Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-30
NJ, FIrzYUGB,s LETTER ON THE CONVENTION
FAIRrAx, Co. April 81, 1929.

FAIRFAX, Co. April 81, 1929.
C,,tLmen.-Yonr letter Of the l4th inst. was
received on Friday last, have delayed an>wer-
inc i, only until my own county should have
owen some indication Of its wishes in relation
70 its representation in the Convention; and
this having been done by numerous and high
Iy rpspectable meeting Of its citizens on The
40 h inst. proceed at once to repiyto your en- :
suiries dir, cted 10 me in common with other
gentlemen Of the district among whom Il Is
nroposed 10 make selection OF representatives
for the Convention.
have no hesitation in declaring myself de-
cidedIy in favor" Of reducing the number OF the
members Of the House Of Delega'es-"ot a,
polishing the Council of State"-"and OF other
wise reforming the Executive Department, SO
as to increase its efficiency, Us responsibility,
and, if possible, its respectabilily.
1 am equally DESTROYS of reforming our Ju
dietary system in any mode, not Incompatible
,vih its perfect independence, that shall secure us
against the undue continuance OF incompetent
ridges, and shall relieve US rom the complca-
ton, the delays, and the expenses OF our Presen
system And while give my unqualified as
sent TO the max m Of prudence iucuicatea m he
Declaration of lnGe2 ndence, that gosernn,en's
long es ablished should not be changed for lish
and TRANSIENT causes,'i am perfecrly willing
"to ingrsh into the new constitution, some safe
and practice al provision for such future amend>
ments as experience may hereafter demonstrate
TO be necessary"
am "decidedly and unequivocally in favor
Of euualising representation agreeably 10 tie
,oiiie population OF the state" as beng the on
ly means of obtaining a faithful exhibition OF
public sentiment, and of giving the greatest
pos ible security TO personal rights. lowe it 10
candor however TO declare, tina, deem it equal
measure of reform with the necessary consu-
tutional provisions for securing fair and e.
DUAL distribution Of the burdens Of taxation a.
mongst The different sections of the State, and
the various descriptions of property. Twelve
of the Senatorial Districts, that, by equalizing
representation, viii command decided major
ity in both branches oflhe Legislature, how pay
very litule more than one third Of the public
taxes. And nearly the whole expenses OF the
government are betrayed by two descriptions
Of property only; land and negroes.
These are evils, tha, IN the changes contem-
plated, ough, to be guarded against, and while
should be unwilling, by premature Commit
meut, to shut myself out from The benefits of
future instruction., beg leave to suggest as a
measure Of wholesome reform, ard OF easona-
Die security to the rights Of property, total
change in our present system Of taxaion-sub-
stituling in lieu Of the specific tax on land, me-
groes, horses, carriages, sc. levy on the
whole Of each mans property proportioned TO
its amount; excepting from its operation those
only, whose property should not exceed in Va
lue one hundred dollars. The same system
extended 10 our parish and county expenses,
would produce the valuable effect Of rescung
I,
Just exactions to which they are now sub ,cteG,
cxActions not proper Toned to N ir props Sy,but
imposing on them prRci>elg me same burdens
that fall on he wca he's mani ,ne commune
ty, whose wealth does not consist in slaves.
In connec ion with these changes, Shall be
prepared % advocate what l deem "a Liberal
extension Of the right Of suffrage
10 its enjoyment all whi,e male citizens Of law
full age; having Lsen for twelve months proceed
ing an election freeho ders or housekeepers in
the county in which they reside; and having,
during that time, been assesssd and paid pub
lie tax carnor help hoping that this arrange
men,, while il would in truth extend the cleo
live franchise go all men having sufficient ev-
idence uf permanent common interest with and
attachment 10 the community" and would en-
phatically exempt from taxation every indiy
dual "without his own consent or that Of his
representative" would nevertheless save US
from the corrup,ions aud other evils insepara-
BILE from sal suffrage, whe'her existing in
name or in reality.
Ihave thus, gentlemen, replied in explicit,
and hope Ineligible terms, to your several
questions. have deemed this course due TO
myself, as well as to the very respectable com.
munity whose representatives you are. With
. large proportion Of that community, consti-
,uting nearly three four'hs Of the district, |
have the misfortune to possess but very linn
tied acquaintance This consideration alone
would have induced me 10 decline the invitation
given me by many OF your most respectable CT
tizens 10 become candidate for The convention,
had not my own county, asking such part only
Of The representation assigned to the district, as
should be proportioned to its white population,
selected me as the individual to whom to con-
fide its own peculiar interests. Thus situated
Ipo longer feel at liberty to Withdraw; and con
curing with you in the opinion, that on such
an occasion, you have right TO the full and