Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-15

slituton exactly what they ought to be or the best that
possibly could be; but heswsbed the subject TO be
timed before tho Committee subject 10 the suggestions
Of gentlemen who would improve Il. In reply to Mr.
Stsnard, he thought tia very curious thing seeing
the provisions Of the Proviso had been passed as Tar
back lISSs that Of the many formidable conse-
quences enumerated by the gentleman from Sposyi.
wanna had asyet grown out Of It. II was now the
law OF the land, as much as Il were In the Constu
asn-and yet none Of these things had happened, The
justices issued their warrants, the aiors took their ees
the juries performed their duty. and all things
very smoothly. As TO justices protesting TO act after
their office was vacated by law, law nor Consttu-
ton either could provide aganst thu Consequences
But he could not agree that the issuing OF Justices
warrant was exercising any trust under the U 8. A
justice had right under the common law to appre-
head persons charged with crme and transmit them to
the place where they could be tried He wa. acting
under the Common weath and not under the Federal
Government Such the common sense coustric-
ton Of the awand why not Of the words IL In the
Consultations! But to prevent all doubt, the proviso
could be modified.
The question being taken on Mr.. Tayior's amendment,
u was rejected ayes I6.
amendment, and decided in the affirmative Al,
Noes 80.
So the committee agreed to strike out the word.
"Unfed States or" con6ning the prohibition Offices
The 9Th Resolution, being literally the same the
9th Resolution Of the Legislative Committee and which
has been adopted (reatingo the freedom Of relgon)
The committee then again took up the Resolutions of
The Executive committee.
Mr.. CLAIBORNE moved to strike on, the I'd Resou.
tion and insert in lieu thereof the following
RESOLVED, That there shall be Privy Council or
Council Of Stae consisting Of four member TO be cho-
son by joint vote Of both Houses Of Assembly, to a.sst
In the administration Of government Of whom shall
be chosen from the country West Of the Allegheny
mountains; from the Valley between the Aleehs.
ny and Blue Ridge mountains; from the country
Eaa Of the Blue Ridge and above the Heal Of Tide
Waters and one from the country between The Head Of
de Watar nd he a. kali
chooseout Of their own body President who. in case
ofths DEATH inability absence of The Gov
<rnor from the government shall act as Lieutenant
Governor. Three members shall be sufficient to act
and their advice sni shall be entered OF
record and signed by the members present. to any part
whereof sny member may enter his dissent and TO he
is'd before the General Assembly, when called for bv
them. They may appoint their clerk; who shall
have salary fixed by law, and shall take oath Of
secrecy in such matters az he shall be required d
rected to conceal. sum Of money shall be appro-
prated by law and divided annually among the mem
bers In proportion 10 their aendancc and they shall b.
incapable during their continuance in office of sitting
IN either House Of Assembly. The two members who
receive the smallest number Of shall go out at the
end Of three years. and be ineligible for the three next
snd the remaining two the end ofihree wears
after; and be ineligible for the same period Of three
years These vacancies, as we'll az those occasoned
by death ncapacity, shall be filed by new elections
10 the same manner and under the restrictions"
Mr.. FITzHUGH called for division Of the question;
and II was divided accordingly Whereupon, the eues-
ative-ayes 81, noes 4S.
On motion eff Mr.. Fitzbugh. the following supple
mentary amendments to the Executive Report, were
agreed to-:
list. That the term Of the Governors Office shall
commence on the LIST day Of Jsuuary succeedng his
election, or on such other day. the Legislature NAV
from time TO time designate I'D. That the Lieuten
ant Governor is TO be elected in the manner, Ut
the same time. and for the same term with the Gov
srnor I'D. That the Governor and Lieutenant Gov.
ernor shall be chosen from such person. ONLY as are
native citizens Of the United States shall have attained
the age of thirty years and have been citizens of the
State, during the five years Immediately preceding the
election :-4h "Tbat both the Governor and Lieuten-
ant Governor shall receive for their services COM
Pen'aton to be determined by law, and to be neither
sncreassd nor diminished, during the term for which
they shall have been elected and thew shall be liable
10 be mpeach and removed from office for ason
bribery. or other crimes and misdemea nors 18th.
=" Resoired, That II shall be the duty Of the Governor
to execute or cause TO be executed all the laws of the
Commonwealth--fo communicate to the Legislature at
every session., the condition OF the State, and to
commend to their consideration such measures "a he
may deem expedent. He shall also be Commander.
in-Chef Of the land and naval forces of the State
shall have power to convene the Legislature when in
his opinion the interests OF the State may auire ito
fill vacancies occurring during the Of the lie
gis'ature In Offices the appointment TO which IL vested
In the Legislative body and TO conduct either in
son. or by such agents az the Legislature desig.
nate all negocatons and correspondence with other and
foreign States"
Mr.. MERCER now called up a resolution sometime
since offered by him, in the following words:
"ResoIped That all take. on lands slaves and hor.
se' shall be fonnded on fair of their value
that no one OF these subjects shall be taxed separately
from the other two, and that when taxed the same rate
shall he charged and levied upon all.'
In brief explanation Of this amendment, Mr. MER
GER stated his estimate Of the present value of lands in
the Commonwealth to be 80 millions Of dollar: slaves
81 l-2 millions: and horses IL LIZ millions. The sun
posed disparity OF taxation between lands and slaves
not exist.
Mr. FIrzHuGH stated bis intention TO offer the fol.
lowing as substitute:
"Resored, That the power Of the Legislature TO i'm.
pose axesougbt to be limited as to prohibit the impo
son on property, either real PERSONAL Of any other
than an Gd pnldrem and that in apportoping tbi,
TAI, either Tor State or county purposes the lands The
slaves the horses and all the other visible properiy OF
zach individual in The community, (except household
furniture, wearing apparel and such other articles of
property as may be exempted by law) ought 10 be va
ned ana tsSei in proportion to their value Provided
however, that no individual, whose taxable property
does nor exceed In value dollars. shall he subject
tn any property tax whatever; and provided moreover
mat me Legislature may impose all professions and
occupations usually resoried 10 for support or profit
such tax a. may be deemed reasonable"
Mr. f. said. his object TO tax the entire capital
oil the community; tina, Of Mr.. NJ to tax only Ia nds
slaves and horses. His plan had been tried in Mary.
iand, and succeeded to entire satisfaction.
Mr.. MERCER said. the gentleman had msapprehen nd.
ed his smendmen-t did not confine taxation at all
but proposed ceriain ratio between these three az
sent subjects Tor ~ being designed guaranty a.
fainst The disprororionate taxation Of slaves
htera few further remarks in explanation OF his OBJ.
jecf
Mr.. MERCER moved that the COMMITTEES rise I,
rose accordingly.
In the House, Mr.. POWELL moved TO meet on Mon.
day, at 10 o'clock, but II was negayed-ayes 39-noes