Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-29

generally carried with Inn tho entire vote.
interest," the writer OF the circular remained silent
in his seat. Il was left to him who is now accused
by that very writer of having then already engaged
secrcf and fyeacherous negotiations with TIE
tern party to assert and defend tho rights of the
wests menacedas they by this obnoxious propo-
sition. II was LEFT to him to the argument
of the able mover, and to shew how utterly odous
such plan would be TO the western peoplc-how ut-
terly undcserving twas of tho namc of con,pro.
nse-ptan, given to II by its author. twas defeated
by n votc of Sc so What agency had, QUE Of
the house. Ia marsnalling opposition to this dam
gerous plan shall presently shew, when expose TO
public and contempt the atrocious cauninies Of
the writer of the circular respecting the transactions
of the 9th OF December.-But more of this anon
On the 2ist of December. Mr.. Stuart, tone of the
le proposed, that in future apportonments represent
tation should be distributed according to the num-
Der ofquaiiiied voters" voted for the motion, and
On the same day, my friend Mr.. Mercer moved SO
TO amend the report the committee of the whole,
as to confer tho election of the governor The peo
pie. voted for the motion, and with the western
Iparty
On the 9th Dec. motion was made to confer the
election Of sheriff on tie people,. voted for the
| ton.
On the Goth Dec. my friend Mr.. Ncale of Rich
mond county, flor plead guilty to the fact of having
entertained and of still entertaining, sincere friend
ship orthat gentleman though he has the misfortune
to live on the tide water proposed that in future ap-
portonments. representation should be distributed
the house of delegates, according to the number of
sident freehold voters After an elaborate examina
ton of all the documents in the pablo Offices going
Ito sew tho actual number ofTcsdent freehold voters
east and west of the ridge, MIR. Henderson and my
SELF who divided the labor ofihe examination between
u.s. TO our entfo satisfaction that the pro-
posed rule oftu,urc appoftonment was precisely oqu
yaicnt to the white basis Mr. Neale thought differ
emily; so did many western members, who perhaps
had not examined the subject closely as Mr. H. and
myself. L signiticd in the house, my hope that the
proposition would succeed But Mr.. Neale finding
little support from the east or the west, withdrew his
resolution An opportunity, and the only one offered
during the whole session. of obi aiming rood principle
OF future sPporionmcn at least in the house of dele
gates, was, on that OCCASION lost by the western
ty,through dissust and jealousy the quarter from
which the motion came. Had tho west been united
IN ITS favor, there were eastern votes enough and
barely enouglr to carry it through. I presume that
the writer of the circular will permit me to register
this among my orthodox votes, had the honor in
regard TO Dir Nca'cs proposition, to concur with
hnnscltln opinion.
need scarcely tell you that the eastern party uni
iorm!y and systematically opposed every attempt that
was made 10 engraft on the constitution rule of
future apportlonnlent of reprcscn aiion But they
shrunk from taking the unpopular ground of opposing
the principle of future apportionment per se-or in
other words, of maintaining that there ought to be
no rule whatever OF future apportionment Yet, on
the 2Oh OF Dec when II you are TO believe the wr-
ter OF the circular, had been fighting for nine days
under the eastern sandnrd so far deserted my new
coors, as to endeavor to subject the eastern party
the odium of saying hatthey were resolved to have
M rule of future apportonment. The Resolution Of
tered was IN these Words
Resolved, That is expedent that some rule or
pnciple should be adopted for the future apportion-
mcnt OF representation among the people g. through
out the commonwealth of Virginia"
The eastern members manifested, as foresaw that
they would strong repugDance to this test motion.
Ihey went so tar TO endeayor, the floor to per-
suade me to withdraw it. But peremptorily refu-
sed; and they compelled in order TO elude a for
mui rejection of it, TO to the expedient ofayinc
It on the table.
IF ,,otiou IL, Ia, -,
Gordon to amend the report ofthe select committee
appointed to daught constitution, TO take the
ecctlon OF the governor from the people, and confer
1t on he general assembly. voted against the mo
ton, and with the western party.
On the 8'h of January Dir. Garnoit moved to ex-
clude house Keepers paying taxes from the enjoy
OF the right of suffrage voted against the motion,
and with the western party.
On the same day, Mr.. Clayton moved to extend
the enjoyment of the right of suffrage still fur
ther. voted for the motion, and With the western
party.
On the same day proposed the insertion of now
section in the constitution, in the following words-
w. il s.al be the duty of the Legislature to re.
apporton, once IN ten years, TO wit: in the year Ga
and every ten years hereaiter the representation of
the counties, cities towns and borougs of this Com
monweah IN both of the Legislative bodies: Provided
however that the number Of delegates from the afore
said four great districts, and The number of senators
from the aforesaid two great divisions, respectively
shall neither be increased diminished by such re
apportionment And whom nc county shall here
after be created or any city, town borough, not
now entitled to separate representation in the house
of Delegates shall have so increased in population as
TO be entitled, in the opinion of the general assembly
to such representation it shall be the duty Of tho
general assembly to make provision by law for sect
ring to the people of such county, or such city,
town or borough, an adequate representation. And
ifthe Object cannot otherwise be effected it shall be
competent to the general assembly to rc-apporton
tho whole representation Of the great district con-
tanning such new county, such city, town or bo-
Ill
continue 10 force till the next regular dcccnniol
apportionment."
Judge Summers moved to amend it by substituting
the foowiDg
"For the purpose offdturc spportionments Of sena-
tors and delegates the general assembly shall cause
registers from time to time to be formed Of the free.
bold votes in the several counties, cities towns and
boroughs IN which shall be ascertained the number
fquaiGed freehold voters in each, residing on the
land in virtue OF which such right is foundcd and
also tho number Of qualified freehold voters not resi-
ding on the land IA right Of which they vote but
whose freehold estate therein shall be of the assessed
value Of twenty five dollars and upwards. That In