
titled 20 vote og the delegates 10 'hc proposed con-
yention.
This proposition, he sad involves prfncjpia
unquestionabiy OF great importance 10 the peopla
OF this common wealth, and deserves the maiuresr
consideration Of the Senate. When lie wrote his
amendment, il was intended as am amendment to
the bill; but as the gentleman from Orange had Of
tered his amendment first, and az there some
difference in the two sections that subject, he
had thought proper 10 offer his ich0ie amendment
without emitting any part. II was not very ma
ierial which OF the amendments, on this part OK
The subject, should meet the appreciation of the
Senate, as the main principle equally invos-
ell in both. The present restriction Of the right
Of suffrage was OF the principal Causes which
induced the people 10 call for p conventional
was so IN his section Of country, and lac heiieyed
generally through the state; bat probably not ~
much 80 in the east az IN The west.
Mr. Nj. said il would not be improper 20 look
into the history OF the introduction Oh the pyesont
restricted suffrage, by which great class %
our citizens have long been deprived of voting for
those who lcgisate Tor them in all tiings, ami
have power 10 couuol tIeir persons aud property
IT discretion.
Mr. NJ said that OH Gse men iubsbit..g Ire
Colony Of Virginia, we're allowed to vote ior Bur-
gesses from the election Of the fret House Of Bur
gessos in 1919, until 1851, the term Of 30 years
when by an act OF the Assembly u was declared,
That slt housc-keepess, whether FTeekOiders
LcnSchofdcyS or otherwise tenants shall only be
capable 10 elect Burgesses" q ii. 81. at ~ SI2.1
But this &C, being deemed an encFOachmcnt upon
he rights Of the free men of the Colony, the as