Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-15


outrageous tyranny do not say that it would be done:
but Fave learned in this debate from eastern
friends that governments arc not 10 DC founded IN co
fdence and another, that power cannon De 100 dearly
purchased Might not this price be paid BY yourselves
The gentleman advised us the vest to pay the bur
then Of taxation as cheap consideration for the power
VIC seek.
the gentleman but he is certainly not stating the argu
ment which attempted 10 make to the committee with
fairness although have doubt that he BY no means
designs to misrepresent me. What said III reference
to that was, that since gentlemen IRON the "cst consi
cred the possession Of this power matter OF such
vital Importance necessary to their dignity and their
honor i seemed to that they would find no price TOO
high 10 give for it, Not tina: we of the east would On
the contrary said in the next breath, if you will pay
the taxes you may have the power. So far as are
concerned, we do not value it SO highly.
Mr.. SUMMERS. Very well, sir. He did not say
that he and his friends would make the purchase, but
he advised do it, and arguing the SUPPOSE
ton that the gentleman from Fauquer honorable
man. would not advise to do, what he would be un-
willing to do himself. Laughter. If he felt himself
authorized to furnish us any such advice, and 10 inform
how power might be attained, have thought myself
equally authorized 10 show how the eastern people NAV
retain power themselves, by paying the burden of tax
es / do not say that the gentleman and his friends
would the power which the mixed basis puts in
their hands.
| Mr.. SCOTT. The gentleman does not seem to see
the point of my remarks.
Mr.. SUMMERS. Well sir, it is possible do not
BAT is it not fair application of your remarks: None
can fail to perceive, that with this shifting basis, de-
pending upon annual tax bills, the wants of the State
and the retention Of power, those who WELD it, may
make what they choose oft.
Sir Of the cardinal objections to the whole scheme
is, that il puts it in the power of the governmental ma
orty and at the same time makes ii the interest of that
majority to rcpress the growth of the If this be
contest for power, as is alleged, will not those to whom
it is given by your plan Of representation, be stimulated
to retain by the of all the within their reach
Try the scheme by the favorte OF my friend from
Loudoun, (Mr JAHSEy How is secured against The
dangers Of NAL administration ~
Gentlemen that the growing west will soon
have the legislative power, even upon the plan which
they proposethcy foreell that in ten twelve years
the sccptrc will pass the mountains. With the same
breath they inform US that while they might be willing
to trust the present generation, they know not who is
come after have already shown what may be the
workings of the system, and that may never obtain
this power, whatever may be increase But suppose
it be true that few years will change the balance
even your principle. Is better to do what is
right now and thereby cement the affection, of your
western brethren, or retain power for mere powers
sake through few more years Of strife and discomfort;
and then let pass to them, angcrcd with recoectiols
past injustice and smarting with the sting of past i'll
nicons:
But this minority rule is sought TO be justified upon
the ground that it pcrpctratc wrong upon the
ority. 1t can impose no taxes which It's own mcnhcr
will equally feel Are there subjects of taxation
TO be found west Of the mountains which do not exist
this sdc My colleague (Mr, SMiru) stated the other
day that salt might be taxed He omitted to state how
ever, that the legislature in 1915, actually did impose
tax Of twelve and half cents per bushcl upon that rt
Gle. \ tax to that the quantity made at this
time in the county OF Kanawha alone, wond impose
larger than levied upon all the slaves in the Tide
waller district. What would forbid the taxing OF the
lime-kilns of the valley and the mineral springs:
Well, as to lands, at present they taxed much
on the hundred dollars Of value. But eastern gentle
men refuse to carry out the adj yalorcn SYSTEM per-
sonal property. How long may they choose to retain it
as to the lands Of the commonweath-what hnders the
taxing of land per without regard to its value
We have, west Of the Blue Ridge upwards of eight mil
lions of acres Of land, than there is east Of it,
Again, We have between ninety and hundred lno,!-
sand more white inhabitants west OF the mountains than
there is on the east side What forbis the raising, of
the needed revenue for the State by per capita tax
the white inhabitants alone:
The gentleman from Loudoun, (i1r. J.SSEr,) spoke
in raprous terms CT the expansive nature and Qualities
OF this mixed basis principle. That it rises and falls
with population and property. and was suited to all lae
and TO all circumstances. He introduced an l'rstra
of steam propeller, | did not understand how he
worked it, laLs htcr. but 7 recollect he first had il
whstng on the Richmond and Fredericksburg !:2i!-
road and the next moment he was in China with i.
