Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-09

The Slate, and by that sort Of wealth control the
numbers who have little property; for, as to those
who have no property taxed by The Stale, Iney
have no more voice in the Legislature than the
slaves, although taxed in their persons by county
levies, working on the roads, patrolling al night
mastering in the militia, and, IN lime Oh war,
fighting in the field
The friends OF the mixed basis, on his floor and
elsewhere, declare that if il was no. for the appre,
hension of unjust taxation on slaves, they would
moi oppose the white basis. Now il can prove
that he fears OF our Eastern friends are ground
less and that the cause which produced their Tears
has 10 great extent ceased 10 exist, then lhInR
the gentleman from Halifax and his friends on
this floor will yield to the white basis and pass Inc
substitute under consideration. Should do this,
and The gentleman persist in opposing Inc Wni'e
basis then we behold, in opposition 10 reason ana
argument, the alarming proposition staring US IN
The face, that The wealthy lew Ok they CAM are
determined TO rule The many.
Ii the white basis is migrated in the Convention
BILL the East and West will be equal in that body,
taking the census oil 1870.
| Our Eastern friends contend that slave proper
ty can only be projected by having majority OF
delegates East Of the Blue Ridge, because such
delegates represent slaveholdins countless Whls
Western members represent lew slaves; ana II
you give 10 the West the power, they will impose
4
this branch of The subject little further, and
will endeavor to prove TO our Eastern friends that
upon the white basis the East will find ample pro-
lection against unjust taxation on slaves; and
bring the argument OF Eastern gentlemen 10 prove
the position have taken.
Ii is admitted by those who oppose the white
basis, that they have ample security against un'
just taxation on slaves so long as they have de-
cided majority in The House Of Delegates from
/ ~ -, tran hp
should The West gel The power, because The East
contend that there is not an identity OF interest
between the East and West on all subjects oil tax
ation This is not true applying 10 the irlole
Vest. taking interest and identity Of subjects OF
taxation as the rule to decide; because, il will be
remembered, that the Valley is ranked with the
West: and il is sell evident that between The Val
lev and the East OF the Blue Ridge there is an
identity of inleres, on all subjects OF laIalion.-
| Nov. if can show TO our Eastern friends in
this House, that there are seventeen counties
| West OF The Blue Ridge, and mostly in The Val
| lev which have as deep an interest IN slave pro-
| pery as seventeen counties in The East, should
then hone that all fears as 10 the white basis will
be forever removed. II will be seen by the GEN.
sus of 1910 that there is about 5000 majority OF
white population West Of the Blue Ridge. Els.
tablsh the white basis on the population OF 1910,
| and the East will have 81 Delegates and the
West 81, in a House of l34 members. With
| such House, question OF slave taxation, un9ua
on its face, comes up for considerallon-lhe East
| has e. certain and the West has g. including
the Valley; and in the Valley and a few other
Western counties there are II slavehoding coun-
lie> which are as deeply interested in The TAX on
slave property as IL counties to be lound IN Inc
East Is it TO be supposed that the Valley coun-
lies, holding a large and increasing number Of
slaves, would vote Tor unjust taxation on slaves
| Certainly not, il interest is TO control members.
| Their interest would forbid an unjust tax On
slaves. Principle, justice, and high sense OF
honor would frown upon an unjust lax upon sucn
properly. o,o
According 10 The white population OF lS4O, the
East would have 81, and the West 81 members -
Add 10 the Eastern vote the II Valley and other
Western members representing this strong slave
interest and YOU have 81 for The slave 81
which would give to The East majority OF 81
| on The question of slave laxaton-maklDg ln.e-
rest alone the guide. But suppose but ol The
| Valley delegates, who represent The counties
most numerous in slaves would only vote with
The East, there would still be clear majority OF
| l6 on this question in favor Of The East. But
suppose you take The population Of ls4b, as esti-
mated, which would give The West two more de-
esates; still The East would have II majority on
this question will now proceed to show by the
have as great an interest in slave properly as II
other counties 10 be founu in the East. | shall
begin by enumeraing first the Eastern counties,
as follows: Charles City has 2.439 slaves; Eliza
beth City l.70S; Fairfax 1888; Greene 74O;
Henry 1852; James City ,947; Lancaster 2, 47s;
Patrick .s42; Prince William 2,767; Richmond
$685. York ll2; King George 3,2S2; Warwick
s3l: Northumberland 3,2i3; Isle OF Wight 4, lo5;
and ppahannock 1868.
