Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-02
RICHMOND ENQUIRE Z.
WEnSEsDAY MORNING, APRIL 80, go :.
------------ TuE CONVENTION.

| obou,s resolved that the vote shall DC t'"'' " ). h
:, % t,day upon the basis question Inc
ere, voted upon will be 10 strike out scheo"'o ~ :,
Ms. sic scheme This will probably succeed: anu
Inc VIM =, eohoduI !, rs amended by Mr. Scott OF
Fauouer containing the mixed basis sc'c'"''
| it;o :, reoord 10 the representation oi cues ana
| n rro This will probably be moved MI bolts COM
nromise and perhaps at subsequent Peiou . SUMMERS
nronosiion presented on Monday and pnoseo y us 10
day to leave the whole subject OF Inc OASIS u DC
vote of the people, whether iof inc " " " w ''e
hs The subject has becen fully deliberately and most
nblv discussed-and the members "i come 10 Inc vote
doubt not impressed with the solemny OF their acton and
with the important consequences which may How from IT,
w entertain strong hopes that system may be agreed
upon which shall equally protect the Interests and honor Of
both the East and the West By the development OF
Western resources and increased ntercommunicatons,
tbe people of the two sections will rapidly be assmi-
,ed md any system that may be fixed upon must bear
alike upon EACH We earnestly that whatever the
Convention NAV do on the basis the minority will like
virpnians that all idea OF of the
blessed old Commonwealth will be likc tale that is told"
Ou homes in this regard considerably BY the dcsu
torv but interesting debate Monday night, Immediately
after the conclusion of Mr. Wses great spcechin which
nrniseworhy emulation exhibited by Messrs Lyons,
Summers Guodc Of Fuuqucr and Anderson clear
the skirts Of each ccon respectively Of any threat of d.
vision of the The question of whe threw the first
stone" was discussed with animation but in fine spirit,
which augured WE'LL thought for the continued integrity
of Virginia. Much merment produced by the closing
humorous remark of Mr. Summers, in reply TO Mr. Lyons,
WIZ that if separation should take pace-a calamity dpre
Gated BY himself and the other speakers West having
the majority of white population would take the flag and the
name of Virginia and tina, the East should look out for
other name and another flag We hope always 10 this
subject treated in similar humorous STYLE Were seri-
ousy contemplated should regard the moment as dark
day for Virginia. the Union and the Of free nsu-
tons.
few DAYS since we repubshed extracts from pa
pers in Southwestern Virginia. indications of public sentl
nent there With the view we to-day give place 10
the following article from the Lynchburg Republican OF Mon
day. Jus. received A few weeks SINCE the Lynchburg Virgil
MAN and Charlottesville Jefersonnn expressed their
leaning TO "suitable compromise"
THE BA.s sisS NJ BoTfs's CoMpRoMlsE. :
Among Convention proceedings in another column WI
beifound the basis compromise of Mr. Bolts submitted BY
him on Monday last and supported in long speech OF two
days continuance. Tine substance of the compromise Isl
st That each grand division oil the State shall have equal
representation in both branches Of the Legislature
3D. That there shall be uniform rate OF aoVaioe TAXA
ton throughout the Commonwealth
3D. That every Legislature creating public debt shall at
the same time or at The session. provide for the pay
ment Of the same. by increasing taxation.
