Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-17

and mos, Of those to whommy affections are bound by
the Ties oil affinity and bood;-with the other, my
properly and my consiituens,-thoss who epdear-
ed TO me, by a residence among them Of more than
twenty years. by many proof OF recollected kindness
ana friendship, by gratitude for early patronage, and
Tor politics. Conscience, bestowed before II had been
earned and continued after every claim could have
pretended TO II, had been lost by my removal from
,hem In this state Of divided allegiance ought per-
haps to have taken counsel from prudence ami have
chosen the part oil neutrality. But had been long in
the hab Of considering both parties 10 this controyer.
~ as children OF the same family, constituent and in
seParabie parts OF the same community ,--somewha
diversified IL true, Ia their ssions their
their manners and their character having some inter
ests perhaps notsltogether Ia accordance
less identified In the leading characteristics Of plain
seaeu'tura, republican people-having the same
great interests and object the int yrty
freedom, happiness, and glory Of common country
had long too. cherished the fond perhaps the d.lu.
ave hope-'hat 1t was possible TO reconcile all differ
ences sppease ell angry feelings; to remove all eau
ses Jealousy, and TO unite all parts of the community
lL harmonious action common labor for the common
wsal;-and TO realise this hope, had often exerted
to the uttermost my humble power-l couId mt
therefore, at this most interesting cri,is in public
Affairs, when heated, IL not angry controversy was
expected by all; when serious II not fatal
was cared by many; when all might be lost by mat
ent'on or imprudence, all might be saved by care
and pains,-l could not decline the honorable call to
duty from my old constituents II could not efuse
me trust, when, well knowing nay opinion, they con.
me at full liberty, without pledge and without i'm
sWuction, TO profit by the experience and wisdom of
those around me- and following the dictates of INV own
the public good
After listening attontively TO every thing that has
oeen said,-and much has been ably anil eloou enty
said am satisfied. that by sdvocat the resouoo
oil the select committee. and resisting the proposed a.
,,enuInen', snail cst discharge my duty 10 my con-
'tuent', and my country.
Mr.. Chairman. ar, M fr;.nl ..
been no advocate for the call of this Conyen =
True have thought the old Constitution in some re-
,pects imperfect in theory, and defective in practice
have though, its principal defect that verv ineouav
IN representation. which the resolution Of the select
committee proposes in part to remedy.
thought II also des,ct in the Constitution that II
contained no provision Tor just apportionment tag.
es, or just distribution of the burbens of the
ment among the people Of the Commonwealth. had
peen Tor some years, member Of that branch of IN.
in which the inequality of presentation wa.
most giaring represented in the Senate, district
composed oil SIX counties, in the Valley, containing
men, perhaps, about eighth Of the white popua,ion
OF The State, and with only three others
me whole country West Of the Blue Ridge containing
aoout one-ihrd OF the white population though, I
perceived the Djurons operation of thi. incou,,v "a
questions Of local concern, had often seen the inter
est' OF the East arrayed again those Qt the MA angry
nene se.sss65hs Hy been my good fortune to
ellie their differences. But was satisfied that settled
discomfort arising, that eaousies daily in
creasng. which threatened to tonent discord alien
ate brother from brother, and to the opn-
the difere parts OF the State, which the Gov
eminent would not equally protect. When the West
ern people complained, that they had not just parci
patton 10 the power Of the government, they Of
ten reproached with their poverty and almost always
reminded, that they did not contribute their just pro-
portion OF its revenue. The act of 1882 made for e.
qualiZng the andtax, had thrown the State into four
great districts, the counties into four classes, and had
fixed Standard each class OF the average value of
the land per The first class comprised oil the
tide water counties, with several Of the large midland
counties, and the standard value Of its lands per acre,
ten shngs;the second class comprised the other
midland counties, except P,syivsnia and Henry, and
embraced the two Valley counties Of Frederick and
Bsrkley, and its standard per was IL. 6d.-ihe
third contained Piusyvanis and Henry, with the VAL
ley counties, not included in the second and the
dard value Of its lands IS. 6d.,to the fourth be.
longed the rans-Aleghany counties, rated al the stan
dard value at 81. per acre. This standard, probably
Just and lair at the time when was adopted. had in
process OF time become unjust and operated
The relative value Of land in the several districts had
essentially changed those OF the Western districts hav-
ing risen, and approached much nearly equal
ity with those Of the Eastern But the continu
TO be imposed according to the standard; in
quence whereof, the tidewater district WAS unduly
burtbened, and the other Districts especially the third
and fourth paid less than they ought. These inequa
iies in the imposition Of taxes and in the represe
In the Senate, had been the subject Of frequent discus
and was informed that several intellectual attempts
had been made correct them, by ordinary act of
Legislation. These iruitless efforts served only TO
increase the general discomfort, to nAme anmosi,ie.
and by giving 10 the discontented solid reason for OBJ
jecng TO the organization of the government enabled
hem with tn seize all occasions of pub
lie distress, popular excitement and them the
purpose OF rousing spirit OF needless reform Thus il
happened, that in 1916 the people Of the large districts
being disappointed in iavorite measure, and much
dissatisfied with the proceedings Of the Legislature,
wers persuaded that they had been grossly inur-
ed that the OF their wrongs TO be found in
the unequ, distribution Of the power Of the government
and that their remedy was TO be sought in general
Convention TO reform this and many other fsncied or
real defects OF the Constitution. Under the excitement
which has been denomiDs ted the Staunion Cow enon
The county OF Augusta did not participate in the fever
sh excitement which then prevailed and while IL
willing TO seek by temperate and prudent measures,
substantial relief from acknowledged evils II
willing to encounter the hazard Of general reform 1t
therefore dsputed to the meeting two members of
whom was one, and charged them with the duty Of
endeavoDg TO infuse into the proceedings much Of
temper and prudence possible. and restrain IL EN-
10 respectful memorial asking Of the Legislature that
proper measures might he adopted for organizing Con-
yehton TO amend the Constitution Of the State but with
powers limited TO the objects Of equazing the repress
ation and taxes, and of providing under proper cautions
Tor future amendments The deIbe aons Of this NEE L.
ing resulted In memorial to the Legislature, asking
general Conventions; and in protest by small mnor-
~, TO which the Augusta deputies belonged the objsct
whereof was 10 limit the powers Of the Convention TO
mortal andWoiest were laid before the Legislature at
their sesscNof 1916 and bill passed the House OF De-
legates. providing that the OF the people should
be taken, on the question. whether Convention should
be called, with powers limited these three objects and
one other onlv the extension Of the right OF sufsRe-
This bill amended 10 the Senate 10 limit the
powers Of the Convention 10 taxes and representation
only, and laid the table 10 await the coming Of