will next proceed TO enumerate II counties
West OF The Blue Ridge conta lining the following
slaves, to wit Jefferson 4,l3T; Augusta Abs;
Rockbridse $3.50; Botelour 1925 Clarke 1926;
Frederick 1902 kanawha $500; Washington
, .O5s; Berkeley 1919; Wylhe ,GlS Rockingham
1899; Roanoke 1853; Hampshire ,4O3; Warren
,434; Montgomery l,493 Greenbrier l,4i2 and
| Hardy 1881 Here then, you perceive in IL
| Eastern counties A, 459 slaves, and IL Western
counties containing 3S, 0SG slaves, which shows
perfect identity OF in,eresl in slave property which
| will al all times afford TO The East a certain pro-
! lection against any attempt 10 impose an unjust
tax on slaves This will render the East secure
| from all danger, should representation be based
on white population exclusively. Mr.. Speaker,
| will venture to place my own beautiful, fertile
and romantic little county of Page ON The list 81
| Valley counties who would resist unjust taxation
on slaves | adjoin Madison and Rappahan-
mock, with one loo, touching the East and the
! OtleT III Tic w cat duu nave LO uc6IdtlOH III
saying that no delegate could be elected from
Page who would favor unjust taxation on slaves
| II delegate would vote wrong because his coun-
| ~ had an interest in voting wrong, ne certainly
would vote right, if interest led that way. Ny
| county has al this time about 900 slaves an in
,erest equal if not more that any other single
species Of personal property in the county, and
therefore entitled 10 equal protection; but hope
our delegates from all quarters Of the State will
4 tho f,d p far fh,
sake of interest. Let our actions and decisions
be guided by the steady and unerring hand OF
Justice. Mr.. Speaker, il have failed 10 convince
our Eastern friends that there is no danger in the
white basis, shall attribute my failure 10 The in
Auence OF the atmosphere they breathe.
While contend for The while basis, or repre-
sentaion on The qualified voters of The State, am
anxious 10 secure The East from all apprehended
danger OF unequal taxes on slaves; and would
agree that feature should be migrated in The new
| Constitution, that no bill should pass into law
taxing slaves, unless by vote Of three-hihs OIL
the Senate; and 10 give additional public conf
dence 10 ha, body, would increase The Senate
10 40 members, giving 10 The East 20, and TO the
West 20 on The white population Of 1910. In
such a Senate no bill taxing slaves could pass
without obia lining q votes out OF the 40, which
would in effect give 10 The east majority OF l.
| In a full Senate IL Eastern votes could defeat
tax on slaves that was unreasonable. Here the
East would have the power OF preventing unjust
taxation, and The West would be satisfied by hav-
ing her full share OF representation on white po-
puaton. Lei this principle be migrated in the
new Constitution, and all sectional feeling will
vanish. We shall no more hear Of an array OF
The East against The Wesi-al will be harmony
it will strengthen the bonds of interest; increase
the Ties of friendship; promote the prosperity OF
our citizens and perpeluale The union Of the East
and West, and make the Old Dominion what it
should be, one and indivisble.
Mr. Speaker, the inequality OF representation
is moi the only defect in The Constitution which
The friends Of Convention seek 10 remedy
No, there are other defects in our Constitution
TO which | shall advert, so VIGOROUSLY unjust in
their operation as TO be felt and sligmatised mol
only in The West, but in every county in this
Commonwealth, and if not speedily remeded by