Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-24
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

The said Stephenson protests ssainst Inc SAT-
act OF The House of Delegates, because in hi
opinion j. was violation of the 4Ih section o
the 3ld article OF the amended constitution, whicl
declares that "il shall be the duty OF The Legisla
.ure 10 re appor,ion once in len years, viz: II
the year 1871, and every ten years thereafter, Int
representation Of the counties, cities, towns ant
bcroughs OF this commonwealth, in both lesis
lauiye bodies: Provided, hOwcrer, That the mum
Der Of delegates from the aforesaid great districts
and the number 0. Senators from The aforesaid
two great divisions respectively, shall be neihhcl
increased nor DIMINISHED by such Ie.apporion
menl
Because the said act of The House OF Delegates
was violation of the 9Th section of tie 81 arl
c.e cf The constitution, which declares that INC
increase shall be made in The Senate and House
Of Delegates, unless By The concurrence Of the uot.
Of tw0-'hrds OF bOih branches Of Tie Legislature.
Because the House of Delegates, in The admis'
sion OF a delegate from the county OF Alexandra
and thus conierrng representation on county
and people that are not entitled 10 il under the con-
siilulion, ssume that The authority 10 confer le
gisltiive rights, is less an act OF sovereignty than
the right OF acquiring errIloIy.
Because the admission OF Delegates from both
the counties Of Fairfax and Alexandria, is VIC
lalion Of that part of The constitution which de-
of lS4 members, unless increased by the concur
renee oil two thirds of both branches OF the Le'
gislatare.
Because, by the said act, The House OF Dele
gales has been increased TO 1875 members tya vOtc
Of less than majoriiy OF the House OF Delegates,
and without a concurrent vote Of The Senate.
Because such increase in The manner in which
il has been accomplished, was violation of The
compromises made between The members OF the
Convention from the different districts OF the
State at the time of the adoption OF that conslltu-
tiCn.
Because in The opinion of The protestant, the
said act OF the House OF Delegates was an act Of
sovereign authority, The exercise OF which belongs
to the people alone, or must be coniormed 10 The
provisions OF the constitution il attempted by The
Legislature.
Because the said act, in the opinion OF the pro-
testant, has broken down and forever driaced The
sacred moni,ons, which should surround our or
ganic law, and made il less secure and stable than
an ordinary act Of The Legislature, and has made
the charter OF our liberties liable to be altered or
abolished as the mutations of party asceIdancY,
the conflicting interests OF different sections or am
bilious schemes may demand or suggest.
Because The increase Of representation in any
Of the great divisions Of The State, without cor.
responding increase in the others, is dn asgrava-
lion OF The injustice refpetraird upon Western
Virginia by The trainers Of The said anne ndej con-
stilulion, in the arrangement oi representation,
and will in the opinion OF The protestant ndefi.
nIely postpone any redress OF the wrong then
done 10 that part Of The Stale.
And, because the said act, in the opinion of
the protestant, denies to Western Virginia all
hope Of draining her just share in The lesis!a-
ton Of The Stale, unless by 4 resort 10 the iunda-
mental principles contane.i in The 3 section OF
the Bill Of Rights The indubabe, iualienabe,
and indeieasible right 10 reform, alter, or abolish
the prescn, form Of government, il the majority
shall deem il conductive 10 The common benefit,
and to The protection and security Of The greater
number
And he protests against the said act OF the
House Dt Delegates being regarded As settle
men o. the right OF both Fairfax and AIeyantria,
10 send delegates 10 The General Assembly nm
less upon re-apportiCnmcnI, as provided for by
he constitution, delegate shall be assigned Ia
each.
lie further protests against any law as uncon-
s'iluiona, that may be passed BY The woes of de-
legatcs thus admitted TO seats in The Legislature;
and lastly,
He protests against The admission OF delegates
from Alexandria and Fairfax, and from Fairfax
aiCne, because the House Of Delegaes, on The
18Th instant, b. vote OF II 10 80, declared that
both were no, entitled 10 seals; and because The
practical operation Of the decision of he Hcuse,
admitting delegate from The election districI OF
Fairfax and Aiexandria, is 10 give The county OF
Fairfax two representatives upon the floor OF this
House, all of which is in violation OF sections I'd
and Sd OF the constitution, which assigns but one
delegate 10 The county OF Fairfax.
J. Nj. STEPHENSON.
Mr.. CONWAY, alludingi the absence ot The
delegates from Fairfax and Alexandria, suggested
the propriely Of laying The protest on The table,
until they were again in their seats.
Mr.. STEPHENSON minated his assent 10
this course, and the prc!es, was for The present,
laid on The table.
On motion OF. MIR. THOMPSON. ni r tho
House adjourned. -