Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-02
U0YTWM NT1PIOYFe
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION

BASIS OF REPRESENTAT
Debate on Mr. Vsnles proposition 10 adopt $25 free
holds as The future Basis-Dec. 2S
Mr.. PKEsrpENr-l NIL thought, that when sub
united the resolutions in your hand that il would he ex-
rected from tn support them by argmNeni; hut air
told tia, owe il to ti body, and told hi, morning that
IL isexprctd from me. Surely, SIR, the proao IL,
are OF character mixed, that discussion is rot no.
<es.ny TO eApain them in this enlightened assem-
bly,
In taking up the subject feel at once the awkward.
ness Of my ,usiion. II advance arguments proving
the scheme will he beneficial TO the east, shall
Jose support in the wrs'-cn the other hand if |
prove that benefits 10 sccrur 10 the wes shall he
abandoned by The east. M sea-'osscd mariner who
attempted 10 pA's strait ike ti1t ot Scylla AID
Charbyds was ever ia greater difficulty So thli
my propositions must either break down among Il,
mountains, NUT link in The Atlantic I'm this VIZ ~
OF the 'uhjeoi. prudence admonishes me to silence
yet ia SAID thai silence will comport with the de
msnds Of parliamentary dccUrum. So the peril must
be encountered.
Mr.. President. am informed, that although my pro-
position has both eastern and western friends yet il
will have TO resist difficulties from the east Then
briefly endesvour TO prove, that the operation o.
she rule Tor reapportinnment OF representation will be
peculiarly beneficial to the east, and fair throughout
the state.
Members Of the east have argued that the righ,
suffrage should attach exclusively the landed quail.
fcation-bis doctrine adhered 10 40 long as ON
adhsenee they hopsd for success Suffrage however
bsgn extended 10 other classes we'll az frgcholders
of the community AMI in these several classes of suf
jraEaDt, IL lodged the political sovereign powcr
OF the equentlV they are TO elect
the members Of the Legislature. The question then
naturally arses, what shall be the future apporton-
Jnent Of representation, and 10 what shall IL apply IL
appears to me that better rule be adopted han
10 measure representation by the whole number Of the
Sesdent freehold voter' whose ireehods shall I've Of
bona tde value In them mainly reside ard abide The
strength, the wealth and the intelligence Of the who'll
community. In looking 10 this subject my mind u,
struck with The ness, the beauty, the symmetry and
the justice OF the rule.
But my sohsme is objected n by some because I
Tfopose 10 havs the Ssns,e permanent body. From
thho OH cton permit ne TO yindcae II, by compare.
son 81 with the plan If the gentleman from Abe.
marie, (M'. Gorlon) His plan proposes TO have both
ihe S"oaIe and the House Of Delegates fixed and per.
Iia emit
Nov, ssl~'s it ran he proved that half IL equal In
whole. nt that ~ exercise Of viejeus nrinciole In
an'h Of the Legislature, 10 equal TO the exerei,e
~ sic Gus principle IN bo'h brsuthss shall n,tte.
ieve N ny scheme Is justly obnoxious To tho obisrt-
ion - long the uan OF the gentleman from hlbe-
m"i shall ps con-id rcd asa happy hit by maioriyt
~ his Conventional leaa the objection should not
me hon.sny Of the supporters Of that PIn.