Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-11-12
Extract Of letter to The .aIerandiia Gazette,
dated
"RICHMoND, Nov. 8. 1870.

tees, the Convention has been engaged IN a
constant and laborious discussion of the first
resolution of the Legislative Committee, de-
claring that representation in the House OF
Delegates ought to be apportioned according
TO white population This is. by far. the
most interesting question that win BE agitated.
Ii involves one of those unfortunate contests
for power, which are, Of all things, most diff
cult 10 settle. The people of the upper coun-
try, goaded by the long course OF arbitrary
and nggardly misrnle to which they have
been subjected, and satisfied that transfer
ofpowcr must be the necessary consequence
o. cguallzing the legislative representation of
the state, demand, as a right appertaining to
the majority, representation proportoned TO
their white p0paiation. Their claim is resist
ed ON the ground that (aithough in q ma iori-
tyl The people Of the lower country pay the
O. test portion Of the taxes of the STATE. and
hove, Therefore. right to retain the power OF
Government IN their own hands The con
test mas given riscsso one of the Glost animat-
ed and brilliant iise SONS have ever heard
AL the principles 81 constitutional law have
been most ably developed, and every iuch Of
ground has been contested With a zeal sur
passed only by the dignity aid dccorpm with
which the battle, On both sides, has been
fought. The debate is still II progress, and
will probably continue to the end of this
week Mr. Monroe is the only oRe of
our veteran Statesmen who has yet taken part
in the discussion; aud his course was precise
" such as may be anticipated from them al
designed and calculated to repress the imdis-
Greet arior of the younger Ineynbers of the
Convention, and to bring the contest, If posi-
bic, TO peaceable and harmonious termina-
ton.
Gas far as can be gathered from the indi-
cations given, the vote, on this first and most
important question will be in favor OF the up
per country. The So members from the
west side Of the Blue Ridge are unanimous in
favor Of the white basis. as il is called To
these may be added, with entire certainty, the
four Delegates from the Loud0ln District,
four from Albemarle, two from Piusyiqania,
and three from Bedford, in the Fast, making
altogether 40, or majority OF two. 10 these
viii probably be ADDED MIR. Madison, OF
Orange, and Gon. Taylor, of Norfolk, who
think the principle contended for by the up
per country right in theory, and viii accord
ing vote for it, unless ''palsied (as l'ir, 3D.
ans would say by the will Of their constiti-
ents'
"The next question viii be on the basis of
represent ION in the Senate And here a
portion OF ia, members from the upper coun-
try wil very readily yield to the taS-ptVins
minority a ma. ority of representatives, by
way of check, if, by SO doing, they can, IN
any degree harmonic the discogtiant feelings
OF the Convention and OF the Ste te, ana insure
the adoption of the new Constitution. But
from the violent threats occasionally heard
from heated partisaE,. olgt CT doors. aud ifoEf
mdscPeel threats once or twice uttelet "a .ile
house, it is not Impossible thar no offers Oh
Cancellation may be accepted, III Thlch case,
the uppeI country win be coustrAnci. by a
united vote, to assert and u,9intai. the full
extent of its rights, and thus tarcW oil, at
once, The odioas bondage IN which Il has
hitherto been held by small nii'oilty IN the
Eastern and Southern sections Oh t..e state.
"Mr. RANDoI.PH there, as wen as else
where, an object OF great curiosity Ills
health is better than it has been for some
time past; and amongst his friends, he indul-
ges, as heretofore, III great degree OF plea
santry and sarcasm. He declares bis deter
mination to take no part in The proceedings
Of the Convention. and takes bis seat every
day at the back Of the presie Char, en-
trelv out of the range OF the speakers; una
bic, however, TO contain himself entirely he
Is, every now and then, heard in shrill UNI
der tone, either prompting and encouraging
his friends, or criticising his opponents. lie
Is particularly annoyed by the nunberless
Visitors, of both sexes, that crowd the lobby,
the gallery, and the vacant seats OF the hall;
and no little merriment was excited the other
day, when his voice was heard, amid the
crowd at the door, exclaiming: Mr.. Sergeant
/ Ill thank YOU to put me into the Convention
lie is very violent on the subject now before
the house, and VOWS that if the white basis
prevails, the State must be severed, and the
South side have q government of its own
And what he says, sometimes IN jest and
sometimes from irrita.t ion, others. am sorry
] TO say. too often utter 10 much less venia
spirit"
From he ,Riclano1d Whig, Of Saturday last
=. On yesterday, Mr.. Fitshigh Of Fairf.ar
addressed the Coaoeatioss fer o'ie hour aad Z
q'Gfer, and IN a speech Of much pFs'ctied! ab's
~, IL f,lpof Of The basis q ,chte population
SIR 4. represents the district composed 81 Lou
soun attd Ediyjar-the. FIRST county decided an
T's''inots III fteor If iehite representation, IN
I's! IN .faror ofo Convention, bit from late dc
nla1s:laticts, inclined 10 fanor the basis Of pro
Iefy combined ,cih representations. hassia.c
lions bad either bees. sent to M r. from tmF
.lac, q. attempted 10 be gotten ,p, against u
tsis Of ,cLite represcl.tation---b pf9fafrlag {
represent The ,ohoie ratiar than part, .ur- r
gter 0dpertine 10 the circumstance q The ~
H'fctioIls, oppressed himself most fr,eqtaroeai5
"a t@rOr Of The basis ehich he ,belieaed to De
We eery essence disqualification a ttnadanleii
Ia principle, ,ehich'fnot obserred, the Repa6f'
"dS one ~ name megcly
n Il reyy Interesting scene then occurred J.
'@'g pause easaed after Mr. Fit-htgia had con