The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-11-07
For the New Era.
INCORPORATING THE TOWN


Mr.. Editor Many plans for the improve
ment of the Town of Portsmouth now occupy
the minds of its citizens, and the subject of lis
further Incorporation seems 10 be the most promi-
nent one at this time but unfortunately with this
as with every other subject which can be started
tor the improvement of our Town, it becomes
mixed up Immediately with party Politics, and
the consequence is that Misrepresentation have
become so numerous, and party feeling so much
excited, that the great body Of the people who
have the matter to decide at last, will become so
confused by contradictory statements that, in the
end, they will decide TO do nothing as the safest
way. A few of these mi~sstatemenis [ will here
mention.
IL has been frequently asserted, and as often
denied, 1hat if the people Of Portsmouth would
get q iurther act of Incorporation from the Legis-
lature, that Portsmouth would Immediately be
allowed an independent representative. This
subject was discussed the other night before The
assembled people, where it was insisted upon by
the advocate of Incorporation as a circumstance
that would certainly follow Incorporation, and as
positively denied by the speaker in opposition,
who not only denied that a Representative would
be granted To Portsmouth, but went on ,o saw
mat a similar application had been made by an
other Town OF the Stale, and the application had
been promptly rejected. Now, if the whole truth
had been known to all at first, how many anorv
discussions and bitter feelings would have been
saved. The truth is this, and any person can
see for himself, who will take the trouble 10 ex-
anime the Constitution of The State of VItoioi,
on the subject-The whole State is divided into
four grand divisions, and each grand division is
allowed a certain number of Representatives in
the Legislature, and this grand division of the
State with its apportioned Representation is un
alterable, under the present Constitution of the
State. Each of these grand divisions are again
divided into Counties and Towns, and to each of
these Counties and Towns was apportioned a GER
tam portion ut the Representation belonging to
the Stahu division to which they belonged, and
this aPPor'ionment OF Representation lasts ten
years. and is allerabIe every ten years. The
present apporlionment dates from the year 1871.
and OF course is unalterable until 1851. When The
present apportIonment of representation took place
the County of Norfolk was allowed two Ron,esoo
tatiyes, and that arrangement cannot he ,l,oroJ
until the year 1851. It. that time Portsmouth,
has a population sufficient to justify il. and ,oatos
the demand, il will certainly be allowed a Rene.
sentative, which may be taken from the Connie
of Accomac, Norfolk County, or wherever the
population j%ustifes it, and not necessarily from
Norfolk County. and cannot be before.
Again. 1t is coDtended by the opponents Of
further incorporation that if the Town is further
Incorporated, that The power will be given TO the
Public Authorities to light up the streets, to have
a public guard, &C., &C.. and that The authorities
will become Immediately very extra VACANT, and
they will of course run the Town to great necu-
mary expense. If those who have a fear IF ,bis
kind, or feel interested in this matter. will onIw
take the trouble to look into an act Of Tho r oa.
lature, Of the year 1886, for The further Iocotno.
ration of tho Town Of Portsmouth they will tbs,o
see that all Of these powers, and many more p
already granted the Authorities Of the Town. and