Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-08-02
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TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 2, 1926.
sTAUNToN CONVENTION.


the public mind hasten 10 spread before readers
the substance of the intelligence contained in the pa
pers and private communications received from Saun-
ton
On MONDAY, the 25th inst. at - o'clock, the Dele.
gates appointed by the Friends of Reform in Acco-
mack, Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Bath Bedford,
Brooke, Berkeley, Campbell, Culpeper, Dinwiddie,
Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Hampshire, Hanover
Hardy, Jefferson, Lewis. Loudoun Lynchburg Monon-
gala, Nelson, Ohio, Patrick, PendIcton, Pocabontas
Preston, Prince William, Randolph, Richmond City,
Buckingham, Shenandoah, Spot,sy lyania Stafford,
and Tyler, assembled in CONVENTION, pursuant APP
pointment, in the New Presby eran Church in Staun-
ton
The Honorable WILLIAM McCoY, of Pendeton,
was elected President SAMUEL EDwARDs, Esq. of
Loudoun, Secretary, and Mr.. JoaN CLARKE of Angus
Ia Door Keeper.
The CONVENTION being thus organized, was, on mo-
ton, adjourned till Tuesday morning, 10 o'clock.
TUESDAY, J0LY Goth.
The Convention having met pursuant to adjournment
several of the Delegates from the Counties of Rock
ingham, Greenbrier, Shenandoah, and Randolph, who
were absent the day before, appeared and took their
'seats
following
Resolutions which was adopted was offered as substi-
tute for sundry Resolutions presented by Messrs. Ner
Ger, Doddridge, Chaplne, Lewis of Spottsylvania
Cooke, Thompson of Fairfax, Perrow and Scott of
Fauquer expressive of the opinions which thew re.
spectvey entertained in relation to the object of the
meeting.
Resotced, That Committee of one Member from
each Delegation be appointed to enquire and report
what measures, in their opinion it is proper and expedi
ent Tor this Meeting to adopt for the attainment of the
object for which il is assembled.
And the following gentlemen were appointed the
Committee
NleSsrs Lewis Mercer, Doddridge, Chapline, Lewis
of Spottsylvana, Cook, Thompson of Fairfax Perrow,
Randolph, Joynes, Thompson of Amherst, Patteson,
Williams, MINIS, Hunter, Turner Field, Scott, Arm
STRONG, StarIke Green, Jackson, Morgan, Maxwell.
Pollard, Morgan of Monongaa, Staples, Jones, Cack
icy, Sigler, Gibson, Lee, Scott of Richmond Ruther-
ford of Rockingham Lowell, Waller, Hickman, and
Caldwell.
The various Resolutions, above alluded to- were, on
motion, referred To this Committee.
And the Convention djourned till 10 o'clock, We'd
nesday morning.
WEDNESDAY, July 27rH.
The Convention met pursuant TO adjournment but as
the Committee had not yet prepared its Report it was
adjourned till o'clock, p. M. at which hour the Com
mee presented Report, which was ordered by the
House to be taken up in Committee of the Whole,
the next day.
REPORT.
RESOLVED, as the opinion of this Assembly, that the
present defects of the Constitution this Common
wealth should be supplied by a Convention empowered
to frame and 10 submit the Judgment of the people
such amendments thereof as to the Convention NAV
seem just and expedient: All, any of which amend
meats, if approved by majority of the people, shall
become part of the Constitution.
Resolved That while this assembly does not presume
10 prescribe the objects to which the attention of such
aConvenlion should be directed, it is of opinion,-
FIRST, That the members Of the House of Delegates
should be reduced and limited in NUMBER and at stated
periods as the growth decension the population OF
the Commonwealth may require, apportioned among
the several counties and corporate entitled to repre-
sentatloD, as equally may be found practicable with
reference 10 the number of their respective free white
inhabitants.
Secondly, That the Council of State should be abol-
ished and the Executive department otherwise reform
ed SO as to increase its efficiency and lis responsibility
Thirdly That the right of suffrage should be extend
ed To all tree white, male citizens above 81 years of age
whether ireeholders not, who are capable of FUR
NIsHING SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF PERMANENT COM
MoN INTEREST WITH, AND ATTACHMENT TO THE
COMMUNITY, in such manner as to guard against the
introduction of universal suffrage
Fourthiy, That some safe and practical provision
should be made for such farther amendments of the
Constitution, as experience may hereafter demonstrate
to be Just aud necessary.
And be 1t farther resolved that although this As
sembIy cannot be required TO discaim an intention
which 1t does not avow, yet il does not hesitate TO de-
clare its dsaPprobaou of any change of the Consttu
ton which shall bavca tendency TO impair the Indepen-
dence Of the Judiciary.
For the attainment Of the object of the preceding
resolutions, BE it resolved, that a respectful Memorial
he presented By THIS Assembly to the Senate and House
of Delegates of Virginia, requesting that provision be
made by law for taking the Of the people at the
next Spring Elections the question: whether there
shall be Convention, not. And that memorial to
the Legislature praying the enactment of law for
certaning The sense of the People Of this Common
wealth on the ProPriety of calling Convention for the
amendment of our State Constitutions be prepared and
circulated throughout this Commonwealth, for obtain
Ing the signatures oftbe Citizens thereto.
And be it farther Resolved That Standing Com
mtee be appointed TO superntend the publication and
distribution Of the said Memorial, with authority to
communicate from time to time with the several cor
responding Convention committees which have been,
or may be appointed, by the respective Counties and
fions of tho Cf,tu