Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-08-04

son, Morgan, Maxwell, Pollard, Nor
gan of Nlonongalia, Staples, Jones,
.Cackley, Sigler, Gibson, Lee, scott
of Richmond. Rutherfard. Lowell, Wal
Ter. Hickman and Caldwell.
The resolutions and other papers
which bad been read were then referred
10 this Committee.
Add the House adjourned until 10
o'clock tomorrow morning
In the recess, the select committee,
after much deliberation appointed
SUBJ committee OF seven, who forthwith
took into consideration the subject
before them, and early the following
morning made report to the Sc
lect COMMITTEES; which report, with
some verbal amendments, was agreed
to; and
At 10 "A. VI. (W.dsesday o7h,) the
report was offered to the convention as
follows:
Resolved, as the opinion of fhis as
semLly, that the present defects OF the
constitution of this commonwealth
should be supplied by convention
empowered to frame and to submit to
the judgment of the people, such a
mendmpnts thereof as TO the convention
may seem Just and expedient: All, or
any OF which amendments, if approved
by majority Of the people. shall be
come part of the constitution.
Resoired, That while this assembly
does not presume to prescribe the OBJ
jects TO which the attention of such
convention should be directed, it is of
opinion
First, that the members of the house
ofdelegates should be reduced and IL
mited in number, asd, at stated periods
as the growth or declension ofthe popu-
lation of the commonwealth may re-
qulre, apportioned among the several
counties and corporations entitled to
represention, as equally az may be found
practicable, with reference to the num-
Der of their representative free white
inhabitants.
Secondly, That the council of state
should be abolished, and the executive
department otherwise reformed, so as
10 increase its efficiency and its respon-
sibilitv.
Thirdly, That the right OF suffrage
should be extended to all free white
male citizens above 81 years of
age. whether freeholders or not who are
capable Of fmnish'ng sufficient eridence
Of permanent common interest nth, and
attachment to the community, n such
manner as to guard against the introduce
ton of universal suffrage.
Fourthly, That some safe and prac-
teal provision should he made for such
further amendments of The constitution,
as experience may hereafter demon
strate To be just and necessary.
And be ii further resolved, That al
though this assembly cannot be reguir-
ed to disclaim an intention which it
does not ayow, yet il does not hesitate
to declare its disapproba6on of any
change of the constitution which shall
have a tendency 70 impair the indepen-
dence Of the Judiciary.
Fo, the attainment Of the object of
the preceding resolutions, Be it resell
we'd, That a respectful memorial be pre-
sented by this assembly TO the senate
and house of delegates of Virginia, re-
questng that provision be made by
law for taking the sense of the people
at the next spring elections, on the
question, whether there shall be con-
vention or not1 And that a memorial
to the legislature. praying the enact
ment OF a law for ascertalning the sense
( of the people of this commonwealth on
J the propriety of calling convention for
/ the amendment of our state constitu-
ton, be prepared s. circulated through
out this commonwealth, for obtaining
the signatures Of the citizens thereto.
And be it further resolved, That a
standing committee be appointed TO
superintend the publication and destri-
! button of the said memorial, with au-
thority to communicate from time to
| time with the several corresponding
convention committees which have been
or may be, appointed, by the respective
counties and corporations of the COM
monwealth.
The repor. having been read. it was,
on motion of Mr.. Scott Of Richmond,
referred to a committee Of the whole,
aud made the order OF the day for
Thursday.
o., Thursday 2sth, the convention met at an
early hour and after despa'ehing some preIi-
minnry business, the order Of the day was ia
ken up: Mr. Lewis in the chair
Mr. Shelley made an able speech in opposi-
ton to that part of The Cd resolution y hiciI re-
~ IT,