Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-10

20 ascertain the practca5hty OF cutting canal
from the last mentioned point, TO the Basin OF
the Appomattox Canal at Petersburg--and canal
from Pagan Creek near Smithtield in the I. of w.
to the nearest navgable point OF said Black Water
river, and make report thereof to the next Gener-
al Assembly--Agseed TO.
On motion oi Mr.. kercheval, the Committee
Tor Courts OF Justice were instructed to Inquire
into the expectancy OF bringing in bill, giving TO
the endorsers OF promissory, negotiable notes, en-
dorsed Tor the accommodation OF the drawer, the
same remedy for contribution against their co-en-
dorsers which by law is now given to securities
against the co-securtcs.
On motion of MIR. Pollard Of King William
the House adjourned.
IN SENATE.
On Saturday, Mr. Taylor called up tiie Con-
vention Bill.
MIR. Allen urged his amendment in opposition TO
Mr.. Taylor's amendment. (rhe principal differ
ence between them, was, that Mr. Taylor's con-
templated representation the basis of the Cen
sus OF lSl0-Mr. Aliens on the Census Of lS20.}
Mr.. Allen stated, that his plan would allow Al
members to the country west OF the Blue Ridge,
and 80 to the east: making this difference between
Mr.. Taylors scheme and his own; that Mr.. rs
| would make the majority 10 the east one-fourth-
while his would make it one-svth.-Mr. A. also
replied 10 Mr.. Dromgoole's argument as to the
principles of the Bill Of Rights being distractions.
As to the position that the propreors Of slaves were
exposed TO any danger in the of their pro-
perty, from a free representation alone, Mr.. de-
MED that there was any justice in the principle or
| any truth in the statement. Such apprehensions
were visionary When had the western counties
indicated any such polcy' They too had slaves
| among them-and they were growing in number
And, besides, the west was perfectly willing to
give in Convention the most perfect guarantees
against any possible abuse Of taxation over slaves,
by providing for fair and proporionate taxation
over all property according to its actual value.
Mr.. Cabell supported Mr. Taylor's amendment
at great length-He recommended the present Sc
| material basis as fair compromise between the
various sections of the State; avoiding any com
prominent Of the Convention the basis Of
presentation, &c.
| Mr.. Draper replied TO Mr.. Cabell, and supported
Mr.. Aliens amendment. File commended, that in
taking the Census of 1920 the West surrendered
more than the citizens of the East ought TO ask for
that she would thus give up the increase of her
population for the last nine years-He pressed his
views with great ingenuity and force.
Mr.. Bernard urged eloqnently the spirit of
moderation and compromise on our wests. \ breth-
rem, and expaiated upon those considerations Of
self-defence, which would compel the eastern
people to unite in favor of their local views and
f, considerations.
| Mr.. Morgan followed Mr.. Bernard--He urged
| the rights of the West-he st ted that they were
of that character, as not 10 be susceptible of
compromise or of sacrhce-more especially when
the West was prepared TO guarantee the security
of slave property from unequal and unjust taxa
ton. He declared himself in favor oil Mr.. Aliens
proposition
| Mr.. Pattesou then moved TO lay the bill upon
the table-which was agreed 10, and the Senate
then adjourned till Monday lOo'clock.
CONVENTION BILL-In the Senate.
| YESTERDAY, the Convention Bill passed the
Senate.
After few remarks from Mr.. Cabell, Mr..
Patteson Of Augusta to address the Senate.
He went at large into the question of repre-
tass0 III laaE tl.n md of
ment, that the only true basis the number
of free white Inhabitants. He contended, that
| all the propositions, which had been offered, of
representation by counties and by a congression-
al ratio of 3-5ths of the slaves, had been repu-
fiated and rejected, because of their being OPP
posed TO this princice; because of their Unequal
i;y and injustice and he asked gentlemen, then,
how they wopldSaitempt to do that indirectly
which they had determined not TO do directly?
How they could go back 10 the Census OF 1910?
| and in this way, violate the principle of e9uali-
| t.? If the free white population constitute the
true basis Of population, why do not gentlemen
follow it through? Why do they not adjust the
represent alton in Convention, not by the Census
o. 1910; but by that Of 1920; correctly
still, by the present populaion?-He commended,
that the Senatorial law of 1877, under which
gentlemen held their seats in this House, was
founded upon the principle of free white popu-
lation; and why depart from il now. He argue d,
that the law of 1917, in fixing that representa-
ton, did not grant, as has been alleged, Qttid
pro quo; that il was not known at the time il
passed, how the re- assessment oil lands would op
| crate; whether ii would benefit the East OF the
West; that this all uncertain, whereas the
new adjustment OF the representation that
law was certain, in the benefits it would
| confer upon the Western parts Of the State.
| If then, the very gentlemen, who in
opposition 10 the amendment (of Mr.. Allen)
have conceded the principle OF Tree white repre-
sentation, the only question with them and the
House ought TO be, which oil the proposed amend
ments comes the nearest to this principle? the ORR
giDaI amendment, or the substitute? According 10
the origina! ainen9men. proposed by Mr.. Taylor)
| founded on the Census OF 1910, the Eastern po.-
ton OF the State would have in Convention so rep
resentatives and the West SO only majority in ia
vor OF the East 21-Mr. p. concluded that this
was not fair ratio that since the Census of 1870
the West had gained in population much faster
than the East; in the West, there had been an in
crease since 1910 of more than a. 900, and in the
East little more than 10000; comparative gain
to the West Of more than 81 ,O00 that according
10 the present Senatorial basis, the average num-
Der in each Senatorial District of the East was OIL
y % .25S; whereas in each District to the West il
was 2S,245; and that this inequality ought to be
remedied, by allowing an increased number of re-
presenaves in the Convention to the Western
District Oh the State; and that in strict Justice,
making allowance for the comparative gain OF
population, the numbers Of Delegates in CoDven-
ton ought to be at least 43 to the West and 53 to
the East.-Mr. u. observed, that according TO this
view, therefore, he was opposed both to the sub.
stitute, and the original amendment, though he
should prefer the former, and il compelled 10 vote
Tor either, he would take that proposition
Mr.. T.. proceeded to answer certain observations
which had fallen from other gentlemen in the De-
bate.-Ho should still claim the vote of the gem
ileman from Orange (Mr. Dade) who had recog-
nlzed the great principle Of free white population.