Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-11-16
RICH MON d:
TUESDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER o..

RICH Nj ON ID:
TUESDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 10.
.fuendnsn' Of the State cOnsfitstion.
| The people Of the western portion Of tho State,
are taking steps with view to procure an al,sra.
ton in the existing Consiitution-so to spporton
representation on the basis of white population.
Several public meetings have been held on the sub
Jee and the public papers discussing the ques-
ton with great catnestness.
| This revNes the Old much vexed, and agi,ating
question, which convulsed the Commonwealth some
ten years ago. IL then settled by the adoption
Of the present Constitution. The late census, which
shows majority of the white population ives, of
the Blue Ridge, has az ain made western friend,
dissatisfied with their condition, and they say thew
suffer great injustice in not having controlling
voice in the councils Of the State. In their con-
plants, they take notice whatever OF tho black
population in the east These, they deny all re-
I presentation. Do they no; propose to perpe,ra,e
the very wrong OF which they complain, when they
seek the power 10 tax this population from which
they withhold voicel We merely ask for infor-
nation. For our parts, we perfectly willing to
give them the ascendaney they ask, il they will
stipuate to relieve US from taxation. They ar.
welcome to al the honor and glory of ru,irc If they
will bind themselves to keep ther hands out OF
our pockets But this is an indispensable condi
ton.
There appears to be some discrepancy among
the friends Of the proposed amendment as to the
best mode Of proceeding. The existing Constitu-
tion provides for a re-apportonment with the con-
sent OF iwo.tards Of each House Of the General
! Assembly. Some despair OF procuring this maio-
rlIy, and therefore propose a Convention: others
are disposed TO make trial first under this provision
and then, having tie majority, they can effect any
other changes desired. This is the view of Mr.
Stephenson Of Tyler-whose letter We copy TO nut
the reader IN possession Of the progress and temper
OF the discussion.
From the Wheeling Times
To J.rEs E. WHARTON, ESQ:
SIR-As the conductor OF public journal devo-
ted 10 the rights and interests vi the people of wes
tern Virginia, take the liberty OF calling your al
tenton TO subject OF the FIRST importance to the
whole State, winch the Constitution deyolyes unon
the Legislature at its next session.
BY the ih section, OF the 81 article of the Amer-
can Constitution, 1t Is made the duty OF the Iey,,
Iature IN the year ISL, TO Te.aNporuIon the repre-
sentauon IN both Of the legislative bodies, with a
provIsIo that there shall be no increase or dminu-
ton, OF Senator'S or delegates from the four great
divisions OF the State.
The 9Th section, OF the same article, gives tn the
Legislature after the year Is4 and at intervals of
zen years thereafter, the authority (two-thfds of
each house consenuns) TO make re apportonment
OF Senators and Delegates, throughout the com.
monwralIh.
You will remember, that towards the close of the
last session OF the legislature resolution was in
IOduced IN relation 10 the call of a convention to
amend our Constitution; but that want OF time and
other reasons induced the friends of the measure TO
IL 81. =,
session.
10 an individual familiar with the genius of our
republican form OF government, the amended con.
suiutOn OF Virginia. must appear an anomaly not
les than the occasional departure from the Jaws OF
nature, which at times excite the wonder Of the
world, and put at fault all the theories OF the learn
ed.-One great object had IN view by the call of
the convention OF 1899, was the formation of an or
game law, Tor The government Of people Of equal,
natural, and political rights yet the product was
form OF government IN all It's essential chaTactert!cs
erected upon the assumptions, that men or nations
were not created equal" and, That all men are
not endowed 10y their Creator with certain inherent
ana !naenaOe rightS."-The trainers OF the amcnd-
ed constitution seem 10 have overlooked or forgot
ten the great political axiom, that lies at the ioun-
datIon OF all her government, TO wit that all inst
government derives It's authority from the assent Of
the governed, aud that any system of government
mat mas not such sanction is an usurphton, which It
Is the bounden duty OF The people to "aIer or abol
foundations on such principles, and organizing its
provisions IN such form as to them shall seem most
likely To effect their safety and happiness"
The appouionment provided ior 10 the 4.h sec
ton OF the Sd article Is OF no importance 10 Wes-
tern Virginia at the present time, us no change
could or would be made IN the representation from
either the Senatorial district, counties entitled to
Delesates.-But Western Va. is deeply Interested
IN the re-apportlonment OF the representative pow
er as provided for IN The 9Th section Of the 81 ari-
cle Had estcrn Virginia its lust share IN the
legislative power, the policy OF he State upon
several important questions would have been very
different from what It has been, and TO the extent
OF the influence OF the State IN the councils of the
General Governmental policy much more consist.
eht with Western interests would have been as
sumed.
At public meeting recently held in the coun-
~ oil hanawhh, At winch Judge Summers pres ided,
memorial TO the Legislature was adopted, IN
winch variety Of arguments are urged with great
power upon the consideration Of hat BODY IN re-
auon TO the unjust aud unequal representation OF
Western Virginia, IN the Senate and House OF Del
eghtes as liked by the constitution, and praying
that such an adjustment Of the legislative power
may be made as will insure to all portions OF the
State something ike equality of political power.
While ! am willing to admit that the most obiec-
tionabe feature OF the Constitution 10 the UNEQUAL
distribution OF the legislative power among the DIFF
ferent divisions Of Tie State; yet there arc other
features OF that instrument nearly as obnoxious,
and which ImPerauvey require correction: as for
instance the restrictions imposed upon the right of
suffrage, the mode OF electing the Governor &c
&c. 10 regard TO the legislative power Of the Slate
he Legislature will, after lS4l, have the power To
make fair and equal distribution throughout the
Satei but there Is no mode OF correcting any other
Objectionable feature Of the Constitution but through
the medium OF a convention Of the people. I am
moreover willing to admit that the reasoning of the
hanawha memorial ought to have the desired effect
with the Legislature; yet an we'll convinced that
the constitutional majority can never be Obtained
Tor any olher rule Of appOrtIonment than the one
now hxed by the Constitution. IL has been Justly
SAID that the participants Of power, rarely II ever
voluntarily surrender II. To expect, therefore, thai
the people OF Eastern Virginia will surrender the
control Of the Legislature OF the State, which they
have 50 long enjoyed, is hope at war with the p,st
history Of The State, and equally at war with the
motives which govern the actions Of all political
bodies.
There is an hrgumen, however in support Of the
plan proposed by tho knn1wha memorial that is of
some weights II IS this, II the West can obtain re-
presentation IN the Senate and House Of DELEGATES
based upon white population, then the friends ar
reform Will be able 70 call convention at any time
Let rs then hold meetings 10 all the counties
west Of the AIcghany, and adopt memorials and
resolutions expressive Of our views as we'll IN rein.
u1n 10 the form Of our present Constitution rs nlso
IN relation TO the manner IN which that instrument
should he mo dihed, 90 us TO conform more nearly
10 the doctrines Of the founders Of our Tepub c and
70 the advances that have been made IN political
science sihce the era II we shall
tai lps believe VIC willy IN inducing the Icrls,