Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-06-23
LoUDoUN MEMORIAL
T. III. Senator, and Delegates Of Vir-
e,nis. in General assembly conUened:

Tile Z - - 80
freeaolders Of the county OF LouIoun,
respectfully represents, That, while
vour memorialists are impressed with
rratltude. TO the authors OF their pre-
sent constitution o. state government,
they are impslled, by a sense OF duty 10
themselves and their posterity, as We'll
a. a sacred regard Tor justice. TO invite
your most serious attention to some of
tbe defects Of that constitution, and your
aid towards its aiseadment.
1t 10 no impeachment Of the virtue or
wisdom Gifts patriotic founders, that a
constitution OF government, framed Ia
haste. amidst the heat Of intestine war,
TIE very first, in point of time, to which
tue American revolution gave birth,
should prove defective, after a lapse OF
forty-eight years.
Hall a century ago, the science of re-
preventative government was In its in
fancy. The boundaries OK the great
divisions of political power, Legislative,
Executive, and Judicial, were impef-
fecti, defined. That constitution of
each which would best promote their
Harmonious corporation fol the public
good, the only legitimate end of all go
y~erng.ents, was a matter of speculative
inquiry, rather than OF practical deduc-
ton.
An imperfect example of representa-
tive government had, indeed, long exis-
ted. OH the other side OF the Atlantic;
and as was natural, if not unavoidable,
at the time, with some of its good, not
a few of its bad qualities remained en-.
grated Upon the constitution OF the new
commonwealth.
The actual separation and relative
Independence Vi the Legislative, judi
ciAl, aud Executive Departments, priu-
cipies, deemed even then, essential to
political liberty, were not only imper-
fectly maintained in the new consiltu-
ton, but often dsregarded. The basi,
of al! representation, the elective fran
chise, was so loosely established, a. to
be practically submitted 10 the ordina-
ry legislature, with the uncontrolled
power Of prescribing, by law, the qua
l~iications Of their own members, and
t,e number competent 10 constitute a
quorum.
Ia allowing an equal representation
10 the House OF Delegates to coua'ies
and boroughs of most unequal extent
of territory, wealth, and population,
the settled MAXIM of all free political
communities. that the majority shall 60
vern, was, IN fact, subyerted, Is was
also the principle ofthe revolution i%tself,
that taxation and Representations shall
be the measures Of each other.
In limiting the numbers OF the Senate
TO twenty-four members, and leaving
tho House of Delegates to be sugmen-
ted, from time to time, by the subdlvi-
sion Of counties, and the erection of
nsw boroughs, the just equilibrium be-
tween the two branches OF the LegIsla-
ture was exposed to gradual, though
certain arrangement, if not to ultimate
destruction.
An unfounded Jealousy denied to the
Senate not only the poser OF amending
q money bill, but that of originating any
measure, however Insignificant, and
while it greatly retarded the business OF
both branches Of the Legislature, con-
signed one TO absolute iDaction for We
~ near half of every annual session of
the General Assembly.
By resting the right OF suffrage on
the possession Of a freehold estate in a
Discriminate, quantity of land, without
regard to the actu al duration ar value
of the estate in a determinate guam
tity of land, witho ut regard to the ac-
fu.al duration or value OF the estate
: itself, tho constitution stood con-
demned by the bill of rights prefixed to
Il, which assured to every man, other
wise qualified, the privilege of voting,
who could furnish sufficient evidence of
opermauent common interest with, and
attachment to, the community" Un-
less, indeed, i, be c0ntended, that a
term of ninety-nine, or of a thousand
years, is worth less than an estate for a
single life; or twenty-four acres of the
best improved land, than FIVE and twen-
~ of the most barren.
All judicial power had been taken
from the General Assembly very near
a%century before, and the new constitu-
ton Invested the Governor aud Royal
Council Of all Legislative power. But,
an retaining that council, when no lon
4. ger necessary, and subjecting the Co.
yernorto their absolute controle, it char
ged an useless burtlen upon the Trea
sury, while it impaired the responsible
ty, By destroying the unit o fthe Exc
cutiye.