Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-05-14
me Of ncither disappointment OF sorrow, shsd'e
hur choice fall on others.
am, Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully,
THOMAS MAssiE, il.
To ths Ediior. o. fhe Hirrininn

CT izcns OF Amherst and Nelson, having iann
me the honor Of prescating me Ia iiie notice ii
their senatorial district, ~ a nominee 10 n seat
IN the approaching Conscntion. 10 convene III
October oaat 20 revise md amend the tonsti
tuition ofthe Stale aud having through fhe a
gcncy ofthcir respective committees. solicited
u public avowal Of the opiuIsns Of gentleman
nominated IN relation 10 CERTAIN questions Of
constitutional reform. beg leave 10 avail
myself OF The columns Of your paper, n the
ba aud most conseuiea, medium 81 eommuni
cation. 20 make that avnwal. am asked by tina
Nelson Committee q
! !. Are you in favor OF Tie extension Of the
right Of suffi age 7
2. Are YOU ID favor Of pbss erunlization of rer
rcsnn,alion upon the bssis T ICES white popala
ton
.. Are you in favor of stalking executive
and minis,ct,ai Offices responsible 10 the peo
pie
And by che .imberd committee, my views d
opinions;
| ! Asto the future organization OF the Legis
laiyc Department
| Q. As to the future organization OF tie Exc
uj.ve Department.
| 3. A. 20 the future organization Of the Judi
olnry Department.
| 4 A. 20 the future apporlienmepi OF rfprrsrn
tation.
IA 10 The extension Of the right Of sui
ffage.s
| OF these shall notice. FIRST. the qassl ians IN
relai'on 20 representation aud snfragt. ms bring
the NEST important that will occupy The dnfbe
)rrt ons of the Convention. Am most decided
| " in tavo, Of extending the right of suffrage,
and icqpaliging representation npen he ba
sis Of free white pc pnlniIan. consider both OF
these reforms indispensably neGes.afy To bring
back or constuui ion To the principles pf thu
| h.It az "a u,,t In, In al dp.
serve the npf7ella,inn we have long and 81
proudly honsied ior II. a representative demecs
racy---lt " now Representatives atistoesary.
| II ~ uulh that canuot bedpn,ed, that the 90.
W., nmcni ofVirgina IL NOW. aud long hns
bees ~ the hand ola minority III tho people.
yea miuoiity Of u minority
The only limitations I y ouid impose upon
the night of suffrage are hge, residence, the
payment Of state aud county taxes whea i'm.
posed, pcN Torrance Of militia duty, unless ex.
ampt by are, &G. and exemption from 0tan,y
Of character, proee edng i,om conviction iof
crlme. would favor TINT limitation tint
would exclude rs few ns possible from the enel
cisc ~ an agrncy IN he government The rule
should emlTnce the man, the exception The
tcw ~ present, the reverse u true the ~
CO piions embrace mrrh Than Tie rule.
That free white population forms the only
true basis OF representation ~ n republican 60.
veromont seem. 10 mo 10 bs an essentially iunda
mrna principle that requires no illustration. l
'ball not here ntiemp, itas purpose iiollo write
an essay on government, but 10 give my opin-
ions rs conci5"ly possible. II |, really be
apprchendcd tina, The rights ofpropery wonld
be- rendered insecure byfqnalizng representa-.
t,ou. Gnd sHieoding the rigbi 81 apf1age, rs ia
conte uded by the advocates al Stare representa-
fntio,t, or n mixcd basis Of persons aud prop,
rrty. let the new cons tuition euninin u goarnb
" ior the protection of property against exces.
siVr or di5propUriIonaip taxation. Or west
err brethren are willing. nm convinced, 10
ia orp0rnle such provision ~ the constitution.
and whether willing or unwilling, the easi OF
the ridge now has the power OF numbers, n ma
, jory of free whites and mnIoriiy In Gonyen
e ton, and eau coctcr thrm but COERCION is M
necessary, for have never vet conversed with
man from hes ond the mountains who wns not
willing iliai such constitu Onal pledge should
be given. Aud although hnvr no fears my.
sell for the security OF property without such
u pledge. | respect the fears of those WIN
q. think differently, and should advocate the en-
grating # such guaranty IN the new or n.
mended constitution. This SAT guard, il seeols
To me, should re,uove all the fears aud, with
them, the 81 Jecions of the nd' oGHies of u
restricted SUlIiage aud unequal representa-
ilon.
IS 10 the future organization of the LrRlsa.
tive Department. am 10 lavor of reducing the
pte sent nuunbrr Of the House NJ Delegates To
ono hundred, or Whereabouts, and increasing The
Senate ia ~ ~ 81. wouId give The Senate
the power If orgination Ia all caseA, except
money bills. l would take from the LegisIa-
mie u great deal oftle business TINT now serves
10 p,oirsci its Sessions and which more applo.
+ pfiniciy helonps to other departments Of the
government such a. ihs al publication o., claims
,I ~, h., al In Ilta Jul,sta
rate elections, interpretations, Aild various 9th.
" sui jccis, that might under some general con
siituiionai provisions, be safely committed la
other tribunals or other departments lhese
reforms in the Legislative Department would
IN my humble opinion, result Ia a Great eoono
NY of the public money, noinnly by the redne-
ton OF ihrnumber Of he Leglsf tnre but by hen
endcncy iOa Jitpt CHI OF bus nes Il TO the short
sn,ng OF the sessions aud. what IS a more in
poriant confederation sill, believe our rels-
laon wonld be characterised by more pro
deuce and wisdom fhau at present, m eoose
anrn;e OF the diTcren, and improved materials
such reform will bring into The Legislative
holy.
A. TO the E,xecntiye Departmental am ds.
cidrdly IN favor OF abolishbg the Council and
making the Governor elective by the people pc.
riodicaliy--sav, fora term OF 3 or 4 years. ]
would give him, for his advisers, the Attorney
General and other heads Of Department. His
power should be enlarged. aud ms duties mnl
lipjied, to certain extent. Unity IN the Exec.
utiye Department ipsures due responsibility, and
conduces to energy and efficiency plurality
the very So trne is this, that II has be-
come one of the hes, received opinions OF ari.
tiers on government. and several OF our sister
republics have borne esimony 10 ileT beiitt
? of ~ truth, by amending their constitutions L.
I exchanging an irresponsible Governor ind
Council for u responsible aud eiicient Chief
: Magistrate.
e AZ 20 the Judiciary Departmental an drei-
dedIy 10 favor Of the Judges holding their Office
T nv The same tenure MS at present, during good
# behaviour, tu, 10 expire a, The age of 90 or 20
years.
). 1 am aware, thu, Ivy this limitation, the state
= would sometimes be deprived OF the services oil