Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-10-08
From the Spirit of Jefferson.
constitutional Reform

JAMES w. BELLER, ESQ, Sir: The last letter
which addressed to you, was mainly devoted 10
a historical sketch of the question of Constitu-
tlonal Reform IN Virginia, from 1890 10 the con-
Vention OF 1S29-'30, as extracted from speech
delivered in that distinguished body, by the late
Philip Doddridge decd, of Brooke COUNTY. The
'facs from the record, presented in the extracts
which | made from that speech, demonstrated
the 1rflfe bass to have been, at all times, fa-
vorlte principle with the reformers of Virginia,
whether they came from the East or the West OF
the Blue Ridge. While the extract fully vindi
Gated that great Republican basis, it at the same
time clearly and succiuctly presented the views
OF It's opponents, and the grounds and reasons Of
their opposition. The mired basis proposition of
Judge Green; after protracted, and one Of the
most able debates ever conducted in this or any
other country, was lost, the vote in convention
being ayes At, noes 49, The entire delegation
from the west aided by several members from
the east voted in the negative; and some ofthose
III the east, who voted in the affirmative, We're
not satisfied with the mixed basis, but were in
fayor OF the Federal number OF three-ftihs of the
sa'es, but voted for il alone in preference to the
uh1te basis after the defeat of the mixed basis,
Mr.. Leigh of Richmond, moved the Federal ba-
sis, which was also rejected By vote of ayes
Al, noes 40. AS remarked in my last letter,
after the defeat OF the mixed basis, and the Fed
eral basis, great variety Of propositions for
compromise were submitted and passed upon
and that finally, when despair was almost ready
TO settle down upon the convention, the arbltrQ-
~ arrangement row existing, was submitted by
Mir Gordon, OF Albemarle; and carried. | might
proceed here % give youa detail of the several
propositions OF compromise which were submit
ted and rejected but it will not be necessary,
nor could it serve any practical end Or purpose
will merely add that the arhife basis was reject
ed twice upon distinct propostions-the last
time upon an amendment offered by Mr.. bod
bridge, and amended by MIR. Chapman Johnson,
it was submitted in these words: CATER the year,
1s41, and every twenty years thereafter, there
shall be new apportionment of Representatives
and a new assessment Of land tayes---each ap-
portlonment OF representation shall be made in
the following manner, and on the following ba-
sis, viz: the number of free white inhabitants in
the House OF Delegates, and the Federal number
IN the Senate-the vote was ayes AS, noes 48-
the proposition not having majority in its ia
vor was lost. The final question was then put.
as agreeing to Gen. Gordons compromise and
carried by a vote Of ayes So, noes Al, the large
body Of the white bass advocates voting in the
negative, but several Of them voted in the affir-
native, choosing, | presume, between a choice
OF evils. Great excitement prevailed throughout
the State upon the annuneiation of this vote es-
pecially throughout the western portion Of it
" hen the new constitution was Submitted to the
vote OF the people, it was almost unanimously
rejected in several of the Northwestern counties:
indeed it WIS very colby receiyed BY all of the
counties on this side Of the Blue Ridge, and OF
those who did vote for yQfifWng, it was with the
avowal that it was a choice OF evils-somethina
better than the cd systcn-a step in the pro-
gress: perhaps to other and more successful eff
forts in behalf OF the rights of popular liberty
)f tho
Berkeley and Morgan gave decided maiorities a.
ganst ratifying-Han1rs and Frederick near
ly equally DIVIDED, and Jefferson voting for it,
ayes 24S, noes SIS, which was an exceedingly
meagre vote tor so dense a population and so
large number of freeholders as she then had
The people OF Virginia have never been satisfied
with the present constitution, and distribution of
power under it, and hence the efforts which
have been making for years to obtain the call of
another convention. 1t is manifest from the dis
cussons which have taken place npon the Gncs-
ton i'll the Legislature at different times since
1910, that the same issues, to great extent at
least, are now dividing the people of Virginia,
that divided their representatives. i'll the conren-
ton OF 1s29-'30; though perhaps owing to a
change OF circumstances in the condition of the
State since the meeting Of the last convention
the main difficulty will admit of more easy
JUST and satisfactory arrange than the pre-
| sent one The mixed basis know can never
be adopted the principles upon which it rests
are too obnoxious and distasttf ul ever again tc
be seriously urged in republican body, even
were it at all equal & practicable in lis operation
it is impossible ever to make population and tar-
alton work with any degree OF justice-apply it,
and Richmond would swallow several counties
at one gu'p. Mr.. Joseph Mayo, the able and in
telligent representative in the last General AS
sembly; from the city Of Richmond, asserted it
as a TACT which no one controyerted, that that
city paid into the Treasury of the State annually
the qae-adnth, q think of the revenue Of the
State, including merchants licenses, sc. and SC
might cite other large cities, and apply t5ie ar
rangement OF the mixed basis, and here would
1t lead to-ceranly rot to justice toward the
counties and the great interests of the State
Nor eau see that the Federal basis would work
any thing like equality to the people of this
great commonwealth, and the great variety OF
interests which make up and constitute the in
dustria pursuits and prosperity OF great people.
The arisite basis is the only basis of representa-
ton OF which know anything, which seems to
extend justice to all, and to LAY down a platform
upon which the citizens OF free and republican
government can stand together Neither. Of the
three bases--tbe white, the mixed, or the Fede-
raj, We're adopted by the last convention, bat yet
the compromise Of General Gordon threw the
toNNi VI t4ic tfstclu SIC
ton OF the State, yet it is better far the aavo-
Gates of reform on the uEite tasis, that the COM
promise prevailed over the mixed basis Or the
Federal number it has left the question oren,
and gives us an opportunity 10 contest the JUS
tice and strength OF oar cause before the people
at the Polls. You are aware that attempts have
been made in the Legislature several times in
the last fey years to procure bill for the call
of convention, and that at the session of 1S45,
-'A6, the subject was most ably and elaborately
discussed in the House of Delegates. Mr. Left
witch, Of Wythe, proposed bill calling a con-
vertion upon the white basis, which was lost
Mr. Scott, OF Fauquier, proposed bill upon the
arrangement OF the present House of Delegates
that is to say, to be composed of 1876 members,
and each county, borough, and election district
to be entitled to so many representatives as they
are now entitled 10 in the House of Delegates
tor instance, Jefferson 2, Berkeley ?, Morgan
Frederick 2, Hampshire 2, &c.-but the West
em members in a body rejected this proposition
ana 1t was voted against by several members