Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-12
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.
To me General .Assem5,y Of T-rginia.

The hghy important and responsible duty of laying off
the State fifteen Congressional Districts, will devove
upon you during your present and there three
considerations, that be conceded should be
kept in view. ls To apporion the Districts with suchiar
and mpartiay being designed the of 10 VS.
will do equal Justice and give satisfaction To each
the great political parties the State. 2nd To arrange
them compacty the population and coniguiiy of the
counties will allow; and Bird. To approach pos
sble to the ratio of representation which 7O,6SO.
have several arrangements of the Districts one of
which prepared by very active and influential gentle
man, who is believe, citizen of Missouri by which il il
proposed deprive the Wing party of all participation in
the representation in Congress- by unnatural con.
OF sections of country only contiguous but
having little intercourse, and having community of
feeling interest other than that which naturally attaches
citizen of the commonwealth and this gen.
tenan has not hesated crOe that his purpose
arrange them give the entire representation pos
sibe, his party; but may well be asked Will the
the fair, and the rejecting and por.
ton of that party give proposition so unfair
and ungheous Is il right hatt should he sit doing ne
they would he done by Would they be willing to submit
themselves gross awrong Have they not complain.
ed that the thing had been done by Wing party in
Massachusetts, and if true, is it a wel-founded COM
paintl.
But, moreover would it not lead TO a system of legisla
the State the effects OF which would be felt in all
time TO come; would it justify the Wing party at the
session of the Legislature ii they should be in the
majority, in re-oganizng the Districts (Which there is no.
thing forbidO and taking the whole representation 10
themselves; and what aspect would present. VIVA,
spirit woald engenderl Can the dominant party in the
Legislature instgaed by the heated imagnaons of violent
partizans looking only present temporary effects be
prepared the whole Commonwealth in state of f
verish excitement and l-bood2 l. there enough al
ready Of party spirit, and does every good man and
patriot desire that it should rather be moderated than
increased
How much better would be adopt such an arrange
men would give entire satisfaction party and
yet have for muunur of complaint the other
With these views, have much pains and labor ar.
ranged the into Districts, upon principles that can
fail commend Themselves for their justice and Impair
TALLY both parties and the different sections of the
State.
Ii l. believed be impossible (as examination of the
map vii prove) make them compact or group toge
fortunately the different portions Of the State having
the interests them together and having
with each other; and equally impossible approx
nearly the ratio of Representations While the
parties represented nearly posble according
their relative strength, takng the Presidential vote of
1910 the test and If there have been changes since that
PERIOD has been contended and the last spring cleo
ions might to indicate, then, the party whose favor
the changes have taken place. will of get the bene.
fit Of it, in the Districts, and consequently be able ~ elect
more representatives.
The federal population of the State amounts to one mil
lion and rxty thousand two hundred and two-of this
number the western division q mean beyond the Blue
Ridge contains four hundred and eleven thousand three
hundred and sixty, small fraction under ffths of tho
whole, being fy-seven thousand nine hundred and fifty
nine would enitle them five representative,
and twelve thousand hundred and twenty three les
than would cnte them 70 six while the eastern division
hundred and forty eight thousand eight hundred
and fortytwo, small fraction three-hhs. twelve
thousand hundred and twenty than woulc
ontte them nine members. but fty.seyen thOusonc
nine hundred and ty-nine less than would ene them
ten. have therefore, seemed 10 be just, given two
fths Elk representatives, TO the western district, and
hree-fhs nine representatives the eastthe conse-
quence Of which is that the numbers the western side
will fall little short Of he RATIO while those the eastern
eide will generally rather exceed the raos in every in.
stance approaches nearyss could perhaps made
| 10 average, under any circumstances.
In the Presidential election 81 i540 Mr. Van Buren, boa
Cen Harrison by the nominal majority q 1900 votes con
siderably less than one.hnf Of district but having IN,
majority however small II might be, thought II fair The
party supporting him, should have tne odd member
orty Of eight seven and IL little remarkable that
should result, when the arrangement made with
single eye compacnes numbers, &c, without looking
once 10 the political complexion Of single District unit
| after the whole had been arranged.
These views all stike me being roasonble and lust
and therefore submit the plan 10 the consideration
. Of the General Assembly, with desire that il should
be most critically and infinitely examined, GOr think
the closely s scruiinzed, the likely II find
avor and that s errors and defects il any exist should
be pointed and corrected. have altered and twisted
and turned II about until I have made Il perfect
could, # had five years work upon IL and II right
conjecture as 10 the dspcston Of ho Legislature, IA
act with fairness and imparaly this grave question
here think IL scheme that instead q occupying them
four five weeks in exciting and angry debate, may be
ken up and passed into law each member shall
have had an opportunity Of comparing closely with map
| OF the State. JUSTTTIA.
/
'T charge sabunianty dproved by the result n s
tons The Wings succeeded but o. ten Districts
! and have psnraldet In only others