Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-12

| NELsoS, April 24th, 1929.
/ GrSrLEMEM Tho Enquirer ofthc 18th, containing
ma" received by the last mail It REQUESTS the
persons by name. who have been nominated 10 rem
resent this District in convention, among whom
am included, to publicly make known their sep,i.
ments on the following points, viz:
al. AS to the extention Of the right of suf1.a oe
to Non-ffceholdefs, with q reasonable qualfca-
| ton. a'r
Q. As to reduction of the present number Of the
liouse OF Delegates, with view TO economy Of time
| and money.
). As to an equal representation throughout the
State apporiioncd according to white population.
=. AS to new organization Of the Executive
branch OF the government, aud for DISPENSING will,
The Council in part, or in the whole.
.. AS to change Of tenure OF office i'm the
Jusiciary Department, to increase the respon.
sioity OF the Judges, or to facilitate their am"tion
from Office for sufficient cause
fully recognize the right of the Voters of rho Dis
tnst or any part Of them, to enquire into the senti.
ments OF those, who are proposed to them for
pubic trusts; and although, l have not sought
aho unknown rs attn to the greater part Of
the District, have not expected. to DO chosen one
OF Its Representatives; yet, nevertheless, where
possibility exists, feel It my duty to answer call
decorously made, which request to do through The
ineuuin OF your paper, prcsuming that was the mode
contemplated by the qnersts
In relation to the first question, thinking that free
government should withhold no more privileges from
ana impose no more restrictions its citizens than
are hdisPensaoy necessary, to the peace, SAFETY and
prosperity OF Society, it is my opinion the R;oht
OF Suffrage ought to BIO extended. bIany of ours
ter States have found the extension of tha, RIGHT nn
ded on mature age, previous residence and tho pav
nent OF taxes, compatible with high degree of p1b.
lie prosperity think rule of that CHARACTER miglt
be adopted here. s ~
The House of Delegates, have long thought too
numerous body. A very considerable reduction
perhaps to onc-half its present amount, would, in
my opinion. have the tendency of procuring an ablrr
representation. in mil
saving Of public treasure.
My answer to the 3D. question is, THAT think reprc
senaton throughout the State, ought to be eoualzed
anu 'het Wtte population appears TO me, at pre-
sent advised to be the proper basis. Bnt when is
recoiiected, how large share of public burdens is
borne by the country east OF the Blue Ridge, that of
the mmenseslavepopulntiono Virgina, nearly nine
ehths ore iocatedthere That from that source Gloac
larger revenue ocerues to the Treasury than is paid
by the country West Of the Bue Ridge, from eycrv
source Whatever when it Is also remembered, tina,
the w est IS rapidly increasing in white Formulation
wnie me east nearly stationary, and that the time
Is not isr distant, when majority OF white pcpula
ton viii be found in the Wet the pcc,ssi,y OF an nd
c1uate constitutional srcurty against the unne tay
alton OF the East will, think, DO apparent
IL ID subject OF great difficulty and deicacy;--uor
am now prepared 10 say, what would be adeouatc
constitutional security but, without wishing TO i,nntc
improper motives any where, feel il nv duty Tn
that should it be my fate to be chosen member
OF the convention, wonld give nv assent To no con-
WIN" w my judgment, uld not furnish to
the East Just and reasonable protection.
Nor Is this District slightly interested in that oues
tion as 1t IL exceeded in its contributions To the rea
snry' by only one other Senatorial District in the
State. " VIC
With relation 10 the Executive branch NJ tho CIV
crnment, the subject Of the fourth enouirv / mnst
frankly confess, ha re formed no decd-Ii opinion
II no more power is given to the Governor than Ire
now possesses, perhaps the present mode of appoint,
incnt with reduction in the number of the Conn.
cil: might answer as well another.
Finally. with regard to the Judiciary subject II
IS peculiarly incumbent to approach with dit. !
hdence, little conyersant have been with iuris
prudence: VIII venture to suggest, that the respon
'ibty ofthc Judges ought to be increased bnt their
independence retained. Holding their offices durinp
rood behavior, hut subject Is removable good cause
~ Joint vote OF majority Of both branches of the
Legislature, Tor some similar provison) would an,
'rehend, sufficiently increase their responsibility.
without destroying the Independence essential to
aithfhl administration Justice.
In conoiusion pcrni, me IN observe that some Ia
itude OF discretion ought to be allowed to the mem
,ers Of the Oonvcntion. II will be vain 10 DO
here to deliberate, If deiberation is not permitted
should the representatives Of different portions the
state assemble irrevocably pledged to conflicting
phhc expectation must be greatly dis
appointed i'll the result
am gentlemen, yours respectfully, !!
TIIOS. MASSIE, IN.