Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-11

~ OF all the treehoders voting on the subject, are
IN favour OF calling convention, the executive
shall forthwith issue writs for the election. and
otherwise provide for the assembling and accommo-
dalton OF such convention, in the ofthe en-
SUNG summer or autumn. The convention to
have power to devise and frame amendments to the
existing constitution, which amendments, however,
shall not be considered as forming part Of our
fundamental law until they shall have been approx
ed and adopted bya decisive msjority of the free
holders voting on the question.
IL. That be Committee to
prepare form OF a memorial from the people to
the general assembly, the same subject; and
that the said commtte report the best mode of
circulating printed copies OF the same throughout
the state. for the signatures Of the friends of REFORM
| BY nm: THOMPSON, OF FAIRFAx.
To the Honour able the General Assembly of rpia
The Undersigned, deputies of the friends of
| Constitutional Reform, to the Slaun,on Conven-
| ton, respectfully represent, That, whereas. from
various quarters Of the State, and frequently, for
many years past, sediments dissatisfaction with
The present Constitution of the State, expressed by
| the peopl" TO the Legislature, with a view to its
amendment, having been either disregarded, or
evaded, resisted, by that body-and their re-
Jecton especially at their last session. OF bill pro-
| ivding only for the ascertainm ent of the will of
those entitled, AT present, to the right OF suffrage
upon the prOpriety of calling Conv en,on, for
bidding ali further hope or expectation that they
stronger manifestation than has here ofore existed
OF the wishes OF the people that effect take any
step conducive to the ultimate call off Convention
whilst the Constitution, formed hastily ard, i'm
perfectly at first, and become worse by change of
circumstances in lapse of time, imperiousy reauir-
Ing amendment, II has become the duty of the friends
OF Convention, by the employment Of such lawful
means as might be in their power 10 demonstrates as
nearly as possible, their relative proportion to the
!, whole people of the state, and their consequent
claim to the attention of the General Assembly,
To do this, in the first instance, Deputies chosen
by the friends oil reierm IRON Counties,
have assembled at Staunton, and subscribed this
Memorial TO your honorable body.
We do not insist that we represent the sentiments
{ OF majority OF the people of what precise
proportion of them; nor ought that to be required
by those who have withholdcn, If not the only al
least the most practicable mode of ascertainng that
proportion. To ascertain this, is the first step W
propose 10 be taken by your honorable body. To
do which it will he sufficient inducement with you
trust, that large portion of the good people oil
the commonwealth are dissatisfied; and our meeting
and memorial; alone sufficient evidence OF tina, IA
As little do we deem it necessary or proper to
our present purpose TO detail the numerous defects
/, of present Constitution. The reformation @,
that instrument must be the work OF those to whom
may be assigned; and It's validity. the effect only
OF the sanction OF the people, in their high sovereign
capacity. Yet, the equalization of the representa-
on and the extension of the right of suffrage 10
all who have 6 sufficient evidence of permanent
common interest with, and attachment 10 the COM
munity," from many of whom il is 10 this day with
holden, defects contradictory all the priD-
ciples upon which republican government should
be founded, that cannot forbear to urge them
upon your attention.
The object of our deputation to this COW eution
Is, to evnce to your honorable body that the dis
satisfaction with the existing Constitution is sufii-
intap fltfa ala
this memorial, TO pray your aid to the complete
development of the sentiments OF the people upon
, the proprlety of calling convention 10 alter and
amend the defects of the constitution submitting TO
the people the final ratification rejection Of those
amendments; and that 10 this end YOU will pass a
law providing for the entertainment of the will OIL
the people en- that question aud the return thereof
: TO the following General Assembly; not doubling
but that WILL viii be found be durable to the
call of Convention, and that the Legislature will
promptly proceed to efectuate that VIII by every
Unnecessary legal enactment-and your petitioners
Il will ever pray, &c
BY Err. SCOTT, OF .FAUQUIER.
: RESOLVED, That the committee 10 whom
were referred the resolutions and memorials this
day offered, be Instructed, ii they shall deem il
expedient, TO prepare and report address the
people, explaining and enforcing the views and OBJ
jects of this convention, and petition be recon-
mended to the people, for their signatures praying
.
the sense of the people the Ques of assembling
COW ention.
The Convention then resolved itself into Com
mittee of the whole, Mr.. Thompson of Fairfax, in
The chair, on the report made, in part by the select
: committee, yesterday and after time spent
therein the Committee rose, und reported the res
olutions to them referred, with sundry amendments
The Committee appointed 10 enquire into and
report measures for defraying the expences of this
onvention, made report, which report, on the
motion of Mr.. Pstteson, was laid upon the table.
FRrDAY july 90, 1925.
The Convention proceeded to the consideration
OF the resolutions and amendments reported by the
committee Of the whole Yesterday
When Mr.. Scott, Of Richmond, moved 10
amend the amendment proposed b. the committee,
by striking out the first member OF the I'd resolution
and inserting in lieu thereof the folio wing, wit
: l. That the unequal representation Of the peo-
pie Of Virginia in the House OF Delegates is so
gross violation Of the fundamental principles on
which our free institutions rest of ITSELF 10 JUS
hfy and demand revision of the Constitution.
: Which amendment, upon the question being ia
ken, was adopted.
Mr.. Giimer moved to strike out the Sd member
OF the I'd resolution amended by the committee,
and to substitute in the place thereofth. following
That the right OF suffrage should be extended to
all free white male citizens of Virginia above the
age of twenty years, who furnish sufficient
4 evidence OF permanent common interest with, an
attachment 10 the community; which amendment
/ Mr. Doddrige moved TO amend by adding thereto
the words q" whether freehoders or not" which
was agreed TO by the Cow ention, ayes Sc, noes IL
/ Ayes Mesr' Mccoy iPresd Bsycy, Tn. r. Joyne,,
It's John Il. Joybcs, T. Nj. Randolph, Carter Amherst L. r.
Thompson, Duncan Penn TsPP Patleson, Williams OF Bath
Richards nf Bath, Doddrdge Campbell Mcsflen, Hunter
Of Fairfax Chichester Scot, Of Fauquer forner skinkep
Cooke, SeStob Barton Nath Barse Page, Hackney, Ship