Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-17
(Ssned)
JOSEPH W. PENDLEToN,
VIM. Overflow,
LAUNCELOT MINOR. Sr.
e. PENDLETON,
LUCiAN MINOR,
NELSON s. HARRIS.
WALLER HoLLADAV, ESQ.
Spottsylvania, CT. House.

LUClAN MINOR.
NELSON s. HARRIS.
WALLER HOLIDAY, ESQ.
Spottsylvania, CT. House.
SPorrsrLvANrA, April 18th, 1929.
Gentlemen Your letter Of the 4th roqu esting
me 10 give to you an outline Of the principal
amendments' which, in my opinion, the Constitu-
ton OF Virginia requires, - have this day received
Before answering your Inquiries, l deem il pro-
per to state, tina, in April 1929 voted against
Convention, because 1 apprehends tina, the new
constitution when made, might not be good in
| the main, a. the one which we now have. was
aware that the latter not FREQ from defec,s.-
Veto me, II seemed to be, in some m asure con-
secrated by time. and by the venerable names Of
those who formed IL; and was Of opinion that un-
der We had enjoyed much tranquility and
happiness, had fallen TO the lot Of any peo
pie under the Sun. II occayionally we had expe-
| rienced temporary distress, that distress, as
thought. had not been produced by the form of our
government.
Satisfied with good practical re suits, continu.
| ance Of which the experience of City years had
| taught us - expect, was unwilling to put them
to lizard, for any theories untred by us, however
strongly urged upon the attention Of the public
| by men OF acknowledged patriotism and talent.
Having made these preliminary remarks, 1 will
proceed to state as conciseiy possible such aiie
rations in the Constitution Of state, as accord
ing to my present views, would meet my sppro-
baton.
l. would be willing to extend the right Of
suffrage TO persons holding leases for terms Of
years, to such own less thar twenty-five acres
Of land, having a house of fixed vsne upon it. aud
possibly to reversioners; tho candour requires
me to state, had rather il should remain as ex-
errised at present."
2. / would be willing TO lessen the number of
members OF the II. ct Representatives, so that
they shall rot erceed $50.
8. would be willing to increase the number of
the members of the Senate, SO that they shall not
| ercced 80.
4. 1 would be willing to give TO the Senate the
rof. rtr:po oil
8. Twothirds of the members Of each House
should be required, think, to constitute quo
rum.
6. would we willing to equalize the repre-
sentation in both Houses OF the General Assembly
so far as it may be practicable to do 80, making
white population and taxation combined, the basis
OF representation.
z. would be in favour Of making the Judges
more responsible than they are at present; vet
care should he taken not to make them too much
So This, perhaps, may be effected, by requiring
their removal on the resolution of 2-Sds of the
members of both Houses of the General ASSEM-
bly,, each House acting OH the subject in its sepa-
| rate and distinct character.
The Governor Of the State, under the existing
Constitution, is little more than instrument in
the hands of the Executive Council. Sufficient
responsibitty does not rest on him. have, there
foro inclined to the opinion, that some alteration
ought to be made In the organization of this De-
partment OF our Government; tho L have NOT
been able to satisfy my own mind, what that alter
alton should be.
Before conclude, deem it proper to remark,
that no member Of the Convention. as 1 think,
should be strictly bound to any particular plan OF
reform.
Coming from different parts of the Common
wealth, and representing different and apparently
opposite interests the Delegates may be expected
to entertain different and opposite views In such
state OF things, without mutual concession no
compromise could DC made.
Each member, therefore, should be at liberty to
depart from his own favourite system of reform,
so far as ION full consideration and profiting from
the lights afforded by the Conv enton,) the great
interests and the permanent prosperity Of the
| whole Commonwealth of Virginia may seem to him
to require.
Aware Of the delay of the post, I have written
this answer in haste, that may send il tomorrow
morning, by private conveyance, TO Louisa Court
| house.
You have my permission TO make what use you
please OF 1t. Very respectfully, I am
Your Obt Serv't
WALLER HOLIDAY.
Messrs. JOS. W. Pendleton. William Overton,
Launcelot Minor, Sr. z. Pendleton, Lucan
MinoS and Nelson 8. Harris, Louisa
large number of the citizens Of No.tow.y
county assembled at their Courthouse, oil Thurs
day, the I'd day Of April, 1922 for the purpose Of
selecting four suitable persons to be voted for az
Representatives for their Senatorial District in the
Convention, which is to meet in October next, 10
amend the present Constitution of this State -
~.
the Chair, aud Major II. r. Anderson appointed
Secretary.
On motion Of Colonel B. p. Todd, RESOLVED.
That William Ii. Giles, BENJAMIN w. Leigh John
w. Jones, and WIN. S. Archer, are suitable per-
sons to represent this district in the Convention
and this meeting respectfully recommend them TO
their fellow citizens Of the distrctto be voted for
for that purpose.
RESOLVED. That the Editors of newspaper. in
Petersburg and Richmond be requested to publish
these proceedings.
EDWARD BLAND, Chairman.
II. X. ANDERSON, Secretary
From the Petersburg Old Dominion.
At meeting o. the citizens Of GreensvilIe
county at the Courthouse, on the 5th April, 1929,
holden Tor the purpose Of taking into consideration
the Propriety OF appointing committee, to con-
suit with the delegates appointed by the other
counties IN the District, 10 me ct in Jerusalem on
the 10Th inst. to recommend candidates for the an
preaching Convention dmunds Mason Esq
was called to the Chair. aud Capt. Henry wyche
was appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting having been oxplain.
ed by the chair, on motion, Resoised that a com.
mitee be appointed to draft preamble and resoIu-
tons declaratory Of those objects, which commit
tee, consisting Of M. b. Broadnax, Lewis Dupree.
Thomas Spenser, Doctor a. T.. b. Merritt, and DR..
T. T.. Scott, after retiring for short time, made
the following report, which was unanimously re-
ceived:
Whereas we are fully impressed with a senso
oil the importance Of the approaching convention.
which Is TO meet in the city of Hichnond ON tbs |
hrst Monday in October next, for revising, alter
ing or amending our present state Constitution |
and look forward with The most anxious soIei,ude
and lively and intense interest 10 its proce ednqs
%hich must nave an extensive and controlling in
fuenco Ill our happiness, prosperity, interests and
destJnics, as q state.-we. Their fire