Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-21

constitute his only Council. II is also ndspensa-
bic that the Legislature should be lessened as to
number; one half Of the present number in my
opinion, being sufficient.
wM. CAsTLEMAN. Jr.
TO Mc Editors Of the ENQUIRER
ORANGE, April 18th, 1929.
Having been called upon, tlIro' the medium OF
your paper, to answer certain inquiries in reIa-
ION TO nay opinions, upon some prominent ques-
tons, which will probably be agitatcd, in the
Convention which is to meet in October next,
beg leave, thro' the same channel of Commune
caiion' to present to the District, in condensed
form, my general views upon tie subject of
amending the present Constitution.
The right to reform or alter an existing govern
mcnt, when II shall be found inadequate TO- or de-
strucve OF, the purposes for which it was i,sti,u-
ted is so we'll settled, and SO universally assented
to- in this country, that it has become an axiom in
politics, whose truth is unquestionable and un-
questioned In the exercise of This right, howe
yer, 1t behooves us, in my estimation, 10 practise
grea, caution and deliberations 10 look carefully 10
PracUeai good and not to go, in quest Of mere the
ory, or speculation. II has been well said that ait
IS good, not 10 try experiment in states, ex-
dent
Having promised these general remarks, pro-
ceca 10 state an outline OF the changes which, as
| at present advised. wculd be willing to make, in
our present form of Government, in the event of
my election TO the Convention.
lis organization will necessarily embrace three
great departments, the Legislative, Executive and
Judicial.
First, then, as to the legislative Department.
ihis presants the two important considerations
ist' OF the right Of suffrage, the qualification OF
votcrs-and 2ndly. the basis upor which the rem
reservation shall be founded. As it respects the
right OF suffrage, entertain the opinion that the
best evidence OF a permanent, common in.
teEest with, AMI attachment 10, the community, is
an interest in The soil. would not, however,
nn IN
OF voting to ree-holders alone; but would extend
1t TO those having lease hold interest OF less du
ration than for life, and 10 those who owned a
house and lot. If it did not exceed even half an
acre; thus still retaining the idea. that some in
terest In the so should be the test of the elective
franchise. ] forbear to enter into any discus
sion Oh this point and upon this OCCASION consider
ing that the inquiries made with view to as
CERTAIN what my opinions are, not the principles
or reasoning upon which they are founded.
~ 10 the basis OF representation, have no hes ST.
iahon IN saying, that think the present system of
e9uaN representation from the counties ought to be
abandoned. n providing substitute for it, how.
ever, consider, that at least in one branch of
Tie Legislature, the repres ntaion ought to rest
upon the basis OF a ratio compounded of popula-
ton and taxation. il the Legislative action ex.
pended itself upon the rights of persons only, il
might he contended with some force, that porula.
Won aione, shouc be the basis OF representation;
but when 1t Is recoected, that the same LegisIa :
tive action operates upon property also. by
The imposition OF taxes 10 an indefinite amount
and the application of the revenue thus raised. TO
any purposes, the idea must forcibly suggest
itself to the mind, that unless at least one house
be iorIned upon the compound basis which have
indicated, this consequence may follow: that
those VINO will pay least, may govern without
eontrouI, those who will pay most, as we'll in re-
laiion 10 the quantum OF taxation, the kind of
property taxed, and the purposes 10 which the
revenue when raised, shall be applied. In addition
TO these considerations, which have reference to
Ihe principles which are 10 regulate the conposi-
ton OF the Legislature, will remark in conclud
ing thus branch OF the subject. that consider the
House of Delegates as altogether too numerous
and the Senate, as liable 10 the contrary oiiection
without pretendiDgi in relation TO a mere question
OF numbers, TO assume any precise point on fhe
scale OF graduation, will say, in general terms.
Mat should consider the House OF Delegates az
Deng snihcienily numerous, if il were TO consist
oil from one hundred, 10 one hundred and twenty
members; and hat the Senate ought 10 bear fbs
proportion to the other House. of about ono third
as II respects the Executive Department, / have
nu' rev remarks 10 make. at present entertain
The opinion, iIat the Executive Council NAV
be dispensed with, without Inconvenience
or injury TO the public service If an adj.
visory council should be deemed necessary
one might probably be formed Of the officers who
must exist under their present. some other ap-
peiIaiion, such as the Attorney General the Urea.
surer and others. With regard TO the election of
ine Governor, perceive serious objection 10
his present mode of appointment; so long az he
shall be elected by those, who are themselves
elected by the people, and directly responsible 10
mem he will be in effect elected by them, be-
cause II can scarcely be imagined, that major.
" Oh TIE Legislature, would appoint any one 10
unat once against the known wishes Of their con-
sttnehts', especially where so little PATRONAGE
would belong to the Office, as either now exists
or would exist Under proper organization Of iiIa,
Departmental few words in relation A. H. ~,
dicial Department: ~ '''0 "
The great desidera'um Upon Ills subject "a. 70
combine, the necessary Independence NJ ~
judges, for the due administration of ;vs,;ca
wuh proper degree of responsibility Il seems =,
me, that this may be obtained, by their ejec,ian.
IN the present mode, with their presen, tenure os
once, but with this quaiiicatoo--Tha, they NAV
DC removed by tho vote Of the two Houses Of he
Legislature and woul ,hirk. fiate ~o1r,f,ss,s