Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-09

manufacturers e;tablished-her agriculture developed
md improved look forward to see the day when
railroads and canals will intersec every district ana
unirersa wealth like mighty river roll its tide from
ono extremity OF this proud commonwealth TO the 9th
err | represent district upon this floor, the agricu-
ura capacities of which, though till recently no; prop
ery appreciated, arc surpassed by but few portions Of
;ic State. represent county al least, that feels a
peculiar interest upon the subject OF public education,
very small county, that in addition TO lis usual conr;-
buttons to the pubic treasury, and county levy, gives
some So 900 annually for the purpose of public cduca-
,ion that has given within the last two years some S2j,-
OD9 or more for the purpose Of internal Improvements
in which that people directly interested But that
is not the question: The question l., whether they not
ony shall contribute their funds TO educate their people
and to build up schemes Of internal improvements in
which they directly interested, but whether por
ton OF the State. the east, contributing twohirls OF
Il taxes, and requiring lesser portion of the appro
prations shall give up the power Of imposing the bar
ens and the power of making the appropriations and
when heard the gentleman from NSthc (Alr. FLOYD
yet up here and talk about home and all its endcarmc
so ei0qucn.y, and upon another occasion have hca I'd
him describe era phicay that rich and beautiful com
try which he represents, thought 10 myself that ii
had home in that part OF the State with the hard
acous Of others to construct roads and their conlr
buttons 10 educate my Children that 1t would he an Ely
stun indeed But, the argument OF my friend from
Rockbridsc (Air MooREl is answered from another
source-whcn the gentleman from the county OF Wood
Mr.. VAS WISEIE) comes 10 address the committee
what did he tell Us: Did lac sustain the view OF the
gentleman from l}ockbrdgc: Does he say that his por
ton of the Stale was provided for, aal that he wants
no appropriations for the purpose Of internal improve
mens He does not say exactly that he is opposed t.
all guarantees, because believe he tells us that he
wants protection But the protection that ne wants, is
10 have roads constructed to his county to protect his
people against the competition Of the citizens OF neigh
boring States who have good roads leading 10 market
But that is not all Next comes the gentleman from .o
gan, (Alr FERGrsoS) and we told from that quar-
ter that internal Improvements needed there; and
We informed further, by the same gentleman that
whatever basis of representation may be agreed upon
by this Convention, that whether you establish the mix
ell basis In" suffrage basis there at least great
scheme of internal improvement, viz the Central
Road, which ~ to be prosecuted TO the Ohio river and
SIR, he might have added with equal proprety, that the
Manassas Gap road is to be pushed far up into the val
ley, and that the Southwestern road is to be extended
to the Tennessee iinc and that heavy appropriations
will he required TO make various lateral roads leading
TO these general lines Of improvement. Gentlemen
have during this debate entertained us often and clo
qucntly upon the subject Of justice, equity and cquai
ty. Now, submit 10 those gentlemen, in spirit OF
Kindness and fairness, if you need these great schemes
OF internal improvcmens-as You here admit you do
to develop your great and growing country, common
country, in which all have and feel 4 common inter
est and when you know the east will have to contrib
ute t"otlird more of the means necessary 10
struct thcm-Is il fair, is il just equitable, thai
should have voice in saving Il, least, when and how
y II.
Chairman, having noticed some of the objections urged
BY western gentlemen To the mixed basis Of representa-
ton, Notice vcrr briefly, of the views
tanned by gentlemen from the East, who support this
suffrage basis oil representation.
was rather more familiar with the eastern argt-
mcnts before | came here than was with western
guments. As said before, an argument has been made
before this committee BY western gentlemen in obcc-
ton to this mixed basis in spirit Of honesty and frank
ness, and have doubt but that they believed itlha
degraded the constituency that they represent upon
this floor ] regret do not The distinguished gen
t!eman from Accomac, Mr.. WrsE,) in his scat, and
learn he is absent from the city. for he has told
more than occasion thai il question between
the east and the west, contest between the Gierc
sections for power, for political power, that II
degradation OF the poor man III the west when contrast
ed with the poor in the cast, but it was in fact
degradation of the poor man lii comparison with the
Of wealth and capitol Of the country. il was not
contest OF sections but contest OF classes and we hear
the cry raised that the poor man Of the country was de-
graded By this principle Of the mixed basis. need
scarcely that if such the fact that il would not
receive support. do believe that il w..h lind
much favor this floor. have listened acnli,ciy 10
this argument, and should like to know, am, would he
pleased for gentlemen TO inform Inc, if il degrade the
poor man in the west as compared with the poo" il
the east, how it al the same time could degraic the
poor in the east when compared with the rich man
in the east and should be pleased to hear from some
gentleman east west how any is degraded by the
neither does the the other and hence the
of both propositions. But have heard on than
occasion, appeal made 10 the feelings Of the
classes that compose this community. ! have heard
gentlemen talk about The manner in which the arislo-
cratic stakeholder lords his poor nelghbor Now
that all sounded vr:y irc !, but have been wholly
able myself to is application to the subject before
us. am very much interested in this question of
slavery, either TIE one way or the other. live, how
ever, among a community who arc. have been Told
th,t IiStr riri,,,r
perhaps thousand shareholders. and four thousand
more non-slayc!Iolders. That is true. lre in
ncighborhood where there are shareholders and non
Shareholders. ] was born and reared in community of
that sort Inv intercourse has been among community
OF that kind, among gentlemen who very large slave
holders in the State Of Virginia. haze been 10 their
houses, and know 10 great extent their personal re-
latos, and venture TO say, without the fear Of error,
that there is not community in the civilized universe
where men Of all classes who respectable
upon equality than they in eastern Virginia, in
all respects and in all particulars
Now, this basis Of the white population and taxation
combined does not give the power to the wealthy men,
but diifIscs it through the whole community: and if
there were not slave in the State, and the inc
quality Of taxation existed does now, would give
my support. Did il not to gentlemen who make
such arguments have just referred to. that they
suspectng the very people whom who advocate the
mixed basis, are willing to trust; rs | have said this
principle G:cs the power the people Of all classes
equally, and although other gentlemen may say tina. it
affords no protection 10 property because il does not
give the po"er 10 the property holder yet for say
that am Willing; to trust MY neighborS though they
not Shareholders Nay more, if there be any difference,
the man OF small property needs the protecting in
iucncc of government from excessive and hlrhclsomc
taxation than does tho large saveodcr for those
arc always the most oppressive which paid by the
man of small income. And gentlemen commit sad
mistake when they suppose that il is the large slave
holder only who feels interest in the success Of the
mixed basis 1t is the middle classes and the men Of
industry and economy, who do not wish the unjust
actions of an oppressive government to extort from them
their hard earnings.
But am depressing further than intended. | come
now very briefly to notice another view of this subject,
relied on TO some extent by different gentlemen who
have addressed this committee ard particularly by my
friend from tho county of Bcrkcly, (N1r FAuLENEn.)
He wanted 10 Know how long This mixed has.s wa4 10
be pressed upon us, when from the history of the
try and the signs of the times it was easy that it
was giving way III all parts Of the State of Virginia
Now, when heard that declaration was a little curl
to look into history Of the matter. and to how
far il Gazing in the State of Virginia | referred
to the discussions of the last Convention and the state
Of facts in that Convention to how the matter there
stood. found by reference 10 the vote upon the sub
icci Of the basis of representation in that distinguished
body, that from the district cf Iodoun and Fairfax
there wCic four white basis delegates from the Abe
Al