Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-11-05

Convention was called to order at o'clock
LEGISLATIVE REPORT.
Mr.. .Madiso,,, from the Committee on the
legislative Department Of Government, stated
that the Committee had had the subjects re-
ferred 10 them, under consideration, and had
agreed 10 report the following resolutions:
l. Resolred, That in the appointment Of re.
presentation in the House Of Delegates, re-
gard should bo had 10 the white population
exclusively.
.. Resoiced. That a census of the popula-
ton of the State, for the purpose ofapportion-
mg Che representation, should be taken In the
year 1881, the year 1915, and thereafter, at
least once in every twenty years.
8. Resolurd, That the right Of suffrage shall
continue to be exercised by all who now en-
ioy il under the existing constitution: provi-
ded, that no person shall vote by virtue Of his
freehold only, unless the same shall be asses
sed TO the value of at least 4 for the
payment of taxes, is such assessment be re-
CURED by law: and shall be extended, LIST, to
every free white male citizen of the common
wealth, resident therein, above the age of
twenty one years, who owns and has posses
sed for six months, or who has acquired by
marriage, descent, or devise, a freehold es-
tate assessed to the value of not less than
sessment shall be required by law: ed, or who
shall own vested estate In fee IN remainder
or reyerson, in land, the assessed value of
which shah be s Sd, or who shall own
and have possessed leasehold estate with
the evidence of title recorded, of a term orr
gnally not less than five years, and one of
which shall be uncxpircd, OF the annual value
or rent of s 4th, or who, for twelve
months next preceding, has been house
keeper and head ola family within the county,
city, borough or election district, where he
NAV offer to vote, and who shall have been as
s,ssed with part OF the revenue of the COM
monwealth, within the preceding year, and
actually paid the same: Provided, neverthe-
less, that the right of suffrage shall not be ex-
ercised by any person of unsound mind, or
who shall be pauper, or non-comnssion
ed officer, soldier, sailor, marine, In the SER
vice Of the u. States, nor by any person con-
victed of any Infamous offence; nor by cltl-
zens born without the Commonwealth, unless
they shall have resided therein for five years
Immediately preceding the election at which
they shall offer to vote, and two years prcce-
ding said election, in the county, city, bo-
rough or election district, where they shall Of
fer to vote, (the mode of proving such pre-
vious residence, when disputed, to be prescri-
bed by iaw) and shall possess, moreover,
some one or more Of the qualifications above
enumerated.
a. Resolrcd, That the number of members
IN the Senate of ibis State, ought to be nell
Their increased nor diminished, nor the classl-
ficahon of its members changed.
5. ECsoIred, That the number of members
an the House of Delegates ought to be re-
duced so that the same be not less than one
hundred and twenty, nor more than one hun
dred and fifty.
6. Resolred, That no person ought to be
elected member the Senate of this State
who is not at least thirty years OF age.
I. Resolved, That no person ought to be
elected a member of the House of Delegates
OF this state who is not at least twenty i've
years of age.
s. Resoleed, That it ought TO be provided
that in all elections for members OF either
branch of the General Assembly, and in the
election of all officers which may be required
to be made by the two Houses of Assembly,
jointly, or in either separately, with the ex-
cephon of the appointment of their own 9th
Gers, the votes should be given openly or rfca
ooce, and not by ballot.
g. Resolved, That no man shall be compel
ied TO frequent or support any religious wor,
SNIP place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall
De enforced, restrained, molested, or burthen-
Ell IN his body or goods, nor shall otherwise
suler on account Of his religious opinions OF
behef, but that all men shall be free to profess,
En- by argument to maintain, their opinions
!" matters of religion, and that the same SHAH
IN no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect tneir
civil capacities.
That the Legislature shall have no power
10 prescribe any religious test whatever, nor
TO establish by law any subordination OF pre-
ference between different sccts or denoioina-
Mons, nor confer any peculiar privileges or
advantages ON any one sect or denomination,
over others, nor pass any law, requiring or
aHthonSng any religious society, or the peo-
pie OF any district within this Commonwealth,
10 levy on themselves or otherwise, any tax
lor the erection or repair OF any house for
pubic worship, or the support OF any church
or ministry, but that it be lett free TO every
person 10 select whom he pleases as his reli-
slous Instructor, anu to make for his support.
such private contract as he pleases: Provided,
however, that the foregoing clauses shall not
Dc so construed as to permit any Minister OF
ue Gospel, or Priest OF any denomination, to
De eligible to either House Of the General
Assembly.
10 Resolcsd, That no bin of attainder, or
eT post Jdct0 law, or law impairing the oblga-
uono contracts, ought to be passed.
ii. ReSOLl,ed That Drivafe nronorty ought