Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-12
CONVENTION.
2IR. C. Il. MERGERS REPLY.
W.cur-croN- Anil % ICON

=iIAI. Y. Il. lEHCAtt - BEPIE.
WASHINGTON, April "a, 1929.
Cd. Saml M. Edwards, and others,
members of the committee appoint
ed by meeting Of the citizens Of
Aoudoun county on the 18th instant.
GENrLEMEN;-Having learnt, on my way
from home, through the friendly attention OF a
member of your body that had been honouredlwith
q letter from you, which his some how miscarried,
requesting ny answer to certain questions touch
ing the great principles expected to be involved
in the deliberations of the convention about to be
chosen, for the amendment OF the constitution o.!
our state, feel it TO be my duty, without await
ing renewal of your communication or attaching
any other importance than that which you and my
fellow-citizens of Loudoun and Fairfax, may
please TO give, TO my opinions, TO imagine the ma
ture OF your inquiries, and 10 meet them with
prompt aud explicit answer.
Without referring 10 my votes in 1916, and 1877,
N favour oil taking the sense of the people on the
call of aFconyention,. while 1 acted as dele
gate from Loudoun in the General Assembly, my
zed', in behalf Of that measure, has been too Of
ten publicly expressed before you, since the in
stitution OF those proceedings which led 10 the
last Staunton meeting, as well as the prior memo
rial from the citizens OF LoudOun TO the legisla-
tnre, on the same subject TO require renewed
manifestation of at, on the present occasion.
The amendments oil our present constitution,
then sought, must be presumed TO be still within
the view of the friends Of political REFORM and, by
briefly repeating the sentiments which then ad-
yocated, may hope TO supply answer to your
Inquiries, calculated TO subserye the purpose con-
sempaied by your appointment.
Allow me, then, gentlemen, TO say, Chat recent
events have furnished additional arguments in IA
your of equalizing representation, in both
branches of the Legislature, on the basis of the
free white population of the commonwealth and
Of permane ntIy sustaining that equality, by pc
riodical census OF the people that, among the pr-
mary objects Of constitutional reform, should be a
iust and liberal extension of the right of suffrage
without regard 10 freehold qualification; and, with
such modification, rs to prevent the practical abuse
OF that important right. To this, should be added,
the abolition of the council Of state-the election
Of the governor, by the peOple-the reduction OF
the members of the House Of Delegates-a provi-
sion for the appointment, by the governor, with
the advice OF the senate, OF all public officers now
elected by the Joint ballot Of the two houses oil
the legislature-the liberation of the legislature
from the present restraints upon the power OF or.
ganzing the judicial tribunals, as expediency may
recommend, for the prompt and cheap adminisra-
ton Of justice; while, by one appellate court, uni
tormi,y shall be maintained in the Interpretation
Of The laws; and by the tenure of judicial office
the purity and independence of those TO whom that
Interpretation is cont sd.-Nor should the occa-
sion be lost OF providing, by the constitution, for
an equal distribution of the public buTthens with
reference to the ability Of those who bear them:
end for the equal diffusion Of knowledge, by means
ot popular education, the only sure foundation oil
public freedom.
With an adequate provision in the constitution
which may be adopted for its future amendment,
Thenreguired by the people, the foregoing altora-
lions would, believe, afford perfect satisfaction
20 large majority Of those, who are friendly to
change Of our present constitution. How many
Of the proposed amendments, it may be in the
power ofhe convention TO supply which will proba-
bly, contain many enemies Of any change Whatever.
il s not possible to foreseej but, should 10 hon
CURED With seat in that body, station which !
do not presume % seek, bat could not for many
reasons decline, d il be offered TO me, shall hold
myself bound 70 yield 70 the principles 1 have
stated, my cordial support
] atm, gentlemen,
With great respect,
Yn"r obc5isut servant.
O. T. MERCER