Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-27


usiTpat'on had hecn carried on trou. time 10 time
against the non raeholdcrs, until the reeholdors had
got the whole political power into their own hands;
that they had disputed among themselves and struck
@. IS many as they could; 10 reta n the power in
tue hands OF the balance. The right of voting for
members OF the Assembly was the ancient right of
she freenen OF this coUItry. They have been long
deprived OF 1t ant have borne it peaceably. They
How nave right 20 expect 1t VIII be restored to
them and II 1t shall not, they have right to reclaim
II at their pleasure.
MI. N: SAID we ought to permit these persons to
zoe Eote. we have As much power over that part of
the subject as any other # we have power to act
on the subject we nave the whole power over it.
lie had no doubt OF the power. We are called upon
20 organize CUnvention:-Gf what: 0fthe people:
ana 1t Is our duty TO determine what people are to be-
how they are TO be represented, and who
are TO vote 1t is notf question, either ofeXtension
or restriction OF the right ofsurae under the Con-
st!tuCion' We have power in this case to do as we
please; and il is our duty to do tina, which IS right
Elr. Nj said the on-frecholdpr5 and others of the
rfec white men Oh the COnmonwcalth who have no
right under the law 10 vote for members of the As
semby have been burdrned beyond what any one
could believe, without examining the subject closely
few would fail TO he astonshcd at the burdens OF
these men, OIL reducing them by caIcun ion to their
actual amount-they far greater than he had
any Idea of until fully developed by examination OF
statistical documents be found in the several Off
ces in the Capitol. Mr.. NJ. said he must bcr leave
TO CAL the attention Of the Senate TO close eyam
them the result of his Investigations
lie said by the census of 1920 there were ,f froo
White males OF 10 years OF age 1898 Those of
~ and under 81 years, 20,81O, leaving 1911 4GS Of the
az" Oh - wears and upwards. The freehold voters
do not exceed 900 at the present time and thoro
are doubts whether they will amount TO that nunher
AT the last spring elections. there were 2l SOC poe5
III favor Of n Convention. ard 6eS7 egainst If mn
hih9 .ie "haie poll to consist Of $3.50. II must
De observed that the voters have the ADVANTAGE of
their increase since 1920 is well as the addition .of
o'+"' 10 make up the number OF ; 600 while no in
crease is allowed since tlat time to the go,,r!e j.,
chiS caicn!afIon Iahe from the whole number Of
free white male citizens above the ane of 81 ,,oor
the voters and there viii remain 70 403 who are cy
GUIDED rom the polls in elections. But nycIda from,
inns nnfhOer $500 persons who from various corsos
h%ht De excluded according to the restrictions in the
amendment and there will he IS sos icprive6 or,ha
privilege OF voting This statement shews TINT tho
government is in rho hands Of n minority of tI, No.
pic" w'tch's ofitsalfa suffGieu. reason 10 induce m
Legislature to permit the free men TO voto in tLo
election OF delegates TO the Convention But Tho
voters clam thcir superior right to the confront sc
the government, by virtue Of their title 10 la coil
and the notion that they bear the burden oi' Tho ~
pences OF government; and ii is supposed that The o-
e5 o. the land are tied to the country and the ubc
COCO more securely 'han any other class Of r1en This
Is ne doctrine advanced ia the preamble of 4o ,ct
the 22t OF Charles ID, and rs IS cxD-essod =; ,b .t
1t was lntend"dto follow the English law Tic go
tom OF taxation in this country mas been f,or.II' -,
the Ia,d-hoIders. aud 50 i has been in EarIanJ 7.
Is q Consequences resulting from tho -est lott. -
the right OF suffrage The wohlc landtav - .I I,i
state Mt this time amounts 10 GI75|5SG. While th
whcie revenue amounts 10 Sl2I5G3 Deduct G
the aggregate land tax SiO.53s, the probable ,r,t
Pa'd on the estates OF infonts, fcas sole and for
ciEncr' and on lots i'll towns rot ostobt;ebcd r;,a
proved lots and small farms. rave~ns md min me-
perry, where the owners are not entitled ~ ,,oto
w'Hca IS less sum than OUGHT fo No allowed ond
mere romans $1,000 psd by the voters on Their
l,.zL. f,osp Al
stat ~ makes the average sum paid by each voter
OF - per an:un. 'O'9i
nlr ~. snld be would nov enquire in, tho 1o;,z
ana services required by the government frorn rho
no7-''serH. re SAID the county icvies and moor L.
We might safely De estimated Mt enc dollar nor -
NUN Tor each tithablC TINT in some courtic, IL
nWo"ned to mnch more, and in hut few. ~ :, lcgs .t
Jhern have been instances Of these levies ot,o,,.
INC 10 some counties TOD and , dollars and If ;e NJ
uncommon for them to amount to 2 and > drl1
The labor on the public roads is very considnratJ,
service anu OF great public benefit. The land bIJ
er5 derive moro private benefit from rood ro,ds g.
aDT other class OF the community The voI,,a -
inc itpds ana the products Of the soil are enhanced
or Diminished according TO the state Of Tho road
ct the land holder contributes no nor, r. ~ I;i
81 improvement. than the man who hiss no ,;f1e 80
the soil whatever and indeed some trnns Mt 80
tph'h' lbs service may be estimated at Gv, dsvs
Ia1oIr per annUm az least. The SURVEYORS in ,o,.l
al tho counties call out their hands few d,ve 49,
tore every grand jury court. These courts com,
SIX times year, but in the western counties tho
hand are called out much oftcner In Some conpti
tao hands labo II from ten 10 fifteen days in the year
B1t is probable less labour Is rcCuircf in tL IT,
We mcy fairly average tho labor at f-e do,.- 49,.
year: and at the vaao Of fifty cents per dav. WHEN
IT. IS considered that tie farmer The mechanic, or
merchant IS corocled to leave his business or nav,
me it IS net "AJoTaganf to estimate lis loss and
~" va!ae Z" his iaboy at 30 ccn,t cj,hourl in some
paris 'i ttn STATE mcn may ha hired for less sum.
another vey important service required Of the er,s,
mon D. ih"t Of Ire military. rot su'y in peace but in
*"r We may estimate tic value Of this service in
ponce" at tue same day, rs that for road ser
gee ~" ''' r.. TIE f1"- fras"o f"card.nr q"