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

Resolved. Thar. in the estimation of this meet
ing, Mr.. Bates is gentleman possessing. in an
eminent degree, such talents, virtues and repub-
can principles, as enttle him 10 our warmest
recommendation to the district, = suitable per-
son to represent US in Convention.
Resolved, That we will use all fair and honor
able means to promote his election.
Resolved, That the proceedings Of this meeting
be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and
sent To the Editors Of the Enquirer s. Wing, and
the Fredericksburg Herald & Arena, for publica-
ton.
ADDISON HALL, ci.'mn.
RoBERT T. DUNCAN, Se'ry
To the Non Frseh,iders Of Po,uhatan.
The Nom Freeholders Of the county OF Powha-
tan. requested to convene at their Courthouse,
on Monday the first day of the next Superior
Court, in order to enter into resolutions, for
the purpose Of having themselves represented in
the approaching Convention TO alter the Consiitu-
tion.-All Freehofders, who favourable to their
Cause. are likewise invitedt to attend.
Several Freehoiders and .N0n- FTetholdtrs
NoMINATIONS-AND CREEDS.
Messrs. l.. w. TazewelI, X. Taylor, G. loyal,
VIM. Maxwell Of the Borough, Mordecsi Cooke
and Arthur Emmerson Of Norfolk County, II. H.
BAKER and Joseph Prentis Of Nansemond, John
Cornick oil Princess Anne, &c. have been noniirla.
ted 10 the Conven from that District
Messrs. John Scott, Eppa Hunton, Inman Horuer
and John r. Wallace OF Fauquier, have given
their views of the Constitution-Mr Scott avoids
expressing any settled opinions Of Reform, leav.
ing his mind open to receive the lights which will
be shed by the able men who will be collected but
he freely gives his views & impressions. He says
that fixing the ratio ofrepresentation no gard
be had to property, anil slaves be not considered
as persons, the section Of the State in which they
are chiefly found, will not have representation in
the Legislature commensurate with it's extent in
the Laws to be enacted. / consider the counties
lying Immediately under the Blue Ridge as Pc
cullarly interested in this principle. They con-
tain large proportion of slaves. They constitute
the most healthy and by proper attention TO i'm
Provements public and private, will become the
most populous, wealthy and desirable region in
the State; might say in the United States. In
all sectional contests they will hold the balance
They should surrender no just principle which
VIII give them strength in the Councils OF the
Slate As to suffrage, he thinks that the Legis.
lature should 'embrace the agricultural, mercan-
tile, manufacturing, & monied classes but should
be so regulated as to give to the agricultural class
decided ascendancy."- He has come to the con-
cluson that "the common interest in and attach
ment TO, the community" which shonlh entitle
msn to share OF the power OF appointing the Le-
gisature, should be evinced, by the ownership of
property to such an amount 10 make him reoUu
feel an interest in the laws relating TO property
That no man should have voice in imposing q
tax that does not feel that he is taxing himself as
well as his neighbour. Where tho line is to be
drawn,is question Of difficulty and requires great
deliberation. think that none, who now share this
power should beexcluded; except those whose
freehoids are nominal merely. would rather in
crease than diminish, the number of those who
vote upon land for the reasons already given. At
the same time do not think that it should be the
only test" While he earnestly contends for ..ths
stability and Independence of the Judicial Office :"
he says"A liability TO removal from office upon
CONNECTION Of high crimes and msdemeanors does
not therefore seem 10 secure sufficient accounta-
bility. think that Judge should be removable
by concurrent resolution of tvo-thirds OF both
branchos Of the Legislature. This power if pro-
periy guarded, would rarely 81 ever be brought
into action, by sudden popular excitement or the
Vaccination OF faction. l would guard against
its abuse by requiring that the proceedings should
be open, the grounds OF removal plainly and dis
tinctly declared, and spread upon the Journals
and that the party should be heard in his defence
in person or by counsel"
MIR. Hunton says that "every free white man
over twenty-one years Of age, who can give ''evi.
dence Of permanent, common interest with and
attachment to, the community" nigh. with safely
be entrusted with the right. Evidence of per-
manent interest may depend on his having a fixed
residence in the County for period, as by re-
cept for taxes. Ii will be nice and difficult task
so to draw the line of limitation, as 10 include all
that ara worthy and exclude all that are unwor-
thy. While on the one hand, we ought to include a
large majority OF the free white men, without
which the Government cannc. be based on fair
principles, and cannot be found safe lasting on
the other hand, we ought to exclude those of in
sane mind, all stragglers, and all those who NAV
have been found guilty of any infamous crime''
He is for giving Chancery jurisdiction to the Cir
cult Judges-"The present mode Of electing
Judges is not Objectionable, but they should b..
amenable TO the Legislature, and liable 10 be re-
moved by the concurrence of two thirds of both
houses, for any misconduct, or neglect of duty, or
Tor any other cause which might render them in
capable or unable to discharge their duty. Their
term of service should at least expire at some
given time of life, when age begins 10 impair the
mind" Sc He is for amending, not abolish
ing the County Courts.-On the basis Of repre-
sentaton, he says " The extreme east and the ex:
treme west, think they have distinct interests
That large and wealthy section Of the State be-
tween the head Of tide water and the Aileg hanyA
with an eye single 10 strict justice and fair prinei-
pies, must elect a compromise, on this delicate
subject, or we shall have no acceptable Constitu.
ton. White population is the only fair and pro-
per basis OF representation: but, our section of
the State, has heretofore borne an UNEQUAL share
of the burthen of Government, by an Unjust and
unequal taxation, without having an equal share
in representation, insist upon IL, that if repre-
sentation be made equal taxation ought 10 be made
equal also" He Is for abolishDgthe Executive
Council, making a Prvy Council out Of the Attor-
ney General, Auditor, sc.
MIR. Homer advocates the reduction of the num-
Der OF the House OF Delegates, and the abolition of
the Codncil Of State--fie is inclined to adopt
the free white population as the standard OF repre-
sentdtion, and prescribe fixed rules for the esiab-
lishment OF system Of equal taxation He con-
tends that 4" Manhood, citizenship, residence, liza
bility TO public services in and in peace, and
the payment of County and State taxes form
sufficient test without reference TO land as quail.
ficatioD BY deriving the right OF voting, from
these sources, it may be modified and re gulated,
as to embrace all who aid in defending and main.
tanning the State and to exclude such asieeling lit
tie or no sympathy with the community, might
exercise their Influence 10 the passage OF par
tial and dangerous laws" He thinks that " The