The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-21

VIRGINIA CossrrrTioSAL REYoRS CONVENTION
On the 9th Of January, The convention called to
amend and revise the constitution Of Virginia, will
re. assemble, pursuant to adjournment, in the city
Of Richmond.
There are many important questions Of State
policy 10 which it's attention will he called I;
and among them, one which, in view Of the Pc
euhar circumstances Of the day, will excite no
little interest beyond the limits Of the State. This
last il the question 10 what shall constitute the
bssis Of representation in the State Legislature
white population exclusively, or white and slave
population combined' In that portion Of the State
lying west Of the Alleganies, known as Wcsiemvir-
ainia resides large ms ioriiy Of the white population
holding but few slaves, while in Eastern Virginia
all that region lying Of that range is called
containing but minority Of the white population,
is owned the great body OF the slaves Of the State
The present constitution OF the State, with n view
ofprotecting this peculiar species Of properly from
burdensome taxation, or other aggression upon IL,
provides that II shall enter element into the
basis Of representation in the State Legislature. By
THE provision, Eastern Virginia, with white popu.
lstion far less than Western Virginia, has mao
rty, and tbertby the control OF the Legislature OF
this, the western portion OF the State, rapidly In
creasng as It 10, in population, complains ss un-
just, and IL was the hope and desire Of rene.
dying this that induced the people there to vote 20
unanimously az they did for the assembling OF a
convention to revise the State constitution.
The people Of Eastern Virginia, fearful o
the progress Of the spirit of abolition ia the
west, desire TO retain the control Of the
legislation OF the State, and are. therefore,
with lew exceptions, equally unanimous ia IA
vor OF the "mixed basis" or white population
and slaves combined. Among these exceptions is
Mr.. III. A. Wise, although he 10 an ardent advocate
Of slavery, and the representative from one Of the
largest slayebolding counties IA the State. Par.
ties on this question are nearly equally divided in
the convention, and IL will be the all absorbing
topic Of consideration in that body. The sdiourn-
ment, from November to January, being for the
avowedobject of receiving the returns Of the United
States census now being taken, was considered as
triumph Of the Western division. the Eastern
members generally voting against it, There can
he no doubt that, IL the power In the government
should be transferred TO the West, with the few
slaves owned there and growing feeling existing
among the people there, 10 get rid Of ,he institu.
Non, the periods Of emancipation may be materially
fastened.
The convention, which is ed of the most
talented men OF the State, and Of which John Y.
Mason late Secretary Of the Navy, is the presiding
officer, has contracted with Mr.. wm. g. Bishop,
late Of the official corps Of reporters Of the United
States sens'e, and well known in this state and
st Washington, az an able and competent repor-
sr, TO furnh fuIl sad accurate repprs Of its de-
tsies and Jsocseargs