Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-02-12

been noticed by us1t 1$he bill in most oil It's pro-
y%isions is acceptable aSd we think SHOULD satisfy
the friends: of Reform i all parts of The State
1t submits directly 10 jti,e decision "fthe people,
the "vexei question s6f the 5asis-and provides
for their DECISION st:tslie p%oIIstof theft preference
forthe " White Basfibb'|S the Compound BASH"
We think here caaa u little doubt that the defi-
sion of the: people sspr i be ID favor 6fthe Nkitc
Basis, audit is for tiie, treason Of this conviction,
that we bag a~pprehe4ded from the FIRST Pefgsal
ofthe bill Cow befoHRee tee House thatkit would be
defeated. bz failing ID secure the vote ofour East
ern Refor4 friends8iln she Legislature. 1t is at
terly impossible fof ahe Western Reformers of
themselves to carry the cause in the Legislature
they mug have the asd of their Eastern ccad-
tutors. Upon this Ppppipf we cannot id beuer than
to recall the recollection. nf onr readers 10 The
full and conclusive argument of our corresPcn-
den" Potomac" inEsh e'eonclutIing Number ptE'is
discussion pfthe subject Of Co Constitutional Reform
through opf columns IL is well known that tie
East has aiconsiderakle 'majotity in {be Legisln-
ture, and can defcatians bill aopbnoxiqus to them
1t is also we'll knoy.s chat our Eastern friends
/ agree with jus upon 9pefy Other SUBJECT of resiprn
except The basis of tsp%Seseatalsfoa, and that upon
that point (Eey are very tenacious, because they
think a numerical najo:ity in The Legislature is
the only sale guatsntre which they can have
a gainSt the burdensopti and oppressive taxation
Ioi their slave property. We think their views
ierroncous, and tlcirifeags grolindless,yet we can
fully appreciate tIieif ssnsiliveDess in lhcse .rou-
tblous times. i
We shalt look witll anxiety to the progress OF
3tlis discussion before tie Ltgislature-thc bill
i've perceived is to be r,ttgl%led-the bone Of conten.
IAion is the basis. 7ttc e Richmond Tines one
,hmong the most ably conducted Wing Journals
in Virginia, and which we have always regard
I'D as The organ of the East upon the basis qlues.
zion, on the 9th inst, thus di4courses upon the
+suhject:-
STATE CoHTENTtoa.-Tlie bill now before
the House Of Dclcgafcf, for taking the sense CT
zlhe people ON The call III cotventioh to revise
the constitution OF the State, besides Prppounding
ithat issue, also pro-: Ties for taking the popular
vote on the question Ihetlier the convention sttal
4be organized on theI basis of white population
Alone, or on the basis ct white population and
taxation combined. hcS0rdingto the decision Of
fhe bare majority Of doters. as.to tie latter p"int,
ile Governor, if The im&lority vote also ior The
gall, is 10 make proclamation Of the result. and
lor holding y general election ol delegates Oh the
day oil -. If the = white basis be adept
ed, the appnfiionment OF representation is fixed
~ the bill, SO as to giye the counties West nf!he
tlue Ridgc,<with P0iic& aud HenryincInded in
one of the Western districts, and Franklin in
smother, n delegates, leaving So to the East
&c The /" mix9d basis" lie adopted, the bill appor-
65ons to the western Counties g. delegates, and
to The TIasreIn couHti9s - delegates:
This scEipme, it will be perceived, assumes
for the Legislature Authority to declare that a
majority of voteri may change theconsti'u-
ttun although. tie constitution itself probibits such
II majority irom aiteriig the ordinary laws. IN
humble Judgment, itltis is but asserting. in
another fnrn:t the priuEipse Of tile Dorr revolution
10 Rhode ISllnd. Thf Legislature has no right
II rccngnite:an but tIe constitutional 3naJnritYt
II The Eastern ,nembeFS gre prepared to transfer
TIC power of;Eovernment. from their constituents
hefore n primary convention is held, they certain
II can adopt no more direct mode otdoirlg sothan
ID presented in this big.
" We are glad TO see chat Mr.. Stovall has in.
,roduceda c6nvention;h bill, less Objectionable in
It's provisions"
Now we lave appreciated thlsvery argument
from The EaS:., and thif point onr friend and cor
respondent "'!%t!'otomacI deliberately argied in The
discussion oEthe questipn:of the basis in!tIle early
CT his correspondence with US. NO man.
i'll our Distriet has deTgjted a more careful study
u this question, or If,sfstigated it With more
Ii oro,,rh -, /. and ui 3G noes tl,an onr CORES.
I nIon, vhdT, va ;nso,Inea H. re.,ters sot,,s
u W. "a" w. - tsrsEnr W. 1,,;.
80 80 IS ~ III ,nro :,
sF"s'e"'a" "[' q 'nenH!YsG = ."v 'ss,5'a'"' IT
session q when lie sIla9ect was
fally discussed t!uring.fi,s' pcndency ofthe Alex
anndria case and the ria :aportionmcnt bill. He
,tHHor. bod a., arnor,, 4. az hcs+inr M vie ,ys II
III : ~ ~ !pp.N /. -
ftat'e!n ana s'es'cf" ETe.'' an' oe'"g \ most s.
fpitlcd White oasis man would nht havegESeen IKE
III to have been willinglto;a CON Pronisslad there
bJs i'm the lea3 hone Of. sas.ry inn the Wk5,e basis.
Il. ,ie,inai ), dnweyer ,bbi,5, ma i; 10. III, nd i
hi = ~" II 4, ! I'M :" ~
attainablc he ptiercd asFe@9lltticti for tle4 call o.a
Convention Upon the tsas$:' of tile present lioqse
1T DeleeatesAl- basis;.t san be Stalled the pre-
Ill., .rr,ngeH,ent beiI5a i npresv Arbitrary and