Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-12
6lH COOKIES sECOND Conc,vded

IT,
But tn return. have said that the plan of re-
present ation or distribution OF Bower, aimed in
the amended c0nstlt utou. EAR approximation
to the waite basis, is f,nIharly called, "a 10 be
clnlvaient To II, ut present. IN practical results. You
Will perceive, III the very terms o this proposition
;act admission that 1t may not be equally favorable at
some future period And III this 'n,ays,ot" is in
VOWED the vcXcd Qaeson Of the probable future rcla-
tive increase OF population iii the east and the
Ca that Question shall, by aud by, say somcthimg
Sutce II to say at present that conccdiaw hypothcti-
caiy, the correctness of the most sanr,c calcium
tons Us to the comparatively rapid increase OF west
population, il future, and admitting the irnpor
lance of eng rafting the consultation plan for tn
ture apportionncnt which this constitution wants, it
found after mGay trials, utterly impossible TO
carry, the convention, any plan OF future apportion-
ment which would not have been worse than noae at
al. The alternative was, OF course, presented Of
taking constitution destitute of this valuable fen.
none.t could not hesitate in my choice be-
tween these alternatives. And do not know that
can better express my view OF the subject then hv Il
doping familiar illustration suggested by srcwd
aud sagac1us friend. Suppose that, being very hun
CRY, you were asked to partahe of excellent din
ncr. You reply to this inviting proposition, Sir
WI checrnlly dine with you to day, provided you
will agree to give me rood dinner whenever I
call you about dinner time hereafter" Your llust
replies, You exceedingly welcome, sir, to par
take ofthe dinner before you, but really cannot bind
myself as you propose" - ould it be wise in you to
80 away hungry, because the promise of future rood
cheer withheld: |, for one am clear for partak
ing of good cheer to-day. 1t will invigorate my sys-
TEN, and enable the better to procure good din
ncr 10 morrow.
But is the repast YOU arc o,c invited to par,ake of
really good one: Is the proposed constitution in
lis actual and present distribution of political power
suc an enc as you ought to accept Is it, in pract
cal results nearly or quite as good, at present, Us the
basis 81 white population l. 1t not at present. 10 tie
Tc2pts IF tic PaItcy. white population in d'sguiSc:--
These are the questions propose to consider.
You will perceive at once that these questions can
answered ICh3 ir
the actual white population of the dlerenIsocons of
the state IN 1880. 1.-THE census Of 1890 were adopt-
ed as the standard by which TO measure the fairness
oi the distribution OF power made by the amended
constitution, if If could be Justly inferred that the
rate of increase has been uniform III the last ten
years throughout the state, the representation aot-
ted by the constitution to tie country vest OF
the Blue ridge, would be abundantly satisfactory
For acco ding TO the relative numbers of the white
people east ana west OF the ridge in 1920 the Yves;
Is entitled TO SO members only, out Of i3l, on the
'Wite basis; and the Constitution allows it pre-
cissiy that number.T But it is admitted, On ali hands
that the white population west of the Blue rdre has
increased faster, since 1920, than the same descrip
ton of population OF the RIDGE The difficulty i.
10 ascertain hoso nsuch faster. And this is really
question of great difficulty Bat it is impossible K
arrive al correct opinion of he merits of he new
constitution without forming opinion this pre-
kous question, viii endeavor throw on the sub
cct all the ligh, which have myself been able t
obtain
II is subject to which have been compelled BY
sense OF duty to devote, during the last few weeks
many hours OF anxious considerations the result @
which will state 10 you for what it may be worth
will premise that the public opinion has been great
~ InIsed, as suppose by the Auditors report, mad
by order Of the convention IN October last.
According to that report the estimated white poy;i
ation of the country cast Of tie ridge, in 1929
Tie estimoted willie population Of the coun-
Try west ofthe ridgc,is ato,5l,