Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-19


Senator's and large ftaction-second, the basis of
total population, in which the West was entitled TO
3 and small fraction-and third, the basis of free
white numbers, on which the West would be on,i-
tied TO and fraction. Adding all these results to-
gcthcr, and dividing them by 3, the West was found
entitled to and large fraction. II being then CON
sdercd that TN East with fifteen members could bet
ter spare the fraction than the West with g. the I
East gave up the fraction, and the West had then
members. The West was then satlshed-the Bill
was brought m, and when thu gentleman from Brooke
SAID that he offered amendment he could not have
committed greater mist axe.
Mr.. DoDDRiDGE rose to explain That was not
the bill which he had referred to. His reference
to the Convention Bill.
Mr. TAzEwEI.L SAID, he was satisfied the rentle-
man did not mean to make mistatement, yet j.. Was
convinced that he did SO state three or four times
When the Convention Bill was in progress. lie did
NOT offer amendment similar to that which the gen.
tleman from Chesterfield had now oflcred-that there
should he member for each Congressional dis
trci, and Il member TO each number of
white population, to which he moved to add and
cach ----- number d. slaves. II. could not fill
his blank till the her blank was filed--he could
not fill his blank until he knew the number OF whites
because he intended to fill his blank with 5ths of
that number. The proposition was lost He had
little doubt, in arranging the districts that the ne,,-
einen had regard to white population but if such
was The fact they kept 1t TO themselves Such was
the history OF this Bill. He had hoped that the pro-
ce"dIngs now would terminate III the same manner
The people of the West were then satisfied Ibev
only wanted equal representation in the Senate
they said ,hcy had in the House OF Dictionaries
and we were told we should hear no more of it If
we gave 1t IN the Senate. He had good re-
suit from forming the representation lii the Senate
thirteen years ago. He had knowl ,go how far rood
was then obtained, and he willing to gain the
same good from the same cause now. They did not
Ut 'iat Time, Look t" any general views to who
were the people. but discussed the question as To
statesmen, and decided that portion of the conn
try was entlticd to certain representation and the
othcr' to other certain representation. The found
fraction III the way, and threw into the hands of
the people of The West. He would take the rnnp of
Virginia, and George Mason's Constitution and
draw one line, which would meet the concu renee of
all. Ials he believed he could do. unless as the
gentleman from Augusta had said--tfs WIS TO he
considered as a question of mere power. IF so, the
hunbiest molety could not be surrendered witbout
an abusing degradation. We are entitled TO nower
but We are wiling to part with share of it. if it is
asked IN the way we wish. If that did not satisfy
gentlemen, lac could satisfy them in anv nj her
way-he was wiling to them on tic ground of
conpronl e, II there was manifestation of Il similar
spirit on the other SIDE But if they wore e.ynoc,o
to he giving all until the people OF the West were
satisfied, he would al put his foot OH the matter
ana give nothing II the consequence should be n
dissolution OF this body he could not help it. five
are 10 go till the W est cry hold it world bn ua
less, for the West would have all. He woplJ myo
nothing, unless he was met by the spirit of com1ro
mise the other side. He wished TO presnrvc all
the Constitution which was good--no more He
would give up ALL where practical mischief hoe ro
suited. lie would go farther, where there was .
probability hat mischief would result he was y,I;nr
to provide remedy. The people did not send linn
here to pull down the fabric to the foundation stone
IN or'ier TO build up again To alter every th;po
to defeat every thing, he came not here The neo
pie sent him here under these Impressions I'hev
had heard complaints that this instrument was Se
ectlve, and was producing mischief they had not
themselves fell the mischief but they sent him to en-
quire into the fact If satisfied that if does work
evil, he was ready to adopt the practical remedy
when 1t was exhibited to him. For that he came
ana ne would honestly go on to he end but when we
are told we came here to discuss question of power
with them who say have right, and will have
power, he coudoniy answer questions of mower arc
not settled here In Courts questions of wright are
settled ny urcs but there is but one forum for the So,
tlement OF questions of power and hut one ;ns,rn
Inent by which it can be obtained. In Sparta there
arose question of power--a demand was sent mr.
companl"d with threat, that if il was not r;vno he
VINO asked 1t, would come and take it. The answer
was come and take it. He came, but he did not
taxi it. s o'
MI DoDDRDGE said he wished make some observations
III feJ 10 he statements of the gentleman from Norfolk THAI
gentleman had said that by law of Febrary 1917
me senatorial representation reference had not onIv re
white population, but interests other ccus to-
an examination of which that the West were
20 eSht senators and fraction and that East yielded that
aCUon 10 the west which gave them members Mr. n
sad ne would rely his memory and Oppose il e, a,
the gentleman from Norfolk, but he would appeal 10 facts
cou!d not err whether they by Pike Cor or hi
worth - nv "oi'' vi III
ne senatorial bill Of Feb 1917 based the CENSUS Of
I~lU 81. leio the whole white population was 5 0OO osre
garg the fractions OF tousand-ot this ponuation 81 mn
Me'e ond west oil The ue Ridge Out twenty. four rem
ouIs OF inc senate tins population entitled the West IN MIN,
members and large fraction which they lost so that he
senatorial arrang of that year regulated bv white
population aud by nothing else BY the law OF 1871 T.
several annual elections TO give the West their nine meber
hese members din not come into the body until 1920 ic
Census OF la year showed that that period the VYc hsd
upwards OF 4OOO uDrepre eDed Since 1870 the increase n,
population has been nearly 100000 and of the eastern
unrePresenied IN the Senate -''' 1S no"
me gentleman had said that The West had ,reir o,
Shs III 'he Rouse OF ecgaies How correct tba, sraten,
may ~ VIII appear from the following acts-fn 1917 there
We're 10 coites and towns represented This podcoL =
l W ["~ !cnDers here hcn 81 Counties ves NJ
!'e he having G8 members The population bepr 55I nSo
IaJitaHtS, and the number of members 2O2-ihe ,,osc
pSPnauoh bcing 2,2oOO entitled them 784 members
% % Oei'g decIecy of lol members which being sJ w
inc last gave that quarter Of the State an ADVANTAGE ~,
divided vote of2I. '''oS oH d
IL mere was as little accuracy in the other assertion t ~
e were sas1cd With the senatorial arrangement cecIa.n
70 De one hat justice and equity required So far o, tb
n1.l OF the memuers from lle WEI - M