Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-21

&c OF the utmost impp-tlncc thai they should be
correctly taken, and the great e,iHSoilt b-best
tanned by eg islation and through the agency
OF officers of og- appointment. MIR. D. said he
had 50 framed his amendment, not TO require the
General Assembly, absolutely, to take census in
every tenth year. For time this will lie unavpida-
bly, necessary; but after our settlements shall
become filed with people and The population more
stationary and less fuctuaing such frequent
ratons Will beless cued sor, and may sometimes be
dispensed With
Nr. LEIGH suggested that each superintendent OF
representation ought to be followed ny assess
ent OF the land lax, to which Mr.. d. assented ard
modified his amendment accordingly.
/, Mr.. 1iErGu said that while BY This amendment il
proposed compel the Legislature make ar
apportioninent. no assessment for the land taE
was provided for. fhe consequence would be ihat
While the increase of the white population i'll the
west would prnuut greater ratio than in the East
the people oftle West never be subjected 10 any
increase Of contribution. He took it for granted
thot as the white population fills up and the lands
are cultivated wealth consisting in lands, labor
mus, increase. BOT only viii the value OF lands in
crcase, the population becomes dcnscr and dcnsrr
out the very circ,ir of the incrense OF cult.
vatlon VIII cause the increase of the tuXable proper
ty OF every description the luris And is it part
oithc design Of geutlemcil that the represent alton
shalt increase WITH the increase of popuiaion while
Whatever may be the increase of wealth. contribution
shall not increase? Looking at representation as
distinct from CONTRIBUTION, provision is to I've made
that tle representation ofthc West shalt be increas-
e, ana no precision II male Eof any new assess
men,s.
Mr.. DoDDa.DGE stated that this vas an omission
and that itthe !cTl'ler1an from Chesterfield ,vouIt
drtw up Ills propoSIc:; ~ the Siilpe of az amend
pent, nc would adort it,
Mr. lf:lcH replied '4t be only pointed or tho
difficulty for the majority to amend OF not II was
nn part oftho province CT th l;,.o. 10 aid tire ma
,o-iy =, pc-.cct:2g t,cir schemes
NJ. M"ao.:a moved 10 amend the resolution e.
INSERTING provision that nsscss)e;it Of! the prop
cry subject to taxation Should be made the SAM
time in 1885.
Mr.. MERCER stated that he differed from the c7,n
tlcnlan from Brooke the subject of leaving DIS
| cretlon with the Legislature IN England the cen
5uS rs taken every ten years. aud the lust I'D disclos
ed 4 most extraordinary increase Of population He
referred 'othe utility, of these perodi al returns
the state Oh the arts and manufactures, ard all The PRO
ducts OF the country.
He alIo referred to the supposed expense OF taking
the census ana to the which was taken durinl
the war, to ascertain the various resources of thu
country The commissioners employed on that oc
ca*ion when every thing was taxed from TIA,
plctu' on the wall to the carpet on the FL Dr.
and from the mirror to the cradle ain,
when consequently the laJug was much more one
rons than 1t could be now. paid veyy moderately
lie expressed his qualification, that the gentlernar
from Brooke, had fixed the times for taking the cen
sus between the taking OF the United States census
MI. LEIGH expressed his qualification that tht
gantlemcn on the other side, agreed with linn il
principle. He hoped the day would never arrive
when an assessment would be ired on every arti
Gle OF property, from the picture TO the carpet ant
from the mirror TO thc cradle and the bed of the
child.
Some propositions were made 10 amend & the res
ointion was further modified, when after few word
from Alr. SrANARp, motion of Mr.. Cooke TIT
resolution and amendments were passed over 20 ALLOW
lime Tor the more deliberate consideration of the snh
,jcct.
The COMMITTEE then proceeded to take up tn
third resolution
This resolution reads-fa, the right of suffrage shall COZ
t'a 20 be exercised by all who enjoy the existr
Constitution; Provided, that person Shall by write
ms io" "y unless Inc same small he assessed TO the valu
OF at least dollars for the payment OF taxes such assess
meat u; required by law And shall be extended, LIST, ever
s "'e male cizen OF the Commonwealth resident therein
b" INC age OF Il years, WHO ewns and has possessed for
months OF who has acquired b marriage, descent, devise
freehold es!2e assessed to The value " not less than
nohaF Tor The payment OF taxes il such shall
required By law 3D. vino shall OWL vested estate in Zee
remainder or reverson, in land the of w,ic
s. be doiats sd, who shall and posstsc
!edseloid estate with the evidence Of recorded of ter
oSay not less than I'VE years, and one of WHICH shall
u'iSNfea OF lbe annual value or rent OF dollars; 18th,
who tor twelve months next preceding has been hous,
nceer ana mead OF fanny within the county borough, city
OF election district where he may offer vote vino ha
have been assessed with part revenue of the
wealth within the preceding year. and actually paid the anne
Provded nevertheless thar the right of suffrage shall not
exercised by any person Of unsound mind who shall be
Pasr OF a non commissioned Officer soldier, sailor,
III me service OF me States nor by any person convicted
any infamous offence nor by citizens born the Con
momwean unless they shal-haye resided therein for fv
years immediately preceding the election which they offer
yoie and two preceding said election the county city
G"s' OF election district where they shall offer vote, (h
OF proving such previous residence when disputed to
prescribed by !aw and shall possess some one
more of the qualifications above cuunerated'
Mr.. leigh here read the proviso to the FIRST ouali
ficaton-'provdcd, that person shall vote by vir
tue Of his freehold only, unless the same shall be as
r. sessed to the value of at least & for the paw
neht OF taxes II such assessment, be required by law
ne purpose OF this proyiso, is to fix value to tn
hrSt qualifications and may all understand tn
meaning of the proviso. In the 18th qualification
the right ofsurageis extended to all who arc h.,se
Keepe's and heads of fainles and have paid taxes
without any provision to the precise sum whic
they must be sbewn to have paid. Suppose that til
owner OF this fee-simplo is not the housekeepcl
while the mere tenant is permitted 10 vote on the DO
TAX winch he may have paid, the freebooter is res
trained from voting, unless his house shall he assess
ed to the full vaine winch is specified in the provsc
hr' II enlarged Oh the injustice of this provision
unless 1t were accompanied by u similar provls
whole principle Of the provision he moved to ANN
tue 9TH qualification, By inserting after the wor
"eo;ninonwcolth' the words to the amount Of
Mr.. hANboLPn said he rose to make few sup
"a rrnl