Renewed laughter am very cf one ;n,. '.at
It wo;ild be easier for the maker OF the gentleman
propeller to construct 1t for rrn,. Giren rail-
road than it would be for the governmental :ajory
to aljlst and manage this mixed basis scheme with
ference to the exigenccs Of the occ2on. to retain
and pcrpetlale power in lis own hands
Sir. have been little surprised in the Of
this discussion, sundry ayowas political faith which
gentlemen have felt themselves called upon 10 make. !
profess to understand little Of democrats and de-
mocracy in the part OF the State, but confess
have been puzzled . recognize my old acquaintance
as manifested in Underwater and tn Piedmont. Laugh
ter. They to belong 10 another genus Rcnc.ed
laughter Tilc gentleman from Spot ylvana. DIR
CoSwAY) perhaps with view to give greater fore"
the argument with which he was favoring the COMMIT
tee, and which listened 10 with pleasure announced
that he democrat. He stated in vcry explicit
terms, that he believed in the capacit. ri man for SELF
government yet it is very o:ous that this confidence
is confined to the capacity of the minority. lie does
not becTc that the ma ority of the people II this
nonwcalth capable fgorcrnng themselves or that
they fit to be trusted 10 govern themselves, but that
the minority entirely capable not only Of governing
themselves, but 10 govern the majority too. Laughter
This is sort Of democracy to me. 1t is certainly
variety Of the genus differing widely from those with
which have heretofore been acquainted, and OF which
full blown specimen sits my left, in the person Of
my friend from Rockbrdse, (AIr. LE1cHER.) [Circa.
laughter think if gentlemen differ widely, pro-
Tossing to be of the same political faith, that it is time
they wcrs cndcavorng to agree upon new articles We
hare formerly heard great deal about democracy being
founded on the opinion of human equality. That il
principle having for its object the security OF the
ny against the domination ofthe few. We have heard
great deal about the "toilng millon,' and how The
legitimate end OF government, to prevent the
centration of power in the hands Of the strong and
| the mighty Recolccting this, I hav been surprised
at the Jealous efforts Of gentlemen, avowng them
selves to be democrats to aid in the construction of
government for Virginia the powers Of which are TO be
concentrated in the hands of minority aud that too be-
cane of the wealth and property of those composing that
minority. Henceiorward they should be called the 'smi-
nority democrats.
Thc advocacy Of the mixed basis has, so far proceed
ed upon the ground, exclusively that it necessary
protect eastern Virginia from excessive taxation, and
improper appropriation We have answered to this,
that the west is much interested in the proper cxer-
else of these powers, is the east In addition this
have offered to insert in the constitutions any and all
reasonable guarantees for the safety and quiet of orr
eastern brethren.
But has government no other functions than to levy
and appropriate money? Hitherto, gentlemen have
seemed to look upon the legislative department of the
government in no other light than as taxing LAYING
machine and the citizen having no other intcrcs!
than as tax payer.
But beg it 10 be remembered, that legislative ma
ority for purpose Legislative minority for every
other purpose. This department, by legislation moulds
and mpresses the character and destiny Of the State.
It, TO greater less extent regulates and prescrbcs
all rights Of persons and of property, of liberty and
Of life. The laws Of contract of marriage and divorce,
of desccnts and dis trbution, of wills, of actions and
remedies, Of trial and execution, together with all the
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