Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-13
VIRGINIA INVENTION.

lature To apportion in the year 1911, and overy
ten years thereaiter-the number of Delegates not to
exceed $50, nor OF Senators So.
The question being upon inserting this proposition
oil Mr. Madison as new article of the Constitution
Mr.. Chapman moved to strike out too thirds, and
leave IN the power of majority to -apportion
MIR Chapman thought that maj ority ought to rule
in Republican Country and that the provision as it
stood was nugatory, as two thirds could be
obtained-thcre being enough interested to keep
power in ats present hands 10 prevent il.
Mr. Madison said few words against, and Mr..
Scott, few words in favor of the amendment which
was negoved BY the following vote:
AYEs--Alessrs. Anderson, Coffnan. IIarrison,
Williamson, M'Coy, Moore, B,irne, Smith, Mil
Ter, Baxter. Mercer, Ftzhugh. Osborne, Powell, J..
NJ. Mason, Naylor, Donaldson, Boyd, Pcndlcton,
George Mcmillan, Edward Campbell, Byars.
Cioyd, Chapman Mathews Oglcsby, Duncan, Laid
ley, Summers. See, Morgan, A. Campbell, Wilson,
Scott w. Campbell, Clayton, Saunders. Cabcll,
Stuart, Massic--4o
NoEs-Messrs. p. p. Barbour Jones, B. w. Leigh.
S. Taylor, Brodnax, Dromgoole, Alexander Goode J..
Marshall Tyler, Nicholas Cop,on Baldwin, Johnson,
]. Y Mason, Trezvant, Claiborn, Urquhari, Randolph
w Leigh, Logan, Venuble, Madison 81 anard, lola
day, Henderson, Cooke Griggs, Pendeton, Roane,
II. Marshall, Tazewcll, Loyal, Prentis. Grigsby,
Branch, Towncs Martin. Plessunts, Gordon, 1tSmP-
san, Bates, Nssf Fe- sGSssssr J0ynss Rssy, Lp
STb se nmas,ioa -oou,r:.n Sn.t -" ~
mcnt of Mr.. Madison.
MIR. Clopton moved tn amend the amendment by
requiring the Legislature make re assessment of
ilnds when they make re-apportionment of re-
presentation.
Mr. Mercer afraid that the effect of the a.
mendment would be, that there would be no re as
sessment of lands, unless there re Apo rtion-
men, Of representation. Another difficulty was tina,
the re apportionment required TO be made by two
thrds-which might never be obtained.
Mr.. Clopton's object was to provide for q re-as-
sessnent of lands, which at present unjust in
regard to his part of the State. Ifthis was
his purpose was answered.
Mr. Stanard thought the provision superfuous-
as 1t justice required re assessment, 1t would be
made condition of the re-apportionmcnt. The a.
mendmcnt rejected.
The question recurring on Mr. .lIadison's amend
ment.
Mr. Campbell Of Brooke agreed with the venera
bic gentleman, that no Constitution could be adopted
here which would be acceptable permanent with.
out rule of future apportionment; but lie did not
think that the rule offered afo rdcd all alienation Of
the evil Mr.. e. argued to shew, that the reouisl-
ton OF two thirds, rendered it impossible that the
rue should be available In this belief .ur. c. moved
10 amen. follows:
The General Assembly shall have power in the year
lI4f, and every years thereafter, to apportion
the representation in both Houses so that The num-
beers of Delegates pn each of the four grand dis
trics shall learn the same proportion to the whole
white population of each district, which the present
aPportonment establishes such district; the ratio
OF present appnrtionmenr TO be ascertaned by the
next census-Provided that the House of Delepates
shall never exceed $50, the Senate SO.
This amendment Mr.. G. said, had all to recon-
mend it, that the principle IF the gentlemen from AL
bemare had-lt perpetuated that principle He
owned 1t was unequal TO the West-they lost the
benefit of ten years increase fpopulation-for with
out protesting to understand fully the basis of the
gentleman from Albemare, (.ur Gordonl he believed
1t was that of the white population of 1920
Mr. Mercer said the object of the gentleman from
Brooke was already provided for, BY the fifth article
adopted at the suggestion of the gentleman from
Frederick (mr. Cooke) Mr. NJ. commented on the
proposition offered by mr.. Madison, which he said
provided no rule or basis by which future appertion
Inents should be made. The effect would be- if Mr.
Campoells amendment was adopted that majority
might unite TO fix the federal basis or any other ba
sis on The state, and mould the Constitution as thew
pleased.
Mr. Fitzhugh said either his colleague MIR Mer-
cer) or himself misunderstood the amendment of the
gentleman from Brooke. He understood that amend
ment to give the power TO the General Assembly
among the grand divisions, to apportion representa-
ton IN proportion TO the population Of the whole
state This certainly gave the power of transfer.
ring the excess from great district to another.
not having enough. His objection to the 5th srfi
Gle had been that it pcrpetuated tho present proper
tons; or at least that It afforded no rule ofcscapnr
from them when they became UNEQUAL
Mr.. Mercer read and common cd critically, on Mr.
Camp6elrs amendment, to show that his cons, rue
ton OF It was right-or If not so, that It's terms
were ambiguous.
Mr.. Campbell Of ID. said that the gentleman fo,,
Loudoun (mr. Mercer was wrong, and tho gentle
man nom Fairfax (mr FItzhugh) right in his con.
structon Of his amendment.
Mr.. Mercer said he concurrod in the end aimed n,
he was only afraid that the lanrunpe of tho
amendment led TO results not intended
Mr.. Campbell appealed ~ tile patriotism of tho
House to pay arnti ~ To the merits Of propositions
conscious ~ they must be- that no Constitu,ior
could be permanent, even if il should be accented
without rule OF apporonmcnt. Could the Con
shtuton 81 the u 81 he asked, have existed wit tout
S S rue ana was not population in Virginia
auotuang. as well us the population of the United
Stotal
Mr.. J5ynes analized the provisions of the amend
Campbell) 10 show that 1t operated most nnooSii
on Eastern Virginia, and pronounced it the I,or:t
rule Of apportionment yet.
Mr. Marshall said there was certainly ono ob,cc
ton TO the amendmcnt--which was, that il would
enlarge the House Of Delegates indefinitely Ano
tber objection that if there was reduction Of
slave population in the and increase Of white
population To- The same extent the representation of
the east would Iot incrense with The change in tic
character Of the population Nothing Mr. NJ