9TH. That bill appropriang sum OF money exceeding
all the members elected in both branches Of The Legislature
We carefully weighed the provisions OF This BILL and
do hesitate TO give the proposition our DECIDED
We have long believed that The question should be settled on
middle ground, well from considerations OF pocy as from
those Of necessity the part OF the East The white basis
in its fullest extent unqucsonaby the true Republican
basis and we hazard nothing saying that but for the pec
liar circumstances existing when the vote was taken lot
members to the Convention growing of the excited
aton OF the slavery question in national and State
Councils the friends OF that basis would nave obtained
controlling minority in the convention In every district IN
the East the question canvassed the white basis
men were elected But the question made an issue in
but few Districts because OF the considerations to which we
have just referred, and hence the East secured nominal
majority Tie question arises would be wise and
prudent the East exercise this nominal majority In re-
establishing the mixed basis in its fullest extent upon the
Western people, TO whom it is Objectionable We I'M
hesiangy think not and will proceed TO state the grounds
Of our belief
lst The Eastern majority in the convention is but nomi-
nal one We were told weeks since by an Eastern
member of the convention from adjoining district who
himself pledged the mixed basis that the question
be decided according to the views OF The neln-
bers of the convention unlrammeet by pledges ana IN
strucons the white basis would carry the day runphanlly
radical had been the change wrought in the minds oi
many Eastern members. We have heard another eastern
member saw that while he should faithfully redeem his pledge
for tho mixed bass yet 10 do So
would be the painful Of his life so Thoroughly con-
WINGED had he the discussion in the Convention The
spirit sentiments and wishes OF the Convention therefore,
with the West and against the East upon this question:
while the nominal majority only is adverse TO the iomer
I'd While the East has the nominal power In inc con'en-
ton carry Ahe mixed basis yet were she TO persist In cS-
crcsing the West would be thrice armed in second con-
before the peopest by her belief in the Intrinsic JUS
,ice Of her 2dy by her consciousness that she
had been defeated by arbitrary rule and against the real
sentiments of the convention She would never therefore,
submit to the mixed bass but would insist upon another
ton for members of the Legislature anc there can no DOUBT
that the West would the first election, obtain majority
in favor of submitting the question again 10 the people we
need scarcely say that the question again submitted to
the people, overwhelming majority OF white basis dele
gates would be elected 10 convention we are mol wrong
,I,,t ,En ed
aresh the people, the white basis advocates would carry
the hour.
3d. The Eas, is not contcndng for any principle for the
advocates of the mixed basis concedc mat a inca
involves principle butt only an arbitrary rule deem
ed necessary BY large party in the East to protect the Pc
cuar property Of their section from excessive taxation
All that the East CLAIMS and all that she has right to claim
lis ample guarantees from excessive taxation For her de-
egates therefore, TO insist upon the adoption OF an arbltra
rule for specific purpose merely because they have the
nominal to do and when equally secure guarantees
be devised would be mpoitic in themselves as il
would be unjust TO their Western brethren.
For these and various other considerations which Is not
necessary should be here formally urged we arc firmly OF
the opinion that duty less than policy requires that HE
East should consent the settlement OF The basis question
on middle ground. This middle ground we Think is most
satisfactorily presented in the proposition OF Mr. Bolts
Neither section should seek absolute power for the sake OF
power because that would involve issue wholly unwor-
thy of yirgnans The West contends for the white basis
upon the republican ground that numbers and not 'eeaa Is
the correct basis of representation rae East iaVos Tue
mixed basis from desire TO exercise wanon power
the majority but because she thinks IL necessary 10 The
protection her property from unjust legislation. The pro-
position of Mr.. Bouts, therefore, to give equa representation
each section while does fully meet the demand of
tho West certainly The objection and should be en-
tirey satisfactory the East In probable contingency
could the West oppccss the East there was any DISPOSE
ton danger of her doing So while the latter has equal
power Of defence with the power OF attack Besides, the
proposition of Mr. Bolts requires that there shall be unl-
form system Of at vaore taxation upon every description
and species Of property in the commonwealth real personal
and mixed except such may be specially exempted by
of thirds Of each branch of the legislature This
provision of ITSELF would be ample protection to the East
because places the power Of unequal and oppressive taxa
ton beyond the power of the Legislature by sanctoning
uniform ad valorem principle which would be obliged 10
operate equally in every section and upon every interest in
the State.
But the most agreeable feature in Mr. b. proposition is
that which makes II incumbent upon Legislature
ting public debt to create also the of paying it, by
increased axton. system Of og-roling-of legislative
robbey-for it deserves to be called BY no ndcr namems
grown up in the Legislature: which nothing but consilu-
tonal prohibition can remedy -and which, if such
dy be applied will assredly bankrupt the State
than FIVE years from this time Thelst Of internal improve
ment appropriations by the last Legislature published in the
las, Republican, shows what alarming and wastcl!
extent the system is carried In fact legislators seem
study nothing else but the most cectua means OF robhng
The treasury for petty local improvements The adoption
the above mentioned provision will have the check