The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-04-20

they were elected. As to the first, he was
not satisfied with the principle of suffrage.
lie was not an advocate of universal SUI
frage but was it not hardship, that your
principal merchants, who were permanent
liz settled in the commonwealth with their
families and their property, should be de-
MED the privilege of ayote, when man
for trifr, for mere song, can exercise
freehold vote z For his own part he was
disposed To extend the right of suffrage
within certain boundaries lie objected IN
the next place to ratio Of representation
in the counties. Every county had lis two
delegates, no matter what lis size wha-
ther il was a pigmy like Warwick. or
giant like L0udoun. This inequality was
contrary TO the principles laid down IN the
Bill of Rights. The representation ought
to be regulated by the free pbpuallop,
unless indeed setook IN the 5ths Of the
slaves, accordins-fo The federal arrange
ment: Yet any modification was better
than the present system. As tothe leSls-
2 Iative body itself, he contended that it was
too numernpss Iii its numbers were reda-
ced from eD0to 100, the people would take
care to sendnopre discreet antfdeliberailse
men the business would not he hurried
over, and much of il reserved I'LL the
close of the session the laws might be
more Bisey framed, and the expenses of
the government would be considerably re-
duced.
Mr.. NJ. proceeded to analyze the erecutive
department. He could not conceive the
necessity of an executive council. Why
not trust the governor with the exercise Of
the powers now vested in that departments
Ii he wanted counsel, why should he not
take advice of the auditor in questions OF
finance and of the attorney general IN q'ies-
tons of law ? SC. There would then be
more responsibility in the departmrnt.--
One councillor could net then say was
not present when such measure WAS "a
depted," nor another plead the same ex-
cuse. The tenure by which they hold
their Office is also liable to exception.--
Though two of the members are Subjected
to a scratch every third year. yet Il in
the mean time they should neglect OF
violate their duties, how are they to be re-
moved:
Mr. NJ. objected to hejadiciary depart
ment, that it was excessively complicated.
We have courts, tier above tier, from the
county to the chancery courts, 4 thence up
to the court of appeals. Justice IS not SO
speedily administered as it ought 10 be-
Forh own part, he would abulish the
chancery courts, and do away the distinc-
ton between courts of law, and courts Of
equity. The common law courts, when
vested with chancery powers, might invent
new processes for expediting the admms-
tration of Justice. They employ the trial
of jury, SO deservedly heldin reverence by
all. Yet it was strange, that the Trainers of
the constitution, though they had declared
in the Bill of Rights, that " the antient trial
by jury is preferable to any other, aud
ought to be held sacred" yet they had
gone Oh 10 establish chancery courts which
dispensed with this Invaluable privilege
These courts are dilatery ia the last degree.
He was disposed to give to the common
lawcourts the chancery power, where we
might freely enjoy the benefit of uaUd roce
testimony and jury trial.
Mr. NJ. said that these defects were snili
Client to point out the necessity of amend
ment. Some gentlemen may indeed say,
that it was better " to bear the ills we have
than ly to others we know not Of" BIT
he was not afraid 10 trust the peoples
Some of our wisest patriots, some of the
men Of '76, would he found in the consen-
ton. Let it not be said, that we are unfit
to he trusted as our fathers were that the
love of money and the love Of ease have
corrupted US. However strongly this ex-
ception may apply To certain individuals,
yet the mass of the people were still pure.
1t is too late in the day to revive the cx-
ploded doctrine, that the people were their
own worst enemies, ThisTanguagr. is bet
ter suited TO the Holy Alliance OF Europe,
than the meridian of America. The peo-
pie have a right to choose for themselves
Our bill of Rights recommended ga FIRE.
quent recurrence tafundamental principles
aud for his own part, he was willing to re-
cur to first principles. He concluded by
moving the following resolutions
Restored, As the opinion of thsmeeting
that a convention ought immediately TO be
called by the people, for the purpose of. "a
amending the constitution of this state.
ReSotutd, That a committee be appoin-
ted to report to meeting hereafter 10 he
convened, the best practicable means of
promoting the views OF this meeting
Mr.. p. N. Nicholas rose in opposition TO
the resolutions. He conlended that Mr..
Muniotd contemplated the subversion of