Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-11-21

4 Inc Sectlonal controversy between
Eastern and Western Virginia, rela-
ting 10 the basis Of representation in
the State Legislature, forms the
chief issue in the Convention al
Richmond. The West, superior in
population, but paying less into the
Treasury than the East, demands
that the present system Of represen-
tation on the mixed basis Of popula-
ton and property shall be changed,
and that population alone shall con-
s,jtute the basis. This is deprecated
by the people of the East, who are
IN willing to give the political con-
troll of the State into the hands OF the
Western people. who, owning but a
| few slaves, would not be likely to
look upon that species Of property
with much favor, but might be dis
posed to burden it with heavy exac-
lions in the shape Of taxes.
The Convention has taken recess
for some weeks without having ad-
vanced much beyond the preliminary
forms OF organization. The symp-
toms of a warm contest, however, on
the issue we have referred to, have
already disclosed themselves, giving
indications of a severe struggle
which may shake the old Common
wealth to her foundations. The
Richmond Republican, after a sue
cinct outline OF the positionseof the
respective parties Of the East and
the West, goes on to remark:
"Even a reader unacquainted with
Virginia by personal observation
might easily perceive, from this briel
and imperfect sketch, that the Com
monweaIth is on the eve OF very ex-
is,ing events. There is material
enough on both sides for the deep
est passion, and there are abundant
grounds to fear, that unless the ques-
ton of basis be satisfactorily adjus-
ted, Virginia is in danger Of that ter
rible calamity, division OF the State.
Even at the Convention Of 1929, be-
lore the West had majority OF num-
bers, such a result was regarded bv
some Of its representatives Preiera-
bic to what they regarded as section
al degradation; while the most con-
spicuous champion Of the East, Mr.
BENZ. Watkins Leigh, declared sub
stantiaIly that division Of the State
would oe preferable TO a government
in which property should not be ad'
equately protected. There is ne
doubt that the same feeling is still
prevalent on both sides Of the noun
tains, and that there are thousands
East and West, who, rather than give
up all their demands, would prefer
division Of the State. Such an even
we should deprecate as a calamity
bevond words to express. A disso
luton of the Union OF Virgins
would be scarcely less terrible thai
dissolution oil the American Union
1t would be even more painful II
rendering asunder the ties oil broth
erhood, and dashing to the grounC
the cherished hopes Of the forme
prosperity and power Of a common
wealth most venerated and beloved
bv all her sons. 1t would place
free State upon the Western Dor
ders Of Eastern Virginia; thus in
creasing the already swollen major
itv of the free States, in the natiOna
councils. Ifit would be dangeron
to slave property TO give Power to
|. Western majority offriends, it woul'
S be still more perilous TO suffer thos
4 friends to be converted into enemie
: bv the division Of the State, and IN
establishment OF the boundary OF
free State in the immediate neigh
: borhood of the large slave-holdini
: population Of Eastern Virginia"
As a measure of compromise it
: suggested that the majority Of mum
. bers in the West might he respected
and the protection Of property in III
\ East be provided for. by placing tn
. House Of delegates upon the basis o
/ white population only, and 10 let tn
, compound basis Of population an
taxation remain for the organization
. of the Senate. This plan. it is said
! was recommended by Ex-Presiden
: Monroe in the Convention Of 1929.
GTMr. Daniel II. Rose, who cross
ed the plains TO California during tn