Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-03-05

white populatlon 10 eject eacn uelegate.
The Eastern division, having seventy
eight delegates allowed her, would re-
quire 4,8l6 of her free white popula-
ton to elect each delegate. The frs,
district, having 1873, 1884, and being en-
titled to thirty-one delegates, would re-
quire 5,931 to elect each delegate
The second district, having 1874, 79l,
and entitled to twenty five delegates,
would require 1901 to elect each del
egate. The third district, having 20S,-
656, and entitled to forty-two dele
gates, would require 1912 to elect
each delegate. The fourth. district,
having 167, O0l, and being entitled to
thirty-six delegates, would require a.
$50 to elect each delegate. Taking
the lowest ratio, 1859 which is found
in the fourth district, and equalizing the
other divisions and districts with it,
would disclose this result: The whole
state would be entitled to one hundred
and forty-one delegates; of which num-
Der the Western division would be en-
titled to sixty-nine, and the Eastern
division to eighty-two. The first dis
trict to thirty eight; the second to
twenty-eight; the third to forty-three;
and the fourth to thirty-two. 1t also
shows, that in the distribution of the
Legislative power as above, in the pres
ent Constitution, there were in the Wes-
tern division 58,947 of her free white
population unrepresented; 40,1O6 of
whom were in the first district, and g.
84l in the second district; being frac-
| ton over one-seventh of the whole of
the first district, and a fraction over
onefi fifteenth Of the whole of the second district
This would appear to me to oe sufficient sa-
crlfice of Western interests to satisfy Eastern
| jealousy at least. and was submitted to then,
only because of tho prospect of speedy change
Of circumstances favorable to their condition.
! 1t was contended, at the time of the formation
of the Constitution, that the arbitrary rule then
adopted, in relation to the representative pow
! er of the Government, was just; and would, in
its practical operation, ensure to the communi-
ty that equal protection of persons and of prop
erty designed by the formation ola Republican
just then, it will hardly be less so now. Sure
" no Eastern gentleman will controvert it, or
contend that any sacrifice of Eastern interests
was then made. We will, in the next place
inquire, what representation each division and
district would now be entitled to upon the
same basis, preserving the same relative ratio
as fixed by this arbitrary rule, by reason Of any
change which may be found to have taken
place since then.
We find by the census Of 1910, the State
then contained free white population of 74O,-
96S, of which number there were in the Yves
tern division 81 $40, and in the Eastern divi-
sion 369, 1893; in the first district 234. TIA; in
the second district l36, 796; in the third dis
trict l9S, 1868; and in the fourth district no.
53O-being an increase in the Western divi
sion from 1880 to 1910 Of 81, 895-and de-
crease in the Eastern division of $3.50. Sup
posed increase in the Western division, from
1910 to 1915, TO be 26,447-being half the
increase, from 1880 to 1910, added to 81 $40,
her number in 1910, would ascertain the num-
Der of her free white population to be now
Q845) 1913, I02; in the Eastern division $685.
39S-the same which she had in 1880; al
though it is fair to presume she has less. as
there appears to be falling off of $3.50 from
1880 to 1910. $1,000 of the SO, 895 increase
in the Western division, is in the first district,
and 2.005 in the second district.
Preserve the same relative ratio Of repre-
sentation in the House of Delegates as fixed by
the Constitution, upon the same basis, accord
ing to the change which appears to have taken
place since the adoption of the Constitution,
and what would be the result2 The Western
division, having free white population now
'of 1913, 1902, allowing $500 to each delegate,
the ratio in the Constitution st the time of its
formation, she weuId now be entitled to seven
ty delegates, wanting small fraction; the
Eastern division having the same population
now which she had in 1880, would be entitled
to the same number of delegates which she had
then, seventy eight-torming House Of l48
delegates. The first district would be entitled
to forty-six delegates; the second to twenty
four; the third to thirty-six; and the fourth to
for,y-,wo-what they are now entitled to-
A proposition to elect delegates to the Con-
vention on this principle would be just, if the
arbitrary rule adopted in the present Constitu-
ton wac just. As test of its equality and
justice, it is only necessary to state that it re-
CURED 1891 of the free white population of the
first district to elect delegate, whilst only A.
$50 were required in the fourth district. But
if you pass this bill, the delegates in the pro-
posed Conyention from the fourth district will
represent ratio of 1859 free white popula-
ton; the third district 4,99l; the second dis
trict ,473; and the first district S,427, show
{ ing far greater inequality than existed at the
time of the formation of the present Constitu-
ton: and it seems to me, that the inequality
then was sufficiently imposing to test the 10y
atty of the citizens Of that portion Of the State
that became a victim to its destructive influence.
But it may be said that persons and property
were the subjects upon which the representa-
lion by the present Constitution was based
Be ii so. Then it becomes necessary to en-
qnire, whether there has been any change in
the value Of the property in the two grand dlvl-
sions Of the State since 1880, that will author
ize the East to demand from the West now,
more than she conceded then!
| In saking this inquiry it gives me pain to
the heart, to disclose the declining condition OF
Eastern Virginia. But it may have good eff.
feet in this, that it may put her statesmen, and
purchance her people. on the enquiry. as to the
| .a...n e tba b,m;liat;nr nicture that she now