Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-10

Gu perceive no sufficient cause for dsturbinU
the existing rate Of apportionment. There is
no inequality to remove, no injustice to remedy,
but as nearas may be, each division now exer-
cises ttat influence over public affairs to which
Its interest III the common stake entities it.
Inc proposition that representation should
be .apportloned according to the number of
qualihed voters SO that an equal number of
voters should be entitled to equal representa-
ton, without regard to the disparity of their
aggregate fortunes, is more specious than
sound. 1t only true where the Interests of
the several parts are equal and indentical; in
such case 1t would be admitted, and which is
the same thing, representation might safely be
based on white population exclusively. But
government IS intended for the protection OF
persons and .property,and its form must be
moulded as interest and necessity require, so
as to consultall the circumstances which at
tend our actual condition !; and as our inter
ests are different, and the difference arises from
the unequal distribution of property mainly,
property ought to be considered i'm fixing the
basis oil representation. If from this it results
that a. given number of voters on this side of
the mountains are counted against larger
number on the other side, it ought not to ex-
cite odium. We do not mean to claim INV
Cal or moral, but simply to maintain that as
we have equal rights of persons, and greater
rights of property, and some of those rights i'm
measure peculiar to our society, we have a
greater interest in the common stake and
ought to possess an authority in proportion to
that interest, and adequate to its protection.
1t is not intended to affirm that the RIGHT of
suffrage in the individual ought TO be in pro-
tn Int. ~, Il Al
are different and distinct interests exist
ing in masses sufficiently large TO form inpor
tant objects of Government, the rule applies.
In respect TO talation, in the year 1880 the
81 delegates of the Western district represent
ed $33,770 IA; the 25 delegates of the VAL
ley S56,962 O6; the 40 delegates of the Pied
mont district S l50,26 Is; and TIE So dele
gates of the Tide water S144,432 "A. In
1911 the first mentioned delegates represented
S9l,97S 81, the second sos, Ia 81, the third
S2l9,T49 %, and the fourth sb206,S05 43.
ms comparison shews that during the pre-
cedmg ten years, the two western divisions
nave experienced a large increase over the cas-
tern divisions, in both of the great interests
which enter rs elements into the basis of repre-
sehiatIon; and Judging of the future by the past,
the time cannot be far distant when we NAV
eNPectto see the power of the government up
on ialr principles OF representation adjust it
sell more evenly between the great divisions,
or even SHIFT sides entirely. When that time
shall arrive, the east having sufficient guar
anty in the condition of the west that the
power will not be abused to their injury, will
resign without murmur or distrust TO their
more prosperous and powerful neighbor, that
control over the public affairs which thew
now exert But at the present time each of
the four great divisions of the State, according
to the census of 1910, for each of its white in
habltants, pays the following amount of faxes,
viz: