Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-26
LETTER FROM MR.. DODORIDGE,
On The .Neto Constitution.


dcncc here, 20 observe the course of public opinion
in Eastern and Middle Virginia, respecting the new
Constitution, and to address my constituents and
friends on the subject before the approaching elections,
at which the fate of that Constitution is to be decided
In doing this is my pu pose, very briefly, review
the proceedings in the late Convention, so far
tce the difficulties that lay way resulting from
tho organization of the body ITSELF and the means by
which our equal and just claims were betrayed and
LOST
When Napoleon had planned the conquest of Spain,
nc halted for with his army at BayOnne,
where he invited the Spanish Monarch to visit him
friend to consult on measures for their mutual safe
ty The King of Spain was induced to accept this
friendly invitation. He visited Napoleon, who mnie-
diatey seized him, compelled him to rcnounce his
right TO the crown Of SPAIN shut him up in prison. &
marched his army the Pyrennees Tor the con-
quest ofhis deudcd prisoners drminons Through
ont Christcndon,, this conduct called treacl-
cry.
II is we'll known to YOU thai before the late Convcn-
ton, tho people West of the Allegheny had their full
snare OF representation in tho House of Delegates,
but this availed them nothing while their friends in
the Valley, and in the large counties below and near
the Blue Ridge had So much less weight that House
than they wero entitled to. The tidcwacr country
governed the State and we all suffered alike the des-
troyng effects of tidewater misrule. In 1885, our
friends i'll Loudoun proposed meeting at Staunton,
which took plcco. AT this meeting friends be-
low the ridge, and in the Valley were represented
together with The extreme West. Certain resolutions
were adopted, expressive Of the of the meeting
and published to the word The leading defects in
the existing Constitution were pointed out These
were manly the responsibility of the Executive
the UNEQUAL apporiionment of Representations the re
stricon the right of suffr and the want of pro-
vision for future amendment. These defects were
preaosed to be rcmc''icd by abolishing the Execu-
tive Council; by apportioning representation in both
branches OF the General Assembly among the white
population equally, and by extending the right of su
frose to all, whether rechoGers not, WHO shave
evidence OF permanent common interest With, and
attachment to the community The means of re-
dress proposed was petition to the Assembly to pass
law FOR taking the sense otthe people calling
Convention. There were some members of The
:; annton meeting who would have preferred acting
at once on Society, to appeal to the General AS
scmby, constituted as it was, aud it is to be regret
TED that that course was not taken then afterwards
The petition of the Staunton meeting was rejected
by the Assembly in the sessions of 1926 and 1926
1t was agreed to in 1927. The law, however ONLY
authorized freehodcrs to vote on that question
This vote was taken at the Spring elections of 1923,
when 81 1893 frcehoders voted for, and 1857 against
aConveuton; thus giving majority Of freehoLie5s
of oil in favor of Convention, and of dividing
their power with their non-freeholding brethren
With such majority of freeIolders concurrino with
the views and individual wishes of the non-freehold
ers, class nearly numerous themselves, seri-
GUS opposition to the call of Convention on such
prnoiples as to give fair expression of the popular
will not expected ct that opposition was made
and sustained by the whole force of the East in the
session of 1923. The struggle that time resulted
in the passage of a law organizing Convention of
90 members, four of whom were to be chosen hv e.cb
Senatorial district This law was forced on ms by
tue East. all The Hest uoting against it. Thus the
Convention itself was organized not by those who
sought but by those who opposed IT. not by the friends
but by the enemies of reform.
The extent of the injury done the West will appear
from tie following facts:
The Senatorial Districts had been formed in Fee
bfuary, 1917, with O view TO equal representation
of white population; but, at that time, we haI no
tables of population later than those furnished by the
census of 1870 In 1910, the white population East
Of the B'uc Ridge was 333,837, and West of that
~ md l.r1- a.
white population the Senators were app,rtioned he
tween the East and the West in 1917.
When the Convention law was passed in Pcbrua
ry 1922, the General Assembly, if that body had not
intendcd gross outrage on the principles of Justice
could have had recourse to the of 1920 Then
the hte population stood thus:-Fast of the Ridpe
1888, ana West, e54308 Had the 90 members
OF Convention been divided between the East and tho
West, according to the Census Of 1890 the West
would have had 403 members instead of Sc the num-
her which the law gave Us, and the East SOL mem
bcrs instead of so, which the law gave them. The
proceedings and votes of the Convention will alum
dainty show that, but for the wanton ipinstica
Of adopting the tables of3l0, for Distributing repre-
sentaton in the Convention, and even ussumino
those of 1920, the West, with their friends East of
the Ridge, would have had difficulty in making
and presenting to the people, for adoption Consti
tuition founded on just prnc pies. But to have dealt
Justly with us, the Assembly of 1928 ought to have
made reasonable allowance for the chaEee of pon,, |
Iation between 1920 and 1929. The amount of that
change cannot be correctly stated; but from an esti
mate furnished by the Auditor in pursuance of an
order OF Convention appeared that the white popu
Iation in 1929 682, POL Whereof there resided
East of the Blue Ridge 362,746, and West 3195I6
and from this il would appear that the West were
of right, entitled to 45 members nearly and the East
to 81 giving the East, i'll the whole body maior,
of little more than six instead of twen.y-four.
Notwithstanding the injustice done as in giving us
but SO members, there were many and among them
who believed the friends of reform would outnumaer
their advcrsaries in the Convention This hope was
generally entertained nthe West, and as far as |
know, the expectation was general, that should the
great principles oreform be definitely carried against
us in Convention, would retire in BODY and
frame and offer to the people, as the representatives
of majority of them, Constitution formed on our
principles; and this determination appeared to be
almost universal among the Western members, until
the session had progressed several weeks am per- !
iecty confident that if there had arisen no division
dmong ourselves, and the Western members had ro-
tired with ..dmnitY and calmnnss, 10 rsa an nxn-o-