Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-23
REPRESENTATION OF RICHMOND.

MIR. Bolts, in supporting his Compromise plan
urged with great strenuousness. in the second di
VISION oil his speech, thai 1t was peculiarly the in
terest of the city of Richmond TO sustain it,
Throughout his argument, he commended, that the
mixed basis was wrong in principle, because, ir
ms view, 1t gives power to property, and thus
benefits the rich at The expense of the poor and
he appealed 10 his constituents, especially that
portion OF them who are not property holders, to
sustain him in this sentiment We propose to
apply very plain test TO the soundness of this
reasoning as addressed to the citizens of Rich
mond, and especially its non-properly- holders
1t distinction must be made between them and
the rest OF the community.
There are now iour plans before the Conyen-
ton for the adjustment of representation, viz
lst Proposition A, or the report of the Eastern
moety of the basis committee, which makes an
actual apportionment, allowing 10 the East ma
jority of fourteen, in House of Delegates of so
members and provides that,
"The General Assembly after the year 1862. and at
Intervals thereafter OF noess Than ten years. shall re-
apporion the representation OF the Counties cities and
Town OF IBIS Commonwealth, in both legislative bodies
ana Tie amount OF all taxes raised bv the legislature
paid III each deGuctng therefrom all taxes paid on IL
censes and law process. In making such reapporon
ment there shall be allowed one delegate for every
seVenty-hiih part OF said inhabitants al one delegate
for every part of said taxes and the sena
Tors shall be distributed in like manner"
I'd. Proposition b, or the report of the Western
molety OF the basis committee, which makes an
apporionment (uPon the basis of white popuation)
allowngto the West a majority of II delegates in
a House of l56; and provides that, in 1885, and
every ten years thereafter, an enumeration Of
all the qualified rioters shall be made, and represen
faton in the Senate and House apporlioned accor
DINGHY by the Legislature at it sessions next after
the enumerations:
Sd. The substitute of Mr.. Scott, of Fauquer
winch makes no appropriation, but simply estab.
fishes general rule. providing that,
Representation in both legislative bodies shall he
hpportohed among the couales, cities, and towns
according TO the number of white inhabitants contained
anu Ine amount OF all taxes paid in each deducline
rom suen taxes all taxes paid license aud law pro-
cesses Ia making such apportonment there shall be
allowed one delegate for every Dart of said in.
hab'tanis, and one delegate or every part OF the
sad taxes and, ~ Ike there shall be allowed
one H9H"t"' iV' every part OF the same.
The substitute contained also this proyso
which Mr Scott has declared his intention 10 with
draw
provided That the representation of no city or Town
shall any lime exceed Delegates and Ssna"
tors tat the surplus fractions thereof whether or nom.
iaton OF boh combined, shall be esli,pa
led If assigning representation to the sections OF lie
stale IN which they are respectively situated
A. The Compromise plan of Mr.. Bolts, allow
ing an equal number Of Senators and Delegates on
each side of the Blue Ridre.
PROPOSITION a gives the city Of Richmond fou
delegates (and henrieo county one.)
Proposition b (or the white basis) gives "the
cl'y OF Richmond and county of fIenrico together
four delegates.