Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-05

have not sought. and unknown as am to The great
Or part OF the District, have not expected, to be
chosen one OF ito Representatives; yet, neverthe.
less, where possibility exists. feel Il myluty to
| answer call decorousIy made, which request
| to do thro' the medium Of your paper, presun,ing
that was the mode contemplated by the querists.
! In relation to the first question, thinking that
| free government should withhold no more priv-
leges from, and impose no more restrictions on its
citizens, than are essentially necessary, for the
peace, safety, and prosperity of Society. il is my
opinion, that the Right Of Suffrage ought to he
extended. Many Of our sister States, have found
the exercise OF that right founded on mature age,
previous residences. and tho payment OF taxes,
patib'e with high degree OF public prosperity. I
think rule Of that character might be adopted
here.
The House of Delegates, I have long thou ht
too numerous body. very considerable re.
| would, in my opinion, have the tendency Of pro-
curing an ADLER representation, expedition in pub
| lie business, and a saving Of public treasure.
MY answer to the Sd question is .'.at think re-
lequaized; and that white population appears TO
me, as at present advised, to he the proper basis.
But. when it is recollected, how large share of
public burdens is borne by the Country East of the
| Blue Ridge, that OF the immense slave population
OF Virginia, fve-six,hs are located there; that
from that source alone, larger revenue accrues
to the Treasury, than is paid by the country West
OF the Blue Ridge, from every source whatever ;
l WHcu ~ - dsSO TcyneEiOefeus toat the west IS
pidly Increasing in white population, while the
East is nearly stationary, and that the time is not
far distant, when majority of white population
Will be found in the West. the necessity Of an adj
equate constitutional security against the undue
taxation of the East, will, think, be apparent
| tits subject of great difficulty and dricacy;-
nor am now prepared 10 say, what wsouid be ade-
quate constitutional security; but, should II be my
fate TO be chosen member of the Convention, 1
wish explicitly to declare, that can give my as
sent to no Constitution, which in my judgme nj, may
expose the country East of the Blue Ridge, to the
risk Of ruinous taxation.
Nor is this District slightly interested in that
question, as 1t Is exceeded in its contributions
the Treasury, by only other Senatorial District
| in the State.
With relation to the Executive branch of the
Government, the subject of the fourth enquiry,
must frankly confess, / have formed no decided
opinion II no more power is given to the Gov
ernor than he now possesses, perhaps tho present
mode OF appointment, with reduction in the num-
Der OF the Council, might answer well as an
other.
Finally. with regard to the Judiciary, subject
il is peculiarly incumbent on me to approach with
difhdence, little conversant as I have been with
Jurisprudence, will venture to suggest, that the
responsibility Of the Judges ought to be increased.
| but their Independence retained. Holding their
Offices during good behaviour, but subjectt re
moval for good cause, by joint vote OF amajority
Of both branches Of the Legislature, would, APP
prehend, sufficiently increase their responsibility,
/
faithful administration Of Justice.
In conclusion, permit me TO observe, that some
| latitude of discretion ought to be allowed TO the
members of the Convention. 1t will be vain to
go there to deliberate, cration is not permit
ted. Should the representatives OF different por-
lions OF the State assemble, irrevocaby pledged TO
conflicting propositions, public expectation must
he greatly disappointed in the result.
| lam, Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully.
| THOS. MASSIE,' in.
To the Freeholders of The Senatorial District
ouer, King William. King and Queen, aud
| Essen.
Feiiotc. Citizens-I do not know that any apo
logy is either due, or expected from me, for hav-
ing thus long deferred a reply to the queries ad-
dressed to me, amongst others, nominated to the
Convention. Ii 1t be looked for it will be found
i'll an unwiingness to appear TO obtrude myself up
on the notice OF the district, in advance OF names
prior in nomination, in the well-merited estima-
| ton OF the public to my own. In the partiality
which has designated me for SO high trust, l re-
cognise only the reflection ofthat which has here
tofore distinguished me. The double debt which
| 1t imposes ought 10 be, and shall be, discharged
with frankness, at least, which will preserve this
partality from liability 10 abuse in the ignorance,
or miseonception OF my senmen s, in regard TO the
prominent subjects of reform, which will probably
engage the deliberations OF the Convention. In
| stating them, will premise, that they are to be
LeBdFoeo' many Oh mem, ratner as specuiations,
than settled convictions, requiring, not resisting
the lights Of the superior intelligence which that
body will possess. ! have uniformly opposed the
call OF Convention, not from belief in the per-
lection OF our constitution, but because, (rom tenn
permanent ,perhaps,) my fears have been more alive
than my hopes, TO the prospect Of perfection, to
be wrought from discordant elements; because l
consider the imagination Of men, susceptible
faculty than their Judgment; the first disposed from
brief experiment elsewhere, from none at all
to regard axoms in politics, what at best blu
| theorems, or untred pr oblems, whose solution
should await the secure and sober test Of the lat
| ter, aided by long experience.
The question OF Convention decided, regarded,
las its just and legitimate elements, all those, who
TO evidence OF permanent residence, united the
physical and moral capacity and independence, to
| which the common consent of mankind affixes the
character and right of constituent members Of the
body polite; In other words, the free white, male
citizens OF the commonwealth of II years, who
shalt have resided year therein, shall have paid
tax, and not paupers or convicted OF any felony.
| Regarding this principle, as Of the essence OF
republican constitutions, flowing from the body Of
the people, and not the gift of the freehoders or
any privileged class whatever, in no situation
could repudiate it,
In regard TO the legislative branch of the govern.
rnent, think that economy and efficiency require
a considerable diminuton in the number of the
lower house. l think the Senate might possess
the power of originating all bills other than mo-
ney, and that its power should not extend to the
| rejection Of bills, which, when returned to the
| lower house, shall have received the concurrent
assent Of two thirds of the whole number Of that
| body.
| l think that both the efficiency and responsible
ty of the Executive would be increased by the
abolition Of the Executive Council, with the excep.
/ ton OF the Lieut. mt Governor, who might be
| elected at the same time and In the same mode
with the Governor. To the mode OF electDg the
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