Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-15

1Ioe ~ essay government,
opinions Ii really be apprehended that the rghts
OF property would be rendered insecure by eoua zing
representation and extending the right Of Suffrage as
Is conended by the advocates of SLAVE representation
or6wred OASIS 81 persons and PROPERTY let the new
constitution contain guaranty for the protection of
property against excessive
Our western brethren wiling | am convinced To
incorporate such provision in the constitution; and
whether wiling or unwilling, the east of the Ridge
now has the power of numbers, MAJORITY of free
whites and majority iii convention, and can coerce
them--bnt coercion IS unnecessary, for have never
vtt convcrsei with man FROM beyond the mountains
who was not willing that such constitutional pledge
should be givenand although have 10 fears nyse.f
Tor the security of property without such pledge
respect the fears of those who think differently; and
should advocate the enGraiting OF such a guaranty
In the new or amended constitution. This saferuard
it seems to should remove al! the fears and with
them the objections oc advocates ola restricted sui
fraSe unequal representation. As tho future orua-
nzaton OF the Legislative department. am in favor of
reducing tho present number ofthe House OF
70 100, thereabous, and increasing the Senate to
30 or SO. I would give the Senate the power Of o.
TIgfnatioa III all cases except money bills-I would
TAKE from the Legislature urcat deal of the bust
ness that seems to protract it's sessions and which
nre appropriately belongs to other departments of
tho government, such as the adjudication Of claims
That should be referred the judiciary, separate
elections, interpretations and various other subjects
that might under some general constitutional provi-
Sion be safely committed to other tribunals or other
departments. These reforms in the Legislative De-
partnlent would in my humble opinion result in
great economy of the public moneys not only by the
reduction OF the number of the Legislature bnt by
their tendency to despatch of business and to the
shortening of the sessions, and what is more inpor-
tant consideration still, believe our legislation would
be characterized by more prudence and wisdom than
mt present, in consequence of the different and i'm
proved materials, such reform would bring into the
Legislative body.
AS 10 the Executive Department., am decidedly
niavor OF ebolishing the Council Gn making the Go
vernon elective by the people periodically, for term
of years. say or Al would give him for advisers
The Attorney General and other heads Of department
His power should be enlarged and his duties multiplied
to certain extent. Unity in the Executive Depart
mcpt due responsibility and conduces to ener-
gy and efticacy-pluraty the very reverse. So true
Is this that it has become of the hest recorded
opinions Of writers on government, and several of
sister Republics have borne testimony TO their belief
IF its truth by amending their constitutions and en-
changing their irresponsible governor and cuunril
Ter responsible and efficient chief ma gistrate.
AS to the Judiciary dapaitnenti am decidedly III favor OF
the Judges holding their Office by the present
during good behavior b the Of 65 20 years
am aware that Try this limitation the State would sometimes be
deprived OF the services Of competent and merorious officer
bat consider the rue too inpor'n, to be influenced by tie
exceptions Whilst am In favor OF an independent judiciary,
wish 10 make Il efficient and fesponbcr:spouse not IN
,e only but tai anu pfaGtGaay sol aa 10 make Judges So
and conscrc that they should be removable by joint
nn thirds three nirtis OF boil, Ho;ises fte Icsis.
iairpeaPs il might be sautary safe guard to rcqusc
of the chief Of the State in s
pusou from Office judge may be guilty of various
of his Office, ;raDsreons of omission and commissions
aid he may be m5ece from age disease, for which
such the Legislature should have power dplacng
htnan addition the power their higher grade.
snneasmes, M sa eas dc4isea foon has e BEEN ss
from experience to constitute very remote and ne.cien
accountability aud that remedy provided by the present
siitution shadow without substance The House OF Dele
oates peac but his brother ladScs Try hn and to aiilI
fellow feeling ''at makes won7yous kind, would be sal
INIT oy mn, s man t Jgs S Is ,e'S t ,e
onse of Delegates should have the power Of Impeachment IN
Senate the trial of npcachments Whilst the subject of ti
i ao against their aboiiion would agree 10 whocoa
notifications of tie system but would retain what tconside
the valuable of it, The antiquity of the institution
dating origin far back a. the reign of Alfred lis utility
administering cheap and speedy justice without fee reward
and psieryra and domestic character offs administration
Justice, have Justly rendered avo;c tribunal Virginia
Fiat there vices in tie system cannot BIZ Hnich rs pv
OF selfceaon-itsp power OF appointments snort the unio
ufs inconsistent and icomi a,he powers legislative excc
tive and Judiciary objectionable III pTnciPe and nav
found productive OF evil in accr. would, far a
practicable remedy the defects in its mode Of appointment
take from IT ITS power of ?iirtnent IN some cases pi ou
Judicial power untouched, unless upon mature deae
ration siFoud be ionh cTpedent 10 transfer It's chancH
p'xers other jurisdiction Tho third n'auoslioy
Tie Nen Committee is somewhat indefinite and obscure:
y r ~ tue terms a 10 Use ,e
between many, ard few elections would not bc
of all the subordinate and uufnportant o!ces elc
executive nr ministerial being filled Ivy the people There
several objections 10 much time would be spent much IN
Convenience and confusion result and continual rzcitener
kc; aoa petty olc( without any aoefa'e hfiii su
ing from And what is more to he deprecated than all IN
uit,e and frequency OF elections would tend to lessen tn
ines, taken in, and importance attached 10 the election
really interesting AMI important Fee people should eeftani
elect ncir members OF assembly, their GOVERNOR n PH6
tiair scyfs and gis,racs The appointment other
Gers and ministerial aocoin; my present i'm
rasxons may be safely and conveniently entrusted % OC
i0ials Of appointment. The foregoing the princip;
.;nen,nens should advocate, member of r!nyentio,
liberty Of the pnss religious frcdon freedom Of speech
fs ~ jury, hac corpus, the abolition of enacs and pr
nsirc though already guaranteed by the bill of rights
y ordinary enactment should, of abundant caution, h
Incorporated provisions Of he amended
Gion lastly, the constitution should contain pro:
son its amendment in fuurc,snd clause re!irr
all the Officers of government, civil and military, s!n
take oath support and maintain it.
Having frankly bat hastily and npcrlccT disclosed n,
and opinions obedience request of very respects
tic portion of MY fellow citizens with the motive that
icaied teir requests of rrob,y and duty
us trc myself that my has been brought h
fore ,e public without my solicitation, much
wish, either felt expressed on my part That have bee
III favor Of the cal Of conventions and warmly devoted
tr OF constitutional reform, since have been
l.