The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-24

JHE BASIS lgUJsTIoS.--f0 some timo past, the
only question before the Constitutional Convention
of Virginia. has been that Of representation the
basis Of the white population. !. will be remem-
bered that the business Of the convention was
thought nearly completed, when some difficulty
with regard to the representation in the State
Legislature II was then determined to adjourn
until the census returns completed, which
would aid in fixing upon the proper basis. The
returns were received; and upon tho assembling Of
the convention il WAS discovered that the Western
division of the State had the largest white popula
tion. This at once brought the East to the fact
that ifa white basis was adopted, the West wsuld
have the control of the Legislature; and as free
roll spirit is known to prevail to certain extent in
that section, the Eastern members determined to
hold on to the old basis, which would still give
them the power. For nearly three months the two
sections have been battling against each other for
the ascendaney Whole weeks spent in debate
without any prospect ofa conclusion being arrived st,
Hon. Henry A. Wise, though living in one Of tho
largest slave districts Of tho State joined the West
members ia favor of the white basis, and deli
vered a speech OF four days' length. One or two
fights have occurred the floor of the convention,
and several duels have been spoken of. Several
inca surcs Of compromise have been brought for
ward, all Of which tended to the compromising Of a
portion Of the slaves the whole tree negro popu-
laton. All of these failed; bat it seemed impossi-
bic TO come to vote direct upon the question, and
il ret until the goth Of April that vote was
had. On that day proposition to strike out the
white basis from the bill prevailed by vote Of
sixty five to ffty-six-Nr. Wise and three other
Eastern members voting with those Of the negative,
and Messrs. John y. Mason AMI John Nj. Bolts
voting with those of the Affirmative. Tn vote, 1t
would appear, settled the question that the State
shah not be represented in its councils upon a bass
Of the white populasion but il LEFT the question as
unsettled as before the vote was taksn. The aues-
tior VII now be, whether the State will be repre-
sentca upon basis ofthe whole population, or upon
the whole white and free black population.
NunbsIless propositions Of compromise have
since been made but without prospect of arriving
at any definite result. The question now before tho
convention i to divide the representation Of the Le
gisature equally between the Eastern and Western
divisions of the state, thereby giving to each a
check over the other. But with this proposition is
another, for the call Of another convention after The
taking of the census in 100, with the view to re-
aplor;ion The representation. This proposition
win, doubtless, destroy that which provides for the
equal distribution Of the representatives., as the
Western division II the State incrc ACES in population
ina greater ratio than the Eastern division, and
would consequently gain the a,cendancy in the
next convention, and have the subsequent control Of
the affairs Of the state. Tho conventions now just
about where it started, sld, from present indica-
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