Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-24
CONVENTION.
Rockingham, -9pra 2, 1929.
.ICyDEE CNIITH

I OOAN y IIIN kON.
! Rockingham, .1prii 2, 1929
I JUDGE SMITH,
! DEAR SIR-We among a number Of others.
have nominated you as one Of the pessons to be
voted Tor as Delegate to the Convention. The
number OF your feliow.c:ticens, that have united
in the nomination. shews that you will be earn
estly looked 10, Of the persons TO represent
US, at this important crisis in our government.
linus situated, your opinions in relation to the
contemplated reforms in our constitution, are mat
tiers oil deep interest to your felow-citzens, and
many oil them, express wish 10 know thsm.-
Understanding that you were not in favor OF the
cali Of Convention, many who consider you en-
nenty qualified for the task OF revising the con-
stitution, express doubts, whether YOU would
concur with them, in those umeDdments. which
me people OF the District known to be in favor
OF, and would he much grati6ed TO have those
doubts removed.
We,thereiore take the liberty of requesting you
10 sale Tor the satisfaction of your
the Leading principles by which you would be go-
Verned in amending the constitution. We would not
ask you to descend TO particulars or detail for in re-
Iation to these we think you should remain free &
uncommitted The questions upon which most So
licitude is felt TO know your opinions, are those
in relation 10 the equalization of representation.
the extension OF the right Of suffrage, the reduc-
ton OF the number of the House of Delegates, and
the tenure OF the Judicial office.
I 1t is, Sir, with much reluctance, that we make
this request, and we know that you will feel great
deiicacy in complying with it, but the wishes of
your fellow-citizens, required il; and delicacy
ought TO yield. when the interests of The country
Your oS't Sev'ts,
DAVID EENTON,
ARCH. RALSTON,
6. w. KEMPER.
DANIEL SMITH, Esq.
REPLY. .,,
.9prI 4t,, 1929.
GENTLEMEN: have received vour letter
oil the I'd instant, referring to the nomination,
which many Of my fellow-ciizens have been pleas
ed 70 make, naming me Is one of the persons to be
voted sor as Delegate TO the Convention, and in
forming me that, In consequence of that nominal
tion several OF my fellow citizens express a wish
TO know my opinions in relation 10 the contem-
plated reforms in our Constitution.
ANS application, as you have conjectured, places
date for the office, have had no agency in bring
ing my name before the people, and in truth have
no wish OF desire to be voted for, and would not
willingly do any thing, which / believed could,
upon any fair construction. be viewed as having
that appearance; and yet am not willing to deny
the night OF the people TO command the services Of
any individual, whom they may see cause TO Sc
lec', upon an occasion so highly important, and in
teresling. 1t a duty TO the public which, in my
opinion, any citizen, under such circumstances.
would feel bound TO perform; and in relation to the
people oil this District, to whom feel myself I'M
der obligations never 70 be be forgotten, positive
refusal on my part would evince want of patrie.-
Ism and gratitude contrary to my nature and feel
fngs nave, therefore, come TO the determination
that under present circums tances, motives Of DELI
cacy ought not to prevent me from stating my op-
mons generally, without going into detail, upon
the particular questions, as TO which understand
from you so much solicitude Is felt.
1t is true, as you have heard, that, when this
subject was hrst agitaed, was not in favor Of
calling Convention, although believed the pre-
sent Constitution TO be defective. TWAS my OPT
Mon that there was not practically any such great
oppression or grievances experienced by any, as
TO make II necessary and proper that the good PEG
pie Of this State should be thrown into such state
OF excitement as would, in all probability be pro.
duced; nor that the people should incur the risks
winch are in my opinion, always involved in the
eDoeavor to cancel the compact by which society
is held together, with the hope of forming one
more perfect-it was an experiment which did
moi feel anxious 10 make was not, however, Cd.
posed to taking vote on the subject; and from
the moment 1t was ascertaned that it was the wish
OF majority, have felt very solicitious, that
Convention should be organized, and Constitu.
ton formed and submitted TO the peopIe which
would accord with the views and wishes Of the
gfeat majority OF people, 10 whom il unquesfiona-
bly, belongs to decide this matter.
am somewhat surprised that there should be
any doubt expressed, whether in case of my being
delegated to the Convention, would "concur Il,
those amendments which the people Of the Dis
tFict are known to be in favor Off II has ever
acted upon, that, in representative government,
the representative ought to be governed by the
known will and wishes OF those whom he pepre-
SCENTS. The proceedings the Convention being Of
no binding authority until ratified by the people, il
Will no doubtbe the great object that body TO frame
Constitution thatwill meet the appreciation OF the
people With that object in view and according
to my present opinions would answer TO your
specific enquiries that, think there ought 10 be
an equalization Of representation, the basis of
which should be the free white population Of the
State.
That the right of suffrage ought TO be extended
to non-freehoders, but 10 what limit am not pre-
pared to say.
That The number OF the House of De,epates
ought TO be greatly reduced.
That the tenure Of judicial officers should be
during good behaviour, with provision, hos ever
giving to the Legislature or some other tribun,l
the discretionary power Of removing from Office
for incapacity, wilful and unreasonable neglect
of duty.
Having answered all the inierrogstores in vonr
letter, have only to add that
l am with gyest respect,
Your obedient servant,
DANIEL SMITH
JUDGE DANIEL.
The Joiloioing is the reply RI Judge Daniel. TO a
communication addressed to him 6y sepeynl zen,
Hemen Of this Senatorial District, on ne eLb.
Ject ~ the Contention;