Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-08-08

cd, upon that principlplc, Western Virginia is
wrongcd now. Either upon the population, |
slavery or taxable property we see the ratio OF
representation operates unequally and oppres- |
sively upon Western Virginia.
Although we should feel it our duty as free
men To resist such oppression were there moth.
ing dependant upon the Legislature but the
mere Tact oi representation, II would b. more
endurablc than when we reflect that in all the
vital pnnciplesoi government we are opposed
and defeated by a privileged minority.
We will proceed To enumerate SOME of the
evils entailed upon us by these republicans,
together with their effects. ASsimuating i'm
character motc nearly to the republicans OF the
western states, the people of Western Virgin
IA desire the adjustment of the property quail
~liication Tor suffrage. From It's existence a
great majority OF cInigrants from the free states
are driven from this portion of Virginia into
those states where thCu are allowed TO vote. not
their horses, leases and deeds. We hazard moth
illg III saying that, many of the most enterpri-
IhS anu best citizens are thus driven from u
monSst us, not because they could no, obtain a
vote, but because, to them the peculiar rature
OF the restriction was in itself a burlesque upon
the holy and important right of suffrage. We
Know that our citizens generally, IL not uni
Nersaliy, desire the extension of the right of
suffrage, or the total abolition of the property
qualification. With our political friends, al
least, there Is no division-thcy arlently desire
tins extension, and will exert themselves "a
The utmost at the proper time To obtain it,
ms Is "a western measurc-one that has ever
been cherished, both before and since the con
%rention. by the whole western division of the
state. The reason for this is not to b. found
IN the superstition that they would by so do
iig, OBTAIN political power. for il is easy In
perceive that as the value of land is less. s,f-
nay uIiuer the restrlctlon becomes more gen
eral. The land in the Tide Water district has
am average valuation under the last assessment
OF So,139 per acre, while that in the Western
District Is valueda at 81 40, making a difference
oil about four fiiths. The probabilities are there
lore strong that suffrage under the restriction
Will be more general in the west than the east.
Inc ELECT OF the restriction upon the right
oil suffrage Is felt to be particularly oppressive
upon large towns and cities as NAV be seen
rom "a comparison of Ohio county with the
west oil Virginia generally, or in truth. eithe,
portion of 1T. The last census shows i'm Ohio
Countya population of 1881 and the utmos,
vote that county can poll is 1853. In West.
erh Virginia the population is only 81, 7lj
and yet II polls 42, 700 votes and can poll over
4o,oOo-Ohi county polls one vote for every
IL white citizens. The balance of Western
Virginia can poll one vote for every s. Every
one Will see that this operates to the prejudice
of the city for the advantage of the conmtrv
because most men in the country are land hold.
ers; yet the city pays as much tax as the conn.
Try and contains as much intelligence at least.
furthermore, the proportion of white male DO
puiaton IN Ohio county over the age of II
years Is one seventh and a fraction greater han
that OF the western district.
(IO bs eORtiHued.)