Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-09-30
For Tie Enquire
CONVENTION-No. 4.

In my las, communication, pointed out the
gross and unjust inequalities sanctioned by our
existing Constitution, in The representation OF the
people in both Houses Of the General Assembly,
whether viewed in reference 10 The TWO grand di-
visions of lie Stale, East and West or in reie-
renee 10 The counties and Senatorial Districts in
those divisions respectively compared with each
other Now, propose, very briefly, 10 group 10
pe,her other objections 10 the Constitution, SO as
10 conclude my labors in single communication,
inasmuch as the new theatre 10 which (siDce my
former Nos. were hastily wr;ten) | have been
transferred, renders it extremely inconvenien,
for me to command the leisure and retirement
necessary for such an undertaking. The Con-
s,llutional provision regulating the right OF SUI
fagc, has no prototype IN am other institution OF
civil government that the world ever saw. IL
wonl seem 10 be the first and highes. duty OF
statesmen assembled 10 devise The trane-worH OF a
Government intended 10 endure through future
ages, and 10 DC animated nv the popular Will as
It's vital principle 10 prescribe this great preroga-
tive Of the people in terms 50 clear and precise,
that The humblest man in the community, TO
whom il appcrtains as one OF The great munmenis
Ul pTOectlOn ana llItINl, uHuCiSdHo ~
and exercise it al the polls wilhou, doubt or dis.
puta,ion. And vet the trainers OF our Constu-
lion have thought proper 10 involve in ,echni-
cal labyrinth, SO subtle, so complicated, and SO
difficult to comprehend that none brt those who
have encountered the "Tisinti ann0rum fuenCra-
TONES" in porting over the distressing pages OF
such learned authors as Fearne on Contingent
Remainders and Executory Devises, can By pos
sibil;ly, understand The poor, common lawyers
of The country cannot understand il-candida. IS
cannot understand it-voters cannot understand
it-nav. the Legislature itself, composed, as il
should be, II the wises and most sagaciuus lu-
minaries OF The Stale have piled their varying
inconsistent and conflicting interpretations ofths
provision, like Pelon upon Ossa, and Ossaup n
Pelion, until their decisions have long since
ceased 10 be respected by the commissioners OF
elections, or even BY the nselves. Every success
sive House of Delegates has 10 occupy large
portion Of lis session, and with great expense 70
The people, in considering and deciding these an
nual contests among lis members Tor seal in the
body-ani such have been the labor and difficult
ties attending them, that, in the famous Abe
marie case in 1885, and. perhaps, others, The
contestants have abandoned their claims in de-
spair. not of success, but OF getting decision al
all, during the session Is il right, that the very
fountain Of liberty should be thus obstructed and
COMPOUNDED? Is il right, that Tie people should
have constitution of Government, which, in so
important matter as that Of exercising their So
vereisn will in selecting their law makers, can
neither be understood By themselves or their re-
presen,a,ives7 Certainly not Blu, the uninlei-
gibiiy Of this provision is mol even 50 objection