Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-03-26
COMMUNICATIONS.
TO TIE VOTERS OF AUGUSTA.
ron rms sprcrAroa,

r"o ouy0ot an undressing this c0mmunlca ton
fore them some Of the questions which are now
really al lseue before the people, and to induce
thom to turn their attention to- and investigate
ior themselves the merits of those questions and
tne foundations upon which they rest. II is we'll
Enown mat an angry contest, growing out Of tho
Sonvension question, has arisen between the
nas,ern and the Trans Allegheny districts, upon
tnS oasis OF representation In tho new Constitu-
ton, which it is proposed to establish. The
iosmer, although large portion Of her people
are IN favor of Convention, strenuously insist
ing the retention Of the present basis, and tho
latter equally as strenuous In demanding the ba-
sis Of white population. The question immed-
asely arises, how stands the Valley on this point
II is a question that comes directly home to us,
and upon which we will soon have 10 decide.
When the Convention of 1880 met to draft our
present Constitution, the same difficulty present.
ed itself, and produced long and angry debates
The East were in favor Of adopting the federal
basis, which allowed three.ffths of all the black
population to DO counted in apporiioning the re-
presentation, whilst the West insisted on the
white basis as the only true and just standard Of
representation. Ii was impossible that both par
ties could succeed, and neither was willing 10
yield to the other. Finally, in spirit of COM
promise, which it might be well for politicians
of the present day to study, plan was submit
red by Gen. Gordon of Albemarle, TO which all
parties agreed, and which was adopted by the
people at the polls by majority of more than
10000. The substance Of this plan was as fol-
lows ITO the district lying between the sea-
coast and the head of Underwater, which then
contained a free white population of l67 COL, and
paid tax Of about $500, 0OO thir,y-six delegates
wese allowed. To the district lying between
the head of tide-water and the Blue Ridge, which
then (l630) contained free white population of
2O8, $780, and paid tax OF about $50, 900, forty
two delegates were allowed. To the Valley w.
ing between the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny,
containing at that time a free white population Of
i34,79l, and paying tax Of about $S5, 900,
twenty-five delegates were allowed. And to the
district lying west Of the Allegheny, and con-
tanning at that time free white population Of
lS3,SS4, and paying a tax of about $5S, 900.
thirty zone delegates were allowed. 10 the por-
ton of Virginia lying on the East of the Blue
Ridge, nineteen Senators were allowed, and thir-
teen TO the portion on the West.
Thus was system of representation adopted
by the Convention Of 1880, and ratified by an
overwhelming majority Of the people at the polls,
which adopted neither the white basis nor the
federal basis in our State representation. The
beauty of this system Isl that avoiding alike on
either side dangerous extremes, it combines in
harmony the principles of taxation and popula-
ton, as together afordng the safest basis of re-
presentation. This is the system of representa-.
ton which is known as the mixed basis, (mixed
not of white and black, but of population and
taxation,) and which has continued from 1880
until the present day. In the meantime the po.
pulation has increased in all parts of our State,
but much more rapidly in the country west of
the Allegheny than in any other portion, until
now the free white population in Virginia east of
the Blue Ridge is 369, 1893, whilst the free white
population west Of the Blue Ridge amounts to
81, $40, showing an excess of 2,l72 of white
population in Western Virginia over that Of East
ern. 1t would seem then from this, that if white
population alone is to be taken into consideration,
Western Virginia would be entitled to MAORI
~ OF about one in our State Legislature, whereas
the East now has the majority of % in the lower
house and 6 in the Senate. But by a reference
TO the Auditors Report of 1915, the source from
which this information is drawn, it will be found
mat Eastern Virginia pays annually into the
State Treasury $i26,493, whilst Western Viz
glnia only pays $iS2,413. We would put the
question then, as one of common justice between
man and man, 10 the voters of this county to say,
II the East have white population but very lit.
tie smaller than the West, and at the same time
pay about seven-tenths of the revenue to support
the government and internal improvements, who
should nave the power 10 appropriate this reve-
nue.! Ought 1t to belong TO the East or to the
West! All will readily admit that there can be
no danger TO any part by leaving the power OF
laying the taxes in the hands of those who must
themselves pay seven-tenths of the whole a.
mount raised. But would there be none if the
tax-iaying power were placed in the hands oil
those who only pay three-tenths of the amount
they levy! The great burden Of the song OF
Western grievances, (and by Western is meant
west OF the Allegheny, for The Valley has but lit
tie interest any way in The basis question:, is tina!
the East will not make improvements i'm the
West sufficient to afford them way out to mar
ket with their produce. They say adopt the
white basis system, give us tine majority in the
Legislature, and we'll manage things differently
we'll levy taxes on the State, and carry out a
system of internal improvement in the West. such
as she needs-we'l! cut through her mountains
McAdamlze her roads, open out her rivers and
In short, develope all her mighty resources as
they Should be-and then, when all this is done,
our section will become highly improved and
wealthy, and we will pay as much revenue to
the State Treasury as the East. This may be all
true. But, ow.citizens of Augusta, is it right
IS ]usuce Is there any right or justice in
the principle of taxing one portion of the com.
munity for the benefit of the other! Is there
any right or justice in the principle of taxing
one part OF the State for the avowed purpose Of
building up another? The sound principles O,
Justice and the plain, straightforward honesty Of
the voters OF this county will answer these ques-
lions. as they should be answered, at the polls
1t has been remarked thar there can certainly
be no danger of the West or of any other Sec
tons being burdened with taxation for the sake
'of building up schemes of internal improvement
SO long as The tax-Iaying power remains in the
nancs OF the East. And for an obvious reason
because she cannot lay tax of one dollar on the
west, without at the same time laying two oil
three on herself. This then is a sufficient guar.
antee. But how would it be if the case were re.
versed! What surety could we give the Eas
that she Should not be overtaxed! 1t is answer,
ed that the East ought TO be willing to trust her.
self TO the honor Of the West. Frail support
when interest is at stake. We speak it not in
disparagemsnt of the West. Whatever is en-
rof -
trusted TO his dishonesty, and we will not here
enter into any ARGUMENT 10 shnyr how far The nnn