Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-11-23

When proposition OF tnis ga" 'e'"~
charac 'er, totally at war WIN the pi hcip~s
have heretofore sustained, Is MADE, must "s
hardened for exsmini"g both its rxen' aud
,he reasons by which it is supported, be-
fore yirld j. my assent lament that in do
inc go I shall be compelled TO resort to any
thing in the shape of statistical exhibits.
know very well, that 10 debate, statistics
are always disgusting, and ,eldom efficient; out
feel that on the present occasion, l cannot
more clearly illustrate the propositions ! mean
to sustain, than by few short and simple de-
tails, extracted from the reports OF he Auditor.
liza line be drawn from the waters OF the
Chappawamsic, "a stream insignificant IN IL
self. bu, rendered classic by the eloquent aiu-
sions SO often made TO il elsrwhere,) to the
southwestern cornerof the conutyof Ps'rlt k,the
State will be thrown into two divisions; eacn
embracing eleven congressional distrie'S. A"a
If as understand from those who have maze
the calculation, representation oasro v"
Federal numbers be but lille different from a
re representation based on population and taxa
lion combined, each Of these divisions Will be
entitled on The principle Of the amendment, 70
an equal number of representatives. IN the III.
ture Legislature. But the Documents supplied
us by the Auditor shew, that while the western
division embracing among Others the district
have the honor to represent, contains 34s,l2o
white inhabitants, The lower or eastern division,
con, aims only 25a,S6l; leaving balance IN Ia
YOUR Of the foImer, Of 96,369.
l think i, proper 10 remark, IN relation 10
this statement, that il is derived rom tie CEN
sus Of 1890 as presenting the only authenhe
source Of information on this subject And
have fell the less difficulty in resor,ing TO it,
rather than to The uncertain calculations OF The
- -La~l inn IF 40
State in 1929, because, although 'hr use Of The
latter might have occ asioned little difference
OF result in figures, j, would not have ri-
frcted in the smallest degree tue principle Tor
which am con'ending.
But the subject may be presented in still
stronger poin, Of view,by reference 10 the re'a-
tive vote Of The two divisions. I find tha on The
Convention question tn. Western division g,'e
23,oe6 woes; while the Eastern gave only 49,
437; leaving majority in favor Of the former,
of7,s59 An idea, found at one time pre-
vailed, tina, large number OF bad votes had
been given in the Western country, aud that
the expression of public opinion on that occa>
sion, fur nished of course no fair test of The rel
alive strength Of he diff rem, parts Of the State
But il so happens, that the vote Of the two di
visions was very nearly in proportion to their
population in 1920. Whereas, il the relative
increase Of population has been as much greater
10 the Wes,, as has been supposed, and full
,o.e had been taken, the majority ought TO
have been very far beyond wha, was actually Co.
tanned.
But taking the case as il is, il presents this
obvious result: that % 096 voters in hat divi-
SIGN of The State from which come, are, On
the plan Of The gentleman from Cupeper, 10
elect no more represen atives in the Legislative
body than 1886 in The lower division In 9TH
er words, iha, Is votes beIoW tide wafer, are
here after to outweigh in he political scale, %
votes aboce tide water-and that solely on &C
count OF their superior wealth
will no. stop for the present, 10 inquire
whe' her his be reasonable and just; but do
ask, tn the sam spirit in which the question
was pronouuded BY the gentleman from Nor
folk, Mr. Taylor,) whether such an arrange.
men, OF pnliti, al power would br c"nsis'rn
with the r-pubiicaD principles Of our govern
mrnt? Ifi- were proposed to introduce it into
our county elections, 10 graduate the inhncnce
of votes bv the W, ai,h ,h,i accompanied Them,
20 give 10 sixteen affluent men the power 10 Sc
lecr their iavori,e representa- ives 10 opposition
10 the united voices Of ,hr.e and twenty Of rhe,r
poorer neighbnrs, Can there br iou' OF The
spirit in which i. would BE- met? Would i, no.
eve.y corner and S. ction Of he STATE, mingliug
self as well with ,hs iowland wave as with
,he mountain orient?
AID i, he principle varied! is its enormi.,
lessened? Are its evils avoided by ,he section
al character wi h which i, Is pr"po,ed 10 H.
YES. it! To nv mind, sir, this is its mos' OBJ
c,ionsbIe shape. Wheo inequalities are cr-
a,rd smongs those who are living in cons a.
communion with each Other, and whose gent-
raj interests aresone and the same, The spiri cr
oppression is controlled by the influence OF So
cial intercourse; aud The ius, OF power, 1t A.
yield not TO the suggestions Of patriotism, i,
lost amid he calculations of extended and uni
form interests
Blu, when these inequalities are sectional;
whsn the few in one quarter are empowered 10
control the many IN another; where, to what
brnignant influence are the latter to look TO-
protection 10 their feelings and their in'eres S!
MOI TO the Justice and m. gnanimily Of those in
,,ower.e Cnr W. have bepu emDh attic ally told by