Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-03-25
Mr.. DODDRLDGEs LETTER.
WASHINGTON, LIST March. 1870

Dear Sir-Wiien lett Richmond, deter
mined to avail myself OF the opportunities af
iorded by a residence here, to observe In.
course of public opinion in Eastern and Mid
die Virginia respecting the new Constitution.
and TO address my constituents and friends
on this subject before the approaching cleo
tons, at Which the fate of that Constitution
is to be decided. In doing this, il is my pur-
pose, very briefly, TO review the proceedings
IN the late Convention, SO far as to notice the
difficulties that lay in our way, resulting from
the 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, lie halted for season with his ar
my at Bayonnc, where he invited the S;pan
isil Monarch to visit him as friend, to consult
on measures for their esutaal safety The
King of SPAN was induced TO accept this
friendly invitation. He visited Napoleon who
immediately seized him, compelled him to
reRounce has right to the crown of Spain, shut
him up in prison, and marched his army across
the Pyrenpees for the conquest of his deluded
prisoners dominions. Throughout Christen
Gona, this conduct was called treacherF.
II is well known to you that before the late
Convention, the people West ofthe AlIegha-
ny had their full share of representation in
the House Of Delegates, hut this awaited them
nothing while their friends of the Valley. and
in the large counties below and near the
Blue Ridge, had SO much less weight 10 that
House than they were entitled TO. The tide
water country governed the State, and we all
suffered the destroying effects of tide-water
misruie. In 1875, our friends in Loadoun
proposed meeting at Stanton, which took
place. At this meeting our friends below the
Ridge, and in the Valley, were represented
together with the extreme West. Certain
resolutions were adoI ted, expressive of the
sense OF that meeting, ard published to the
world. The leading defects in the existing
Constitution were pointed out. These were
mainly the responsibility oithe Executive
the unequal apportlonment of representation;
the restriction on the right Of suffrage. and
the want of provision Coz future amendment
These defects were proposed to be remedied
by abolishing the Executive Council nv an
portoning representation in both branches Of
the General Assembly among the white pop
ulation equally, and br extending the right
of suffrage TO ALL whether freehoiders or not,
who shave evidence of permanent common
interest with, and attachment to, the coInrnu
nifty" The means ofredress proposed was u
petition to the Assembly 10 pass a law for ia
king the sense OF the people on calling a
the Staanton meeting who would have pre-
lerred acting at once, on Society, to an APP
peal to the General Assembly, constituted as
it was, and it isto be regretted that that course
was not taken then or afterwards. The petit
ton Of the Staunton meeting was rejected by
the Assembly IN the Sessions of 1926 and
1896. Ii was agreed to in 1927. The law,
however, only authorised freeholders to vote
on that question. This vote was taken at the
Spring elections Of 1898, when II 1873 FREQ
holders voted for, and 1851 against Con-
vention: thus giving a majority of.ffeehotders
offs oil in favor OF Convention, and of di-
yiding their power with their non freehold
ing brethren. With such majority oil free
holders eoncurring with the views and indi-
vidusl wishes of the -freeholders, class
nearly as numerous as themselves, a serious
opposition TO the cail Of Convention on such
principles as to give fair expression oftho
popular viii was not expected. Yet that OPP
position was made and sustained by the
] whole force of the East in the Session Of SIS.
The struggle, at that time, resulted in the
passage OF law organizing Convention OF
9e members, four Of whom were tobe chosen
by each Senatorial district. This law was
forced on us by the East, al the Hest rotuls
against Il. Thus the Convention itself was
organized not by those who sought, but b.,
those who opposed it not By the friends, but
bv t,le enemies of reform.
The extent Of the injury done the West
win appear from the following facts
The Senatorial districts had been formed
in February, 1917, with View to an equa
representation Of white population; but. AT thai
time. we had no tables OF population latel
than those furnished by the Census Of 1910 -
In 1910. the white population East OF sSs Bloc
Ridge was S38. sal and West oil thai ASc.n