Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-01-27

u
the House, that protraced conflict with view To
guard against the possibility Of future danger has ten
dency TO realize the apprehension and hasten the rea
ty and that IS better 10 yield with good grace ard
cheerful acquesccnce, IN matter involving degra-
dation, to the force OF circumstances with determine
ton to resist oppression should it hereafter come in
stead of opposing now what is rightfu in ITSELF be-
cause il may, within the limits of conjecture be wrong
/ fully directed
Finally, your committee cannot but deprecate the
evils which must flow from long continued controver
sy this subject, which there too much reason TO
believe may ultimately ntermngle not only in the
binary legislation Of the country, but encourage spirit
Fl Of innovation, rendering the fundamental law itself pre-
carious and even eopardng the integrity of the good
old Commonwealth.
y With most sincere desire to contribute by their
humble efforts TO avertng all such evils your commit
tee respectfully submit result of their debera-
lions, the following resolution:
Resoired Tie opinion IF this committee, That the
Legislature ought 10 provide b. law for 4 rcapportion-
ment Of representation, both branches according
to the numbers of qualified voters the several constr
tuent b9dics to be- ascertaned BY lust ratio in refer
, ence 10 white population.
u REPORT
Of The minority Of the Seiect Committee TO ,choe cas
referred certain memorials praying for Re apportion.
7nent Of Representation in boh branches ofe Legisa
i ture
/ The undersigned, members of the Select Committee
to whom was referred the memorial Of certain citizens
of Kanawia county, and the resolutions adopted by 4
meeting of the citizens Of Greenbrer county, praying for
i Reapporonment Of representation in both branches
Of the Legislature dissenting from The report and esolu
ton of the majority of the Committee have deemed the
subject of sufficient importance Justify them in ex-
planning the of their dissent. Proceeding upon
that provision Of the Constitution which au thorlzes the
Legislature, after the year 1871, 10 reappoon Repre-
scntuon throughout the Commonw wealth, the majority
recommend "a Reapportionment of Representation
both branches Of the Legislature based the number
oiquaiied voters in the several constituent bodies,
be ascertaned by just atIo in reference TO white po-
pulatlon' AT present the legislative power is disri-
bued give the 20 lying West of the
| Allegheny mountains 81 Delegates; 10 the IA counties
| lying between the Allegheny and the Blue Ridge OF
mountains - Delegates; to the - counties lying East
of the Blue Ridge Of mountains and above tide water
~ Delegates; and the counties. cities, towns, and boz
roughs lying upon tide water 10 Delegates The for
nation Of the Senate gives l members to the Western
division Of the State aud 10 members to the Eastern
According to the plan proposed the 70 counties lying
West Of the Allegheny will receive IL Delegates; the
| II counties lying between the Allegheny and Blue
Ridge will receive - Delegates: the - conncs lying
East Of the Blue Ridge and above tide water will
ceve 81 Delegates and the countless cities, towns. and
boroughs lying upon tide water will receive 81 Dele
gates; whilst the Western division Of the State will
ceive 10 members of the Senate and the Eastern div
sion 10 members.
II this plan obtain, it is obvious that the present sys
TEN will be wholly discarded, and the preponderance
Of power held by that portion Of the State lying
the portion which lies West thereof
a proposition which conemplates such violent in
novaion upon established order, which involves, direct
w. the voluntary surrender and transfer by communl
" Of so large OF political power, to gain acqul-
essence, must be supported by the most convincing
proofs of justice. Especially must it be thus sup
ported when urged by those who do not participate
equally the great stake which is the subject Of that
power; but little extent, possess diversity Of
interests from those by whom the surrender is TO be
made
IT, however, the advocates Of The plan can support lis
pretensions by proofs Justice il does
not become us to turn deaf TO their voice. In
spirit therefore, of fair enquiry, with disposition 10 DO
Just the undersigned will proceed to examination Of
the facts and arguments on which the majority found
their resolution
The question TO be considered is, in what proportions
the legislative power OF the Commonwealth shall be
distributed 10 different masses of those on whom the
Constitution coniers the right OF suffrage? Abandon
ing the exploded notion that there in the law of
ture an original principle which gives majority
gh, to control minority, the report claims for all
qualified voters right to equal participation, in the
rcise of the legislative power from their equal parti-
cipation, respect of qualification IN the elective fran
chse and il declares ''that good be sewn
upon the principles of popular government why
the vote of qualified citizen should have
less weight in the conduct of public affairs than the
vote of his neighbor, more distant ellowcitizen;
whether separated by coterminous boundaries, by
mountain, valley, waste or stream
If the right of suffrage regulated in subordina.
ton 10 both personal and proprietary rights that
say the number Of qualified the different
members Of the community made 10 bear relative
proportion TO the aggregate interests Of the whole, tho
proposition of the majority might be- allowed Persons
and property alike the elements OF society and the
subjects Of legislation, and entitled alike 10 protection,
and in such regulation of the right Of suffrage upon
the plan of the majority, both would elements
into the basis Of representation, and protection would
be thereby afforded to property, which cannot be any
thing short of direct influence in the government
Or It might be allowed if there existed throughout
the body polite equatty identity Of interests
But il obvious that the would be true Of the
basis Of ta1aton alone. because II the number Of
qualified voters furnished the measure of wealth,
It would be Indifferent whether the or the other
adopted; whether representation was apportion-
cd according 10 the number OF qualified voters,
or to taxation, a combination Of both; and II
in such condition Of things, the number Of quail
fled voters bore 4 fixed proportion 10 population,
st would be equally Indifferent if representation was ap.
portoned according to population alone. Upon either
ratio each portion member OF the community would
enjoy its just participation the legislative power, each
of the great interests out Of which the compos-
ed would be that protection essential to each
and which it is the duty of government to afford. But
the right Of suffrage not regulated, and being esah.
lished by the fundamental law, not within the pow
er Of the General Assembly to modify it. Whilst how
ever, it is admitted the number OF qualified voters IN
each member Of the community is not fair exponent OF
the wealth of each member nevertheless, supposed
10 bear some even pTopoto 10 the nuiuel ol WINE III
habiians of each and accordingly it is by reference
the of population that the reapportionment ~
proposed 10 be made II will thus be that the ques
ton is brought directly before u.s. whether representa-
ton shall be based on white population exclusively
The investigation which this question received At the
hands Of the able statesmen who composed our late
Convention is familiar to all, and in the opinion Of the
undersigned, renders unnecessary any argument on
their part TO shew that in community like ours,
where the different members separated by natural
and almost impossible BARRIERS possessing interests dl
and antagonist to each other, where important
rights of a peculiar character predominant in one,
whilst they Of secondary consequence in another
where the ratio of contribution by each to the
fund bears proportion TO their population, no basis
Of representation be just, equal, and SAFE which
does not recognize in some form, taxation as one of
it's elements This principle, which the majority deem
anomalous in the Constitution of popular Govern
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