Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-11-28

EASTERN AND WESTERN NIRGINIA.-The Sec
tionaI controversy between Eastern and Western
Virginia, relating to the basis OF representation in
the state legislature forms the chief issue in the
Convention at Richmond. The West, superior in
population, but paying less into the treasury than
the Ea ST, demands that the present system Of rep
resentation on the mixed basis of population and
property shall be changed, and that population
alone shall constitute the basis. This Is depTeCa-
ted BY the people Of the East. who unwilling to
give the political control of the state into the hands
of the western people, who, owning but few slaves,
would not be likely to look upon that species of
property with much favor. but might be dispos ed
to burden it with heavy eXaCtions in the shape OF
taxes.
The convention has taken a recess for some
weeks without having advanced much beyond the
preliminary forms OF OF ganiZation. The symptoms
of a warm contest, however, on the issue we have
referred to, have aie ady disclosed themselves. Civ
ing indications of severe struggle which may
shake the old commonwealth to her foundations.
The Richmond Republican, after succinri outline
of the positions OF the respective parties OF the East
and West. goes on to remark:
Gwen reader unaCq uainted with Virginia by per-
sonal observation might easily perceive, # ON this
brief and imperfect sketch, that the Commonwe alth
is on the eve of very exciting events. There is
material enough on both sides for the deepest pas
sion. and there are abundant grounds to fear that,
unless the question of basis lie satisfactorily ad-
justed, Virginia is in danger OF that terrible caam
ity, division of the state. Even at the CoDven-
ton of 1929, before the West had majority Of
numbers, such result was regarded by some of its
representative pre- ferable to what they regade as
sectional degradation; while the most conspicuous
champion of the east, Mr. Benz. Watkins Leigh, de-
Clared substantially that division of the state
would he preferable 10 a government which
property should not be adequately protected
There is no doubt that the same feeling is still
prevalent on both sides of the mountains. and that
there are thousands, east and west. who, rather
than give up all their demands, would prefer di.
Wis pF he e. n ptl Mt VI 10
recate a calamity hcyond words to express. A
dissolution of the Union of Virginia would be
scarcely less terrible than dissolution OF the A
merican Union. II would be even more painful in
rendng asunder the ties Of brothe rhood. and dash
ing to the ground the cherished hopes Of the resio
ration of the former prosperity and power OF a
Commonwealth most yenerated and beloved by all
her sons. 1t would place free state upon tie
western borders OF Eas ern Virginia thus lncTeas-
ing the already swollen majority Of the free states
in the national ,ouncils. If il would lie dangerous
TO slave property TO give power to awestern major
ity of friends, ii would be still more pcrilous 10
suffer those friends TO be converted INTO enemies
by the division of the state, and the establishment
Of the boundary of free state in the immediate
ne,ghboihood of the large slave holding population
of Eastern Virginia.
As measure OF compromise IL is suggested that
the majority of numbers in the West might be re-
spected and the protection Of property in the East
be provided for, by placing the House of Delegates
upon the basis Of white population only, and toilet
the compound basis OF population and taxation, re-
main for the organization of the Senate. This plan,
il is said, was recommended by EXPIRE sident Mon
roe in the convention Of 1sas.-Bdh. american.