Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-11-05


was taken up. declaring that no alteration no
made IN the Bill Of Rights, and il was ;,lopt.
ed without debate or opposition.
MI. Powell then enquired. il any proposi-
ilon could be offered as AN addition 10 the
bili OF Rights-such as the Resolution suh
United ~ few days ago by the gentleman from
Norfolk, (Air. Taylor)
Inc Char pronounced II TO be out oforder
atter some conversation between Messrs
Doddr1dge, Johnson and TAYLOR, Mr. bod
1rdge moved TO take up the Report from the
Legislative Committee: which was agreed 1,
but on the suggestion of MIR. Powell. the Com
mittse reconsidered the question of taking up
inc Legislative Report, and having il on the
table; which was carried in the Affirmative
And then on motion, the question of re consi-
denng the Report of the Committee on the
BILL OF Rights, was carried in the affirmative
Nhereupon, the Bill Of Rights was itself
read, first by the Clerk, and then nv Che
Chalnnan--when Mr.. Taylor moved the re.
solutions lac had previously submitted. ON Fri
day last, as follows:
hesoieed LIST, That the elective franchise
should be uniform; so that, throughout tie
otatc, similar qualifications should confer
similar right Of suffrage
isesoieed I'd, That among those entitled by
tne constitution to exercise the elective fran
chise' uiere should he entire squalityof suffrage:
SO that, in all elections, the suffrage OF one
qualified voter should avail as much as that of
another qualified voter, whatever NAV be the
disparity Of their respective fortunes.
ReSoired Sd, That equal numbers of Quail.
he'd voters are entitled TO equal representation,
throughout the State
hesoteed 4h, That as indicidual suffrage
should be equal without respect to the dispar,-
" oil individual fortune, so an equal number
Oh qualified voters are entitled 10 equal repre-
sentation, without regard to the disparity of
their aggregate fortune
Ressteed 9th, That in all pecuniary contri-
button, TO the public service, regard should
be had to the ability of individuals TO contri-
butte, and as this ability to pay, from dispar-
ity OF fortune rs unequal, il would be unjust
and oppressive TO require each citizen to paw
an equal amount of public taxes
MIR. /, then moved change in the Sd re-
solution, so as to read, (Which was accepted
by the Committee):
"Resoiccd Sd, That representation should
be uniform throughout the State"
Mr. Taylor rose to address the COMMITTEES
IN support OF his resolutions He stated, that
he had notcome to the House prepared to go
INTO the argument, but he should not shrink
$3.50 aiN a,oh, ald tildl Ht AnDuiu proceed To
address them with the profound feelings of
Difference which he felt for such an assembly.
tie thought the resolutions were so plain. that
they required no laborcd argument TO support
them; that they were such as were founded
on The principles of our government. and that
ne should content himself, therefore, with an
explanation OF them, which he thought would
constitute their best and sufficient defence
That they related to two great questions; the
right OF suffrage, and The principle of taxa
non.-lhat they, however, bore upon a sub
Ject which engaged the faculties of every
head, and the pnlsatIon Of every heart, viz:
the basis OF representation. lie stated, that
when he came here, he had come with mind
perfectly open TO conyiction--that he had
sought light from every quarter, and CONVEX
sed with gentlemen OF both sides of the cues
tion-but he found himself confused by the
multiplicity of arguments: as the eye is blind
ed by the excess of light, and that, in this di-
lemma, he had had recourse to his own re-
Elections, and had analysed the subject into
ITS first principles, that in considering this
question, he should think himself bound to
consult truth more than consistency; and To
subdue the pride of opinion; and ne pledged
himself, openly and publicly, to abandon such
opinions, and he might now express. the
Gen. L. then read his resolutions, one by one
He stated, that the Committee would per
celye that these resolutions grew out Of one
general principle the Elective Franchise and
the manner in which it shouldbe exerted, that
by the theory Of the American Constitutions
the sovereignty presided in the people, and
that the best mode of administering that so
vereignty, was by agents elected by the peo-
pie--that thus all our institutions rest llDon
the great principle OF Representative Repub-
hcs--that the administration Of the sovereign
ty OF the people should be exercised by repre-
sentatlves selected by them--but that il was
not his intention to enquire who are the peo-
pie-whether it be all the people--or those
only who fight the battles of the country, or
pay the taxes IN the piping times ofpeacen--
or, merely those To whom the government
has assigned the power of voting lie would
not approach these questions; but the resolu-
tons presuppose that the persons in whom
the Right OF Suffrage is TO be exeised, are
marked out by the Constitution itself Tie
stated. that suffrage is the means, and repre-
sentahon the end.
Suffrage, then; ought it TO be uniform
throughout the State, or shall it be denied in
one portion of our territory to persons differ
emily situated in anotherp Your Bill OF Rights
says, that elections shall be free; we should
add to it that they should be sijoyns. No va
ration can be made from this principle with
out allowing to some persons immunities and
privileges denied 90 others. The basis of the
present Constitution is freehold, but there are
parts OF the Commonwealth where different
rule prevails In the west Augusta it is not
the freebooter but landholder who is entitled