Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-06-03

70 embly of Virginia. As the several sub
jects embraced therein. are Of the create st i'm.
porsance 10 the interests and political hsepi-
ness Of the people, printers throughout the
state are respectfully invited to give the me
msrial an insertion in their respective papers
And every member of our republic whose OPP.
inion shall &C cord with the sentiments expires.
sed on the subjects to which the Attentions Of
tae legislature win be called, are requested to
give the most extensive circulation 10 Il i me.
mortal. sod procure as full an expression of the
public opinion as practicable. The pubiica-
ten Of this paper is intended TO be followed by
some general reflections. (in pcriotscsl num-A
be's) by way Of illustrating the great objects
sought TO be attained by this memorial.
THos JONES.
70 tie honorable he Legislature of Tr-
giaia.
The memorial and remonstrance Of
the undersigned citizens of the county
eft respectfully represent !:
That the present times Of difficulty
and distress have not had their parallel
in the history of our republic. AT no
former period since the foundation of
our government, have we found it SO
extremely difficult to raise money to
pay our taxes, and to supply ourselves
with the necessary means ola comfor-
table subsistence. The depressed state
of the price of all articles of the natu-
raj production of our soil is doubtless
the real cause OF this direful distress.
Thus situated, it is natural for your me-
morialists to look 10 their Legislature,
and ask them, in their wisdom and pfu-
dence, to endeavor 10 devise some sys-
tenn of retrenchment in tue expenses
of the civil administration Of the gov
ernment; and, il consistent with vision
and sound policy, to find some reasuaa-
Bile and safe expedient for increasing d
circulating medium, which may give al
least temporary relief TO our suffer
ings.
Your memorialists most respectfully
suggest to the. candid consideration Of
your honorable body, whether itvouid.
not be wise, and manifest much d;sinter-
ested patriotism and liberality, to COM
inence retrenohment Of the expendi-
ture of cur money, by reducing your
own.daiiy pay, ard other expenses Of
your sessions, to less sum than you at
presen. receive. We honestly con-
ceive that three dollars per day, in The
present times Of embarrassment, might
be reasonable compensation FOR your
services. We also believe il would be
REASONABLE, that this reduction should
commence with your present session
Your memorialists will also call the
attention of your honorable body, to
another subject Of great and vital impot-
lance to the well-being Of the stare. 1t
is presumable we have nothing to hal
Yard in expressing the opinion, that the
crisis hos arr;red, which renders it, all
important to the peace and safety Of our
republic, that your honorable body
should make Immediate provision for
calling convention for the purpose of
revising and amending the constitution
Of our state. q
The defects IN our present system
are so self-evident, so clearly seen by
every individual Of common un)erstan- \
ding, that your memorialists will not in
suit the good sense OF your honorable
body, by attempting to detail the nume-
rous and unanswerable argument, winch
might be urged on this question. They
will content themselves with stating a
few Of the most prominent grievan-
ces experienced and which loudly call
for the timely interposition of the legal
authorities Of the government
lst. The great necessity Of equalisfns
the representation, and reducing the
number of representatives..
Cd. Extending the right Of suffrage
81. The reformation of our judicial
system.
4th. The reformation Of the executive
branch of the government.
There are doubtless other subjects Of
minor importance in our state system
which may be improved; but, the Sc :
veral items particularly cited, imper-
iously demand. in the opinion of your
memorialists the most speedy and eff
fectual remedy. Without further COM
ment, we invite the serious attention of
the legislature to these great and inter-
esting subjects.
Puff Lsgal-The Lords Eldon and
Stowel-aLike the twin stars which IL
.Iumine the vaults of heaven. thesa bro-