Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-21
To TIE EptroRs OF TIE yYn1e.


hleSsrS. Hdtors:-lIavlng sesu Il publication IL
your paper OF the Sd inst. rccoumcn iup ME TO the
onfreehodcTs of this Senatorial District to be yo-
ted TOR as member OF the convention which is to
meet IN October next, for the purpose of amending
the DID, or forming constitution, think it ne,
ccaary for me to make my opinions known upon the
subject, lest my principles may be- mistaken by
them.
It is nay opinion the last LEGISLATURE had M r;otJ
or authority 20 pass law upon the subject of con-
vontIon-thc constitution makes no provision for ito
amendment, and as the people had determined To al
ter the Old, OF form new one, the only power tue
Legislature possessed was to recommend suel mon
eurcs to carry the will of the people into effect as
they thought most conducive to the public veal and
the mode recommended, ought not to have infrinpcd
The principles of the bill IF rights.
II must be manifest 10 MI, that the state of Virri-.
MIA belongs TO those w'o hold the sol--the poycTu.
mcnt is now in their bands and there lone il viii
remain, but would, Notwithstanding extend the rrIt
of suiragc TO all iJe white male citizens ovnr tI
ugc of twenty one years, who have not been 1uiItv
of some infamous crime ana who have resided two
years in the comfy where they tender their vote
and paid their daic and county taxes-I would OK
tend 10 them, tIs right because I am Of on,uion tl;
foundation Of al free governments, ought to be laid
IN The alicct!ors Of The people, withhold The r1bf
and there vii always BE- discord and cuIleutio6 y
The welfare OF the people OF this State dcncnd4
more upon agriculture than npon Anv other branch a.
industry, bc'ause all others are more or less dnnoJ
en- upon Il Tor support | would therefore cxcInd,
nUn-ircehddcrs from being elected to either House er
the tcnGdl Assembly, or to the CONGRESS OF the IT,
States. The best security tho land holders can have
IS, that .e interest Of the representative shond bu
identified with his own, and take il for granted the
non-irphodCTs would not have that fellow feeling
for heland-holdcrs, TO ensure faithful rcprCsci,-
ton II the landed Interest," should therefore be mi.
willing for any person to be- elected representatives
une@ he we're qualified ngreably to the present lazy
of tic State.
! am in favor Of dispensing With the Executive
! Csunc bnt would provide Lieut.. Governor TO ncl
vhcn the Governor s ncapactGtod, nnd make tho
Attorney General and tho Auditor Of public accounts
tho Cabinet Council Of tho Governor
am also in favor Of Amending the judicial systen1
think the Judges and magistrates have too much
powcr they arc IN some cases placed beyond tho
reach OF law-conempt Of court, should no defined
and embraced in tho constitution that the peoplo
may know what it is-un6er exisiingscircnmstaneea
the liberty OF the citizen is at the mercy Of captions
Judge, or an ovcr-bearing northumberland men
have power, they may abuse II; I therefore think
they ought TO be placed under constitutional rcsq
traint, and made responsible
have objections TO that part Of the constitution
Vesng The Judges fthe court Of appeals with power
to try The Judges Of tho general eourtf Judges arc
guilty of inal-feasance Office, they ought TO b.
tried by the representatives Of the people, from whom
they receiS their appointment.
Fhcrc arc other defects that require amendment
out dem i cccssary to enlarge upon the sub,
sec. THOS. PITTS.
FsF- CcyDtV, 1p,fI lcn.