Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-18

"tains white population of two hundred and
twelve thousand and thirty-six souls The
sswhole white population Of Virginia being no
"moTe thail five hundred and fifty three thous-
ssand eight hundred and nine, it follows thai
s'the Country west OF the Blue Ridge is enti-
s.iled TO nine Senators instead Of four.
son the other hand, thirteen Senatorial dis
"tricts on Underwater, which contain a white
population OF only one hundred and sixty
1.-TWO thousand seven hundred and seventeen.
"and are entitled, therefore, TO but screen Sena-
"lors, have actually Hsirtcen-tha; is to say. a
"najoriiy IL one branch Of the Legislature,
(Which possesses a negative on all bills passed
ssby the other. And thus, the representatives
"of one hundred and sixty two thousand of the
'speople can prevent the passage Of the most
important law, though advocated BIZ the rep
''resentatlves Of nearly four hundred thous-
land.
''Of the thirteen Senatorial districts on tide
"water, eiecen contain fewer white inhabitants
leach than the County of Frederick and one
''of the eleven Counties scarcely more than
'.one fourth OF the white population Of that
''county.
10 cap the climax Of inequality, the white
population Of The smallest tlde-water district
sis, to that Of the largest mountain district, as
'soae to scueateea and a-ialf"
1t is manifest, from these extracts that so
gross and monsuous was the inequality, as
really TO be '.nockery Of the principles Of free
government" The whole subject is exhibited
under very different circumstances since the
adoption OF the amended Constitution. True,
it was assumed that power should be in the
hands of the majority in the Representation.
The question did not, then, present itself, as
f,,lI, 10 al. 4
and modified form of Just combination Of
property and numbers. The Address did not
stop--it would have been idle and unwise to
have done 500 discuss that point. A noun
tain of oppression was TO be removed, and il
would have been to no purpose to have con-
sidered the exact limits OF the principles, which
should regulate the reorganization of the gov
eminent
Such was the character Of the projected re-
formation, and such continued 10 be the con
dition Of public sentiment, up to the period OF
the Convention Of 1880. The gentleman
referred 10, whose name has been introduced
in connection with this subject, immediately
upon the assembling of the Convention, had
his attention drawn specially to the question
what is the precise basis, upon which the rep
resentation should be placed? His investiga-
ton led TO the conclusion, that while the just
and substantial purposes of the West would be
accomplished by such an arrangement, as is
provided in the present Constitution, it was
lnadinissible and Ubiquitous 10 transfer to the
West the power TO control the Legislation of the
onwealth-although, as a Delegate rep
resentlDg Western opinion, he, steadtastly,
voted to sustain Western measures.
Such is faithful epitome ofthis "History."
The citizens of the County will perceive how
far and for what ends, those who have prece-
ded them have, heretofore, struggled and
the consideration of the views, which we have
presented in previous part OF this paper, with
an examination of the condensed table which
follows, will the better enable them, we hope,
TO arrive at enlightened conclusions.