Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-26

you'd fall Tie thought it possible that this very
opinion might induce the failure of such attempts.
freehold qualification, and he could not surrender
them without deep regret. There is no instance Of
departure from this principle in which, in u short
period, not short in the life of man, but i'll the
lie Of nations, without degencrating universal suf
rage. The adoption of that principle will and mus:
produce the degradation of countries. Man viii
pursue downward course when left TO the coiroul
OF the passions which would thus be brought into
influence lie referred TO the construction of his
friend from Augusta relative to qualified voters: and
stated that far tho gentlemen the other side
tcid discovered that this the construction they
determined TO carry the right OF suffrage TO the
utmost possible extent. He hoped his friend who had
brought the committee into this difficulty, would put
his hand TO the helm, and aid in steering the vessel
between this Scylia and Charybds. He called the
attention OF the committee to the resolution which
he proposed TO rescDd aud requested investigation
INTO its singulariy. He then read his resolutions,
serlatim, explaining he proceeded the meun-
ing, and operation OF the provisions.
lie proposed that only such frceholdcrs as are now
qualified can vote under his proposition in the first
resolution. lie then showed what he had stated OH q
ornicr occasion, the freeholder being dcbnrred
from voting on his tenement, while the tenant, ii he
pny tax OF cents for u horse, has such right He
had mentioned this, TO show how cautious gentlemen
ought to be, and to introduce provisions which
were contradictory III their character.
He proposed that all who vote Under the OK
listing laws shall have The right to vote. lie had
been told that nothing be urcqual than the
freehold qualifcation-that while in sulDe parts the
freehold OF % acres may he assessed at very high
Prrce, while IN other parts it will not be assessed at
above bali dollar or dollar II had been
stated that the law provided commissioners sworn to
value lands. He was astani.s,cd hear from the
other side that certain occasion some 70
or 80 freeholdcrs were created at a clip. Il was
provided that SIX months possession is required, I'M
less acquitted by devise marriage settlement He
pointed out the wisdom of this provision and con ell
dcd fer the improbnbi!ity that abuses to anv reat
extent could prevail under il. He insisted that the
present qualifications brought Ia the polls the great
substance of the moral part of the State.
! There was vast difference between refusing
power which ought to be refused and akiur away n
!. right which had been given Had he found The
provision for Which the gentlemen OH the other side
con- end, engraed in the Constitution he would have
Iesitated long before he would have touched it. but
beng opposed to 1t in principle he could consent
TO engrat 1t there lie referred to the lad in Ches
terrified, where 90 acres o. improved land may be
purchased for - dollars. while in other parts % acres
would cost great deal of money. The persons who
come To the polls on this comparatively valueless
freehold bring with them affections strongly fixed
on the part of the Couutry where they hold even so
small stake, and disposition to prevent any causes
Winch would De injurious TO H. lie was satisfied
there may be 25 acres of land which will entitlc n
treeho!der, and that there will be acres still moro
valuable IN the hands of another debarred from yo
ting because of the quantity being within the spec-
| t!cutlon. y man may hold mill with one acre,
more valuable than so acres uf' barren land ~
meet these cuscs he had inserted provision He
could say that the owner OF freehold of the value
OF 30 dollars should be entitled to vote TO matter
"nae was the sum- he wished to shew the principle:
Joint tenants and tenants in common, hodjnu an in
tcrcst and share in any freehold being of the value
! OF one OF these minor ffeeho,ds should have the
right BY the existing laws remainder eXpectant for
term OF years is provided for, but reverson expec
tant alter lac hot provided for He wished In
count the value OF the fee simple at two thirds and
| the revenue at one-thrd He had made this con-
ci'slon with view to place those who have re-
! versonary interests on the same footing with o
! her freehoders. As TO land holders he would
allow the value of lease at ten wears purchase so
thas 1t ID was worth dollars year it would be
valued at so dollars, the limitation Of the freehold
qnaiihcation' and thus admit such leasehoder to
vote. HE stated tho exception to this privilege
which he desired TO be made. where leases are for
hVe years, IN which the tenant has only an in
terest to the amount of his labor and capitol expen
ded; @ where the conditions such that the lease
hoIder s under the perfect controu of the freehol
! der, he did not intend to give up the right The
landlolder who has his tenant so under his confront
that he direct his vote has the power t. compel
and therefore IN such cases the qualification is not
extended The tenant, who sees distress warrant
hanging over him, ready to take the bed from his
child and his wife, feels himself dependent, and
whether the landlord exercises his power hurnanely
by spafng the tenant oppressiyey, the tenant is
at his disposal In tile one case pratitude-in tho
other tear, VIII operate TO prevent the tenant from
acting independently. He referred to the oppressive
character OF the land system Of Great Britain and
PueSS ~ WHICH power OF the IdndhOIdprS
is often there applied. The virtue ofths community
he might be told. would be a security against
these expressions and corruptions. fIe believed
nat at present, no man in Virginia would dare to
use his power in this way, but he could not tell how
soon the time would arrive when this power yyonld
be applied to these purposes ofimprG, er Influences
Human passions are the same, and he was not to
De told that appeals to the gratitude or to the fears
OF tenant would not here be us efiectual as thev
have been found in other countries
hat IS the proposition Of the Select Committee,
an Ieaseholders who have one year unexpired
Leasehoiders In that situation are almost as much
under the control oflandhoders rs in any other sit
| uahon. 10 what may this lead? It had been
suggested that the first consequence would be the
abolshlng Of the right of distress in order to prevent
Tue undue eXe>cise Of the power of the landlord
Gut you must do more than abolish the ripht of dis
tTess you must also take away from the landlord all
lords. ~ i1'''
may he told it is extraordinary that should en-
nEI L. L. L