Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-29

mount 10 an UNI. ne gentleman may say whether
or NOT am right. That the numbers do very near
iy approximate. Is certain. How much the differ
cnce my be, Is unworthy serious deliberations Here
then the gentleman from Augusta, and the gentle
man from Loudoun stand ground of the amor
tonlent, which leaves the four grand divisions ofthe
State, almost as they will stand On the mixed basis
II YOU take the federal number and work b. that
rule 1t wiii b'ing you To nearly The same result
Now,h deserves to be mentioned as memorable fact
that tbs concurrence of three different processes all
leading to the same esu.t, shews the Justice and SD
gaciy OF the scheme of the gentleman from Culpep-
er, Mr.. Green.
He rcsortcd TO the nlan of Il nyod basis or ,,v
alton and representation, not arbitrary-lor with
view 20 claim and To conquer power but on mature
delioefaiion, weighing van lous interests they ex-
lStnu mt from mere specula tion-and il does hap
pen, such Is the Influence of the slave Dropertv
(Which is not property merely but men Oil The other
Grasses III persons and property in the community as
to render 1t indispensable that they should be consii-
cred In The ratio And it is another and most sri-
king evidence of the sagaciy and wisdom, of those
who Original ed the federal number. 1t acts on The
Just principles OF political economy The slave pop
uatiUn acts not only the labourng power of soci
lety--hut 1t takes the place of men, Wherever sn.
very exists and you look to the free men of society
Tor lis government, and there is any property quail
fcation you at the same object or verv
~ so, by adding 35tlis of the slave population as
by asccrtainng all the voters, and apportoninp your
representation according to numbers.
This view ofthc subject is coilsunf II presents
us point where all the processes meet and comedies
and then the only question (sceing this is the re-
suit 10y either calculation not winch ratio shall be
employed just this moment; but what shall be fixed
upon as the rule of future appori orinenis On hot
subject, every consideration Of wisdom and of eonye
Eohcc, requires that discard al once other modes
OF calculation, and take the easy simple pract;caI
plan of the Federal number and make our onporion
ment by that.
! Why are VIC TO take this? Not arbi.rar;iv bp,
because 1t agrees with the other processes and be-
cause II any other is resorted to- for the future rule
you force artificial state of thinps bv bnldino
| out to politicians and lnIiv
pioduce 1t, with view to unequal distribution Of
political power. If you take taxation as your rnio
Legislation may be moulded, by right principes
Out sinisacr views to i: influence on politicaf now
er; and taxation may be managed, so as merely to
Affect the balance Of that power.
| II you take the rule of qualified voters ONLY tbnn
you encounter.the difficulty of accurately daiern,
ing their number The very element of caleulation
Is wanting. If you go to the Commissioners hooks
you encounter the toll and expense of registering all
Ihe lawful voters throughout this land: and YOU en-
counter besides, the active principle alluded TO nv
the gentlemap from Augusta. LEADING mon RI ma o =
laise ana fraudulent representation of the number of
tlose Votes,a give AN artificial exaggeratioh of IL
and thus you will have on your books host Of man
OF straw, who disappear at he polls. You do more
And wonder that the strong and masculine mind of
Inc gentleman from Augusta, did not see this dan
ger ana fepuolate the rule If ] understood him
arlght, there is who regards with a sronrar
feeling oftoreboding and solicude that mart of
iuty winch consists III prescribing the qualification
OF voters, than the gentleman have tie authority
OF MS Whole political life lard the lie of no man
can DE lnore confidently appealed to, TO determine
he future from the past for this assertion And
what must be the consequences, If lie adopts This
prlnciPle as a future test political power
The very FIRST effect Of it, will be to turn tho
thoughts OF this Convention not TO the considcrotion
OF the reasons which egitimatey belong to the sub
Ject, but to It's influence the grand question of
power. -
The effect will be, that YOU interposoa barrier 70
iar, candid, and iudcious decision of the questions
Affecting Lhe limits OF the Right of uSffage. ( am
not sure that can exempt myself from the opera
tlon OF sucn an influence. fear that my, mind MAJ
be turned away, from considerations Justly belonG
ing to those questions by the important and decisive
iiiLuehce OF Whatever principles we adopt to reru-
late the Right of Suffrage ON the All ohsorb7no
question now under considerations
FMS Is the inevitable effect of fixing upon the ra
tio OF voters, as principle of future action But
what VIII be the effect in future' Fraud and smu-
latIon III hXlng the number of voters. Insuperable
dhcuty will arise in getting at the real number of
Voters-And allowing you to get at it first, what
VIII be ine result hereafter2 We propose by the re-
soton ~ Tue report OF the Legislative Committee
many new classes of voters. We embrace all who
are house Keepers and have been assessed for.
ana nave paid revenue taxes | kncyr
not it 1t will be carried to that exiert-but IN
has been proposed. But, assuming that that r,,Ie
SAa! OBTAIN what Is the number of qualified voters le we
look TO the numbers now but in after time Wjs e
the time the shall be taken we cannot ioo % S M
census oui to that taken in the year the
nent Well! And wha, the expence at which ,be aacen
"diy OF political power may be purchased? Ave purchaed
P up 10 aucuon-and you the oferers-he deIinaueni
IN the payment of county levy shilling tax will pTobaiIy
e9e o or 200 for each county, and they may be pre-
suel nave not taxable property The number of voters al
l time taking the criterion suffrage the pavnen Of a
e'ehe TAX are probably about 600 of the Ridge: and
~ me me ejaculation oil gentlemen other side there are
oo OF UVOV more above the age of2 who either have no
P"ly AZ all or no taxable propcyYou sir well know
aseEeFy co'De OF this Committee knows that from the man
m, " "hch 'h assessments made every Individual bv his
own mere pse dixit qualify himself to vote so far aat
pudHcdoh dfpend on having his on the copmissiu,es
ODoA ana an assessment of propenv-Stupose the
Ease o contractor OF manufacturer who has in his employ 500
y .ooeis every one OF hem subject his heck and cali
81 Ipr properly yet every ofem may pleasure when
@ Vi ~ NC commissioned, affect horse or some
PoPeiV not SUBJECT To higher tax than cns aud r;ys ia
as property owned by him and liable revenue tax and
Iii @ ng Pto ne ranks as voter, and than that he
VI" 1'er INTO the computation when representation n r., l
Ppuo'Cu by TINS process, 10000 may added to the
IN nGS " os d an expense Of $500 and the addition this