Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1841-11-22

The constitution itself points out one mode in which
this evil may be rectfcd but there very ltte reason
to suppose that it be reached in that moderc
nirng as it does, a voluntary accomplishment of the
power ofthe State, by those who hold it, into the hands
Of those who claim the right to WELD it. The c1nsu-
tonal provision is, that 1.-The General Assembly, after
1.-The year 1910, and at intervals thereafter of not less
ethan years shall have authority. tlroirS Of ear
Blouse coacrria@ to make reapportionments of Dele
'eates and Senators throughout the Commonwealth so
"that the number Of Delegates shall at no time exceed
$50 ncr Of Senators S6'-and upon the execution Of
this provision ly the LEGISLATURE in spirit of equal jus
tee the kanlWha McnorialisS seem to rely for a re
dress of the grievances Of whchthcy complain. But we
in opinion with James NJ. Stephenson, ESD late
the delegate from Tyler county, and jealous AMI able
champion of Western rghtsand interests that this will he
fund 10 be Il most fra reliance In letter TO the cd-
tor ofthc Wheeling Times. that gentleman SAYS II am
well convinced that the constitutional majority can never
tie obtained for any ether rule of apportonmen than the
one now fixed by the constitution 1t has been said that
the participants power rarely if ever, voluntarily sur
render it. To expect, therefore, that the people of Eas
tern Virginia will surrender the control of the Iepsla
te OF the State, which they have so long cnjoyed is
hope at war with the past history Of the State and equal
ly at war with the motives which govern the action of
all political bodies" Besides Mr. Tyler says, there are
other features the Constitution nearly as obnoxious as
that fixing the basis and making the apportonmen, of rep
resentaton and which mperatvey require correction for
Instance, the restrictions imposed upon the right of su
.a5e, themode of elecng the Governor Sc" Buthc is
~ang first to make effort to equal apporon
ment of representation, that if that object be
accomplished, Convention may then at any time be
called, to recy other abuses and to introduce other
have no doubt with him, that they will he says, ''we
Will be better able to determine what ultimate measure
must be resored to, to command our Just share in the
councils of the Commonwealth"
Those who rccolect the agatinr scenes of $500 may
remember that then united with the Western ncone
in reference to the proper basis of rcprascntaonand
on this District composed Of the counties Of BucLnoham
Campbell and Bedford three of the four candidates on
the white basis ticket were elected by overwhelming
maorites, and only the opposing tickct-a oen
tleman now no more, whose brilliant talents and over
whelmng personal popularity of the counties out
weighed whmany OF those who voted him. his opinions
IN this question. But not now prepared 10 sav
That the call of another Convention is necessary or that
II would be eNpedient, Ifcaled, we should have the
same exciting contest 10 pass through and probably with
The same result Fit be called at all for example. if
"''iN ~ INT Legislature. ana Gl course IL must
De organized upon principles prescribed BIZ that body
ana as IN 1879, we should again see body convened
'Se constituted just as inequality in reference to the
S'et SUBJECT OF representation, the Legislature itself
W whose requirement it VIII be assembed-and conse-
ueh'y the result Gifts deliberations would leave us lust
where 1t finds In the Convention of 1890 for in
''dnce brought together by Legislative cdict, there
~oe W member members east, and only Sc Of the
"'ue hidge-thc former representing average white
reputation OF 6,266, and the latter OF 1872 The same
inequality will exist in any Convention which may now
W called; and what is practically Of even npor-
"'ce'we have no doubt the Western people would from
very obvious causes growing out of recent Gnti.siarcy
movements IN other States. find fewer friends and less
%,eh sympathy, among the Eastern people. than they
Nu IN 1879, when this slave question could he more dis
Ssonatey considered, temporarily discussed, and just
ueclded, than it can be this time-and when. with
'u reference to the spirit of anaticsm which abroad
anu against the effects of which the first law Of nature
''nFes VA to guard, could look at the abstract and
"'Aeo question Of political equality and personal right, at
State
W. mean 10 peak plainly On TIL. qries.isn, IN ordCr