Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-11-11

but by part for the benefit of a part. i
there had been no description Of citizens
IN the Commonwealth bat one. such as
we're possessed of 100 uncultivated. or 81
acres Of cultivated land, or Of town lot
with a dwelling upon it, then might the
compact be truly called and considered a
compact by all, and for the benefit Of all,
and one which might have been adopted
for all future times. THIS was not the
case. -.
The Constitution which was made did
little more than to continue the previous
state of things. That state Of things was
scarcely changed; except that a Senate
took the place of a Legislative Council
House of Delegates succeeded House OF
Buroesses. and the Executive head was
changed in name. Those who constliu-
ted the Government possessed the same
qualifications. and were elected by the
same: and they co tinued IN possession OF
the same power. When this State receIv-
ed her charter from the King Of England,
the representation in the House Of Bur
oesses. was tolprably fair representation
oftbe Colony as It then existed. AT that
ii ne there were but few counties IN the Col
ony. and there was no interest but that OF
the planter, since agriculture was the unl
versal profession. Such a representation
therefore, for such a community, must br
considered as Just, fair and equal and suli-
able 10 the genius of the age and OF the
Colony. But owing to causes subSe
ouent to the origin, that representation
which may have been once just aud equal
has now become unjust aud most grossly
unequal.
In time ofprofound peace, the Unequal
Iiy nf representation was productive of an
III conseouence Owing TO the unfortlfied
condition of the frontier and the spar,eoess
of the population, the western counties
we're continually engaged in war-a state
ofthings which remained tIll Wayne's bat
tie with the Indians.
Before the Revolution, considerable chan
pes we're mads. Before the Revolution
the counties round the residence OF the
Governor we're subdlvided into small pre-
cincts TO each ofwhich two members of the
House of Burgesses were allowed. Hence
# we look at the colonial map, we shall
find the representation distributed in dou-
BILE, treble, quadruple the proportions a.
round William burg. All West Augusta
had Suttwo representatives. while an equal
number WAS allowed to each county, and
one to each DO ough, having separate rep
resentatiOn.
Thus representation grew up TO be une
oual. and with that inequality grew up
the public dissatisfaction. At length III
1916, public opinion vas brought TO bear
upon the Senate. lie referred TO this fact
! in the history Of the State, in order to meet
and to refute the statement that the primer
| pie of the white population basis, was d
new, an alarming aud a cruel innovation,
and had never before now been heard of 10
Virginia. Since the year 1870, there la,
been scarce a single year, when petitions
hayenot been poured into the Legislature re
quesuuR that a Convention should be cal
led for the purpose Of correcting the exist,
ling abuses. Petitions OF this character
came annually from Patrick and Henry
counties until 1914, and were as regularly
looked for as the annual returns Of the
session. All these memorials asked tor d
reformation of the elective franchise, al
extension OF suffrage and an equalzat o
Of representation. IN 1919, to proceed
with his friend from Northampton, Mr.. d
stated that bill was brought In the Hous,
of Delegates, Tor the purpose OF making q
new arrangement of the counties, by throw
ing them into senatorial districts. Ii w
look at the popular representation IN tina
body, We shall find that two hlths Of tn,
whole Of the white population were repre-
sented by four senators, while the remain
ing three fiths we're represented by twenty
Thus inequality has never ceased 10 be tel
by those of our citizens who live beyond
the Blue Ridge; aud no gentleman wouIC
be able 10 resist the CONVICTION that lrOu
such inequality must have resulted mucl
msrule aud great practical evil. Nhei
the constituents ct the gentlemen from Ga,
West demanded the passage OF d bill Il
change tins inequality, beng opposed by
the great majority from the East, ever
attempt was defeated, aud Tire bull was VA
timely rejected. The proposition to tax,
1t up, after being LAID Oh lhe table, was pu
down hya silent vote,
There was not before this time a slngI,
Eastern constitutional lawyer OF emuneuc,
who did nOl say That the Legislature hac
no power to change the districts. They
stated tina. the same power winch mad,
the Constitution land of lhe districts; anC
that n M that Instrument no authority Il