Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-02

Mr. President, am not particularly anxious for the
adoption of rule Tor re-apporonmont Of representa-
ton, but for the hope that il would unite in harmony
and peace, the conflicting materials OF this Convention,
and by consequence TO render the amended Corsttu.
ton, (provided II shall be good one) to the willing
acceptance OF the people.
believe, Sir, that the best rule which could be fix.
ed spcn, ought TO he founded in white population and
taxation combined-and were We to have another Con-
ventoD, think may safely prophecy that the people
would so direct it, But we have in vain pied TO
establish that rule aud in its absence, sincerely be
eve that my rule in the House OF Delegate assocat.
ed with permanent Senate, spproximates very ne
y, not equal to the excellence aud fairness of that
rule which il founded population and taxation.
promised to prove to gentlemen Of the east, that by
tue operation OF my plan, no III would accrue TO the
east. will endeavour to redeem that mise.
Althouge there .x seven millions. Of acres Of
land west Of the Blue Ridge than the east-yet
single glance at the geography Of the western erion
inrontestbv proves that there cannst be IL
much land there there is in the east calculated for
the profits and purposes Of agriculture is rse that
the assessed lands Of the exceed those Of the east
in quaRtity according to the Auditors tables. Bat
who does no, know that very great quantity Of tina
assessed land is wholly unfit for human USE and not
desirable as hauns for wild beassl But lot assume
that there Is an equal quantity east and wes fitted for
The hahitaon aud enjoyment Of man-and this il very
lair for the west can you then doubt, Mr.. President
that from the very face Of the eastern country and the
character OF its SOIL th't il 10 capable Of. and will
eesssary be cut up into smaller reeholIs in the pro-
gre.' OF time, much greater ia number than the lands
OF the wss.
Again The lands In the east assessed for taxes
20 the sum OF 74, 900 more than those of tho west
This fact indicates the conclusion that the eastern
lands are more valuable and consequently capable OF
containing denser population.
Let US now see what relation the whole white po-
phaton oil the west bears to that Of the To 1929
the white popuIt OF the east is stated by the Audi
tor to he BOZ 00O that OF the to BIO $40
the difference between eat and west as 10 the white
males above the age OF is years. is IL 00G in favour
the east Now Sir, what il to become Of these white
males viii they not necessarily, from all the odvsn-
tages al hand soon become ireeholders, and thereby
augmen,ing this existing majority of the east!
Ii is fact somewhat curious to know land be leye
contrary to ordinary opinon) that the ratio of Tree
to the white population OF save-holding comm unity
IS much greater, than TO q community Of white poru-
l"oon. acknowledge that my impression was, that
ireeholds would multiply faster in non slave -hodin.
com mum y But The fact is not so.
! On the West side Of the Ridge there are 80 900
white people, and 80, SS7 freehold,: On ,b. East aid.
there are 1862 Don white persons and Sc $40 reehold
the ratio OF 'rcrhols equal the West should con-
tain about 40 900 instead of s5.es7-to that the slave
hofing community is gamer upon the existing popula-
lion East and West nearly 1000 freeholds This fact
smpor'ant to test what will be tina probable future
ep"ranon OF the rule TO re-aproron representation.
How stands the fact IL the rule applied ut this
time to all the freeholiers OF the Commonwe nth? In
House OF Delegates TO consist of I27 MEMBERS the
West would be- entitled to 40 la members and the
East TO n l-2 members.
IL may be asked. what would be the probable result
II be rule was applied s the particular class of foe
holders contemplated to he embraced by iR A caicu-
|
data upon which il made. A few land list, of
counties East and West were indifsrsnty taken and
carefully examned-upon that examination II appear
ed that there were more small freeods uner the
OF S25 TO the Wes than in the East So that upon any
scheme applied to House OF I27 the We
won' get 4s an'i the Ea" 70. leaving majority of 81
members 10 the E'stand by the plan Of the gentle
man ifom Aibemare, thee is majority of 81 Only
fAvoraoi" AZ my plan seems to the East il would BE-
snl more so, il al accurate census taken of the
6on0 fde resident rreholders whose freehold. are ri
4 pptt ha ..n.,t
that there are many more Don-resdents of the West
entitled 20 land there than there uon-resii.p OF
the East owning land in the East.
II may not he amis 10 state that The operation of the
statute OF de'cents will have the inevitable tendency
to augment the number of FIRE holds in ratio
in that portion Of the State where the population Is
greatest
In arporonng representation upon bona file land
holders the rdy yeomanry Of the country the abso-
lutte owners OF the soil, the ruls ons cover the la.
bouriug classes of the West and of tho East: and This
consideration surely, Is we'll worthy the reflection OF
tn Eastern deeg ition.
1t has been said, Mr. PRECEDENT that the Increase Of
WINE population is such TO the West, lhain the course
OF zone 20 or 80 years, will exceed that Of the East
Let uS examine whether this cos lecture ba founded
| on facts.
From 1900 10 1900. West of the Blue Ridge the ave-
rage Increase was 81 liz from 1900 10 1910
Tho average increase was II is per reut from 1910 TO
1870, the average increase was 10 l.2 per cent-we
have no census 'nce 1920 But let US pursue hi. de-
cfeasnG increase cf population from the facts p,e.en,
ed att! will premise that 10 The West AZ IT, everv
other country, the increase population will gradualy
essen az the country fills up But suppose the in.
crease loo the last years TO he 10 per centby the
same average OF decreasing increase ten wears from
This period will mike IL per cent and 10 wears more
VIII reduce The increase Of the West al il now is
in The Est. aud probably ess-for such /. the nature
OF the soil aud lis surface, that much denser popuIa
non may n'Iabit the Eastern region than in that OF the
West La Ibis view Of the subject, the white popula.
ton OF i''e West ever in the gro,s (and never when
counted ~ rrch"'der) will hardly ever exceed that
OF the East Then. NJ. President, why should ,bs
East object TO this rule for eapportionnen,,-We
should refuse 10 adop rule, and thereby Law the fon
daiion oil The call Of aoother Convention I hone we
shall not, sr For il the ameaied Constitution bs a
good one. let W unite 10 render as perpetual as hui
man wisdom devise.
But. Mr. President, suppose in the LAPSE of some
80 or 100 years. The political power in the House Fl
DIiegntes @ouH, unon my rule. pass to the Westl-
We shaI have no caus: 10 compain-fJr, with the in
crease OF The number OF hrir fsrhods and population
mere VIII DO sroOdent increa's Of the amount
OF t"Vet pad by thsm and ia the mean time the ien
Gus and censorlous passions OF the whole
will b. hu'hed into harmony and Ga,,rn,l "a,
De true mat ms state OF political quistude and bapp
hes' snail endure m longer than some so or 100 wear.
| % come, lie, ~ be sas6ed:-for, unhappiy for man
kn lew governments Of The world have had the good
fortune to endure for a term Of years 80 long.
MIR. President. il has beem further ohisrteJ IN MI,
plan that frauds will be practised in the Wsst IL, I
rTe2ton OF The hceholds, owing TO the great ouan,tv
/ ot waste lands IN that re gion. I d, not feel he
weight OF Ibis objection. The freehold il TO b.. owned
10y resident freehold voter and lie value is TO he moi
less than $50 The legislators il 10 provide bv I,y
for asceftainng the number Of such fresLoIe-, rJ
will surely guard against fraudulent practices 7 can
moro easily imagine that In the annual general elcc.
Hons That much excitement in favor oi particular nm
dIdates, might and has produced attempts TO create
votes Tor The particular occasion This rule Of re-appor-