Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-01

consistent and valued friend Of that great aud good
man, now enjoying the triumph of his virtues IN the
conscious spcnrlty ola nations gratitude.
SAM. HOUSTON.
Gr WILLIAM HALL,
Speaker al The Senate, Tenn.
FoR THE Vino.
To Utc Editors Of he Enq,G,rr.
Gentlenen ! am with others, requested through
your paper, by mnny Frecholders OF Fluvanna, 10
make known distinctly, and explicitly, my sentiments
on the following subjects.
LIST AS tc the extension Of the right OF suffrage 70
non freehoidcrs, with reasonable qualification.
End. AS TO n reduction, OF the present Numbers of
the House of Delegates, with u view 10 economy Of
time, and money.
3rd. As to equal representation throughout the
State, nppor;ioned according to white population.
4th, AS To new organization of the executive
branch of the Government, and for dispensing yith
the Council In part, or the whole.
5tl AS to change In the tenure Of Office in the Ju-
dietary Department as TO incrcaso the responsible
y of the judges, to facilitate their ouro,on from
office, for sufficient CAUSES.
Our bill Ut rights declares that elections Of mem
bers to representatives OF the people ought
TO be free, and that all men, having saffcent evi-
dence, of permanent common interest with md nj
tachment to the community, have the right of suY
TRACE and cannot be taxed deprived of their prop
erty for public usos without their consent, or
that OF their representatives elected nor bound by
any law, TO which they have not in like manner as.
I u.
have permanent common interest with the
community, who permanently reside in IT, who con-
tribute by taxes, however small, and common bur
thens in peace and war, to the common interest,
whilst attachment IN the community, springs from the
social virtues, and love OF those, with whom nature
and affection have lnkedus.
would therefore, exclude from voting all citizens
who had not resided IN county two years paid taxes
ard borne tho common hnrthcns the society: those
who have rendered themselves infamous AZ con yictoi
ieons and free negroes and pulattoes Us matters of
obvious policy. The diffusion orpower, amonq the
people Is the safeguard ofhcir natural sovcreignty
and the surcst guaranty, against its dangerous aeon
mutation in particular hands. Nor need DANGER be
approhendcd, to the landed interest of the country
whose rights, all will guard in peace and war rs the
source oil their sustcnonce and nurture Tue earth
Is not the natural basis of nolitiCal power. Iabour
IL the ather ofn Sue brings forth; and the accuInua
ted wealth ofthe world is but the Offspring of labour
IN some ofits modes. TO this Intelligent aud active
parent OF human prosperity and comfort should there
fore be committed the care of its offspring. Then
will such burthens only be laid OH the mother and
various branches of the family, is consistent with
the liberty and safety of all. That representation
should be based in freq population have no doubt
Slaves having irea will, cannot be represented
such. But political power is claimed for those nos
scssiUg thcn on the gronnd that they are as proper
~ taxed, and subject TO be taxed. Taxation under
free constitutions Of government, is not true basis
of political power.
In free communities taxes are voluntary contrbn-
Ions TO the necessities of the society, by theusev os
or their representatives,; they choosing the subjects
on which taxes may he lowed. fixed representa-
ton on combination of persons and taxes would bn
unequal and so unjust because the basis would i,snf
be fuctuating, rs both the subjects and amount OF
taxation are changed in public emergencies; and
constitution framed might give representation OH
particular subjects when the tax itself might be di-
unfinished enlarged, withdrawn. The means Of
acquiring and possessing property, are enumerated
among our inherent rights, well as liberty itself
Property wealth spring from the exercise Of hbet-
~, or free will, the guide Of mammal aud intellectual
labor. IL would b. as just, therefore, to give men
representation according to their intellectual snpcri-
ority tho one over tho other, as on their property
accumulated by that intellectual power. SUPERIOR men
tai cndowmonts like wealth have natural power the
these IN nature OF things be possessed but by fv
and happy would it he for the world, it their union
with power had not uniformly turned them from pur-
poses oJuBcc and philanthropy to become the scour-
gcs OF mankind. would therefore, giTe equal por-
tons Of power, 10 equal Numbers of icemen and
those among ms who fear dangers to property, from
popular DOM sectional oppression should have
their approximations quietcd by constitutional provi-
sion, that particular property should not be- taxed hut
III proportion to given standard property, common
To the whole country.
An independent Judiciary should puard tho coustl.
tuition from violation. That indcpendcncoto be Sc
cured by fixed and adequate salaries and stated terms
OF service md theT responsibty'to the will Of the
community by periodical appointments or elections
subject TO removal on conviction Of crime or nal.
ieasancc In office, by joint ballot Of both houses Of
the General Assembly. On principle the povornor
ought to be elected by tho people. would diminish
the number or abolish the counci! Of State The ex
ccutivc branch OF the government should have rs
little power rs will be Compatible with the execution
Of tho general will, expressed ia the laws The num-
Der Of The House Of Delegates should be diminished.
leaving the representation full ne that the consti-
tucnts may conveniently confer With the representa-
tive, and tho senate enlarged ond their torn Of ser
vice not 90 exceed two years at most In the organ-
ization OF the whole government. ] would have f1i-
galty in view, with Jus, regard fair compensation
to public 6duciares Having thus explicitly and foil
rs my intrusion your columns viii permit arsw crtd
the enquiries Of my follow citizens of Fuvana though
not Nv the order proposed, 7 will only adj 'ha,