Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-30
Il was in that point Of view

E;-a7df LYONS. If the gentleman from Logan (Ar:
F1GusoS) had heard what said upon that subject, at
least so far concerned there could have been no
difficulty misunderstanding. shall ask the commit
tee upon the Questions Of the interests Of Richmond to
permit say word or two before this discussion
closes What said upon that subject and in that con-
necnon was this: When meeting the argument that
was pressed in respect to the fatality that would result
to Richmond from division of the State, if division
should take place. said if it is the interest OF Western
Virginia she will go to Baltimore, as undoubtedly she
would have right Co. and that therefore it was per-
fectly immatera in respect Richmond whether you
gave the the Legislative control of the State
or division of the State should ensue 1t was said il
you divide the State then Richmond will be banrupted
because western trade will be carried to Baltimore
which replied if that is the case it will be because it
is the interest of the west to carry the trade to Bat
more.
Mr.. FERGUSON. Then correctly understood the
gentleman. His position is if understand it, and
think do that if you divide the State and it is found
to be the interest Of Western Virginia to trade with
baltimore she will do and if it is her interest 70
trade here she will come here. If you do not dvid.
the State and yet give her the political power the
state of things exactly will be the result
am glad the gentleman has re-stated his proposition
for want to say word or two in regard to it. call up
90 that gentleman to say whether he cannot see differ
between the interest of Western Virginia as united
with Eastern Virginia and the interest of Western vir
ginia as disconnected with Eastern Virgnia2 Can he
imagine state OF things where it would be the interest
OF Western Virginia. united in the bond of fraterlui
love and affection with the East to so direct her i'm
proVements as to carry the trade of the mighty West
not only OF Western Virginia but of the great western
and southern country, to Baltimorel Can he imagine
that such state of things would occur if Eastern VAR
gina We're now magnanimously to come forward and
the power she possesses under the present
constitution that which she would retain by this mix
ed basis of representation say that if they were t.
come forward like men, aud surrender this power ana
place the Legislature in the hands of Western Virginia
in what she would that power to the detriment OF
Virginia. Cannot he the difference between carry
ing the trade and travel of the mighty West to balt
under that state of things and under the state OF
things which would it, by the course OF eastern
men upon this hoor they had brought about d!smem
berment of the State 1fyou compel me 10 divae tns
State tell you, SO help me God interest or no
never would vote for any connection with you what
ever AS have stated heretofore, look upon the di
vision of this State as of the worst caates that
could befall the Commonwealth. would never DO drv
en- to it except By system OF injustice ana oppression
such rs no free people ought to submit to but II 1t
come to TINT should 90 from this Commonwealth
smarting under sense of injustice and oppression
and under that sense of injustice should never seek
market in Eastern Virginia for any of my produee-that
is if had any though unfortunately never have any u
SELL for do not belong to the producing class. Coud
gentlemen expect us to seek alliance with them when
we could do as we'll in Baltimorel Now, am of the
opinion that if YOU carry through these lines OF rail-
road, Western Virginia will find as good market in
Richmond as she will in Baltimore. do not believe II
will be any better do believe it will be any worse
Then if we could do as we'll in Baltimore and were d.
vided from Eastern Virginia. We should III all prooaoii-
tv seek market in Baltimore But If we are al!
h.ud together, as gentlemen have expressed it. with
chains Of iron and hooks of STEEL bound together with
bonds Of love and affection, gentlemen suppose
Western Virginia capable of pursuing such system OF
legislation as would carry off the trade and travel OF
the West to the city of Baltimore Do gentlemen MOI
see that would be for our interest to increase the
wealth and population of Eastern Virginia. IN order to
increase her ability to pay taxes contend tat the
rich man is better able 10 pay than the poor
all that has been said to the contrary
upon this floor say the rich man who pays his thou.
sand dollars is better able to pay it than the man
who paws dollar because the one pays from profits
of his capital the other by labor II the East have the
largest amount of wealth she 10 able to pay the largest
amount of taxes and if to have power to give
direction to the internal Improvements of the State and
were SO construct them az to carry the trade an
travel Of the west to the city of Baltimore and deprive
he city of Richmond and other eastern cities Of it,
would be deprivDg you of proportionate amount OF
wealth and the consequence void be, We should in.
crease the taxes of the country instead of the cities
beg to say word two more in this connection You
ali admit that in the course of time, with your
mixed basis the power of the State must pass to tn.
West and in this admission you clearly indicate tn,
course of policy proper for US to pursue 1t is pre-
ent the increase of your wealth and population as al
"a possible and thus enable by the natural ncreas,
OF ours which increases so much faster than in the cas-,
10 obtain the political power OF the State.
But have dwelt upon this topic longer than in.
tended 1t was for the especial benefit Of my fren
from Fauquer (Mr Scorrl that rose upon this occa-
.on And / want to call the attention Of the commit
ee particularly to the position occupied BY that gentle
man He says, my proposition ought TO be receive b,
he peope as an suit and why Because have said
will vote for that branch Of his proposition restricting
the cite if the mixed basis be adopted while canno
vote for restricting the cities if the suffrage basis b,
adopted. Now, what is his proposition is that NJ
city shall exceed number of delegates; and thai
the surplus to which such city shall be entitled shall b,
apportioned in the section Of the State where that cit
NAV be located. He came forward on Saturday ant
told the people of this city and of this section of tn,
,tate-"I do propose to restrict the cities
II do not propose to distribute any surplus amongs
he country for the present, but propose that my lin,
;tation shall operate in the future Well what doe
that amount tol Why, it is simply saying" Come up
;ou gentlemen from the CITY, shoulder to shoulder,
net us present united front in favor Of the mixed basis
am opposed 10 carrying out your principle but vi
not interfere with it now The city of Richmond is
titled to i've delegates and will give them to you
But to those gentlemen of the country who do not k
this mixed basis quite WELL because it gives the cite
too much power, he says.-"come up and help US CONF
of loproilipg- @help us roll the logs and will hereaf
ter, cbeckmate these tiles will distribute to you ii
the country that to which the cities justly entitled
That is his proposition that is the proposition whicl
the gentemsn speaks OF as perfectly proper, and a
havips nothing degrading or insulting in it. But sir
when I made the remarks which did on Saturday,
supposed that the delegates from the cities would Sc
ne right if said ANYTHING worthy of reply referred
particularly TO the gentleman from Richmond, CIR
srAsAnD) and supposed that he or some of the othe
delegates rom The city of Richmond, any one o
whom wer. fully capable for the task, would, j
said ANYTHING which needed reply, promptly
come to tie defence of their constituents, but tt
my utter surprise, the gentleman from Fauquier (Mr
Sco1r) hoped upon the aoo,, and Undertook thu
guardianship of the city of Richmond She has 81,
delegates Upon the floor charged with the protect,
her interests but my friend from Fauquier-I will
call him Lord Lieutenant" my friend from Acco
mac mir wlsE) did-but my friend from Fauquior who
is the Aar of the mixed basis steps forward as the
peculiar guardian Of the city of Richmond HI
talked about my born zeal for this city, but il
struck me at the time that if there any born
zeal it was with the gentleman from Fauquer and not
with me- remembered that at the last session Of the
general assembly, when the delegate from the city of
Richmond dared t, get upon the floor OF the house
delegates to oppose certain Manasss Gap raroac
because it was not for the interest Of the city of Rich
mond the gentleman from Fauquier with that imperous
which distinguishes him on all occasions rose in