Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-12
THURSDAY, DEC. 10.

THURSDAY, DEC. 10.
AT hulfpast | clock the Convention was called
70 order. Mr.. y. p. BAnBoUR presided.
mT. CAMPBELL moved the adoption Of the follow
ing resolution:
"Resoved, That Committee be appointed tc
procute convenient and suitable house for the dc!b-
erut,ons of this Convention"
The resolution was agreed to, and ATessrs. Sum
mers, Campbell, Nicholas, Leigh and Johnson, were
appointed Committee.
motion to lay the resolution the table was ne
gatived.
The Committee was, by resolution Of the Conyen-
lion, authorised to make suitable ARRANGEMENTS for
the Convention in the Old Baptist Church.
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole, MIR. GonDoH in the Chair.
On the motion of Dir. Ssc0Tr the Committee tool,
up the report ofthe Judicial Committee
The resolutions taken ap seTiatim
The first resolution passed for the pre-
sent.
Mr.. HENpERsoN moved to amend By striking ont
the second resolution, which is follows:
Resolved, That the present Judges Of tie Court
OF Appeals, Judges of the General Court, and Chan
ceiors remain IN Office until the expiration OF the first
session of the Legislature held under the Constr
tuition, and no longer. But the Legislature may
cause to be paid TO such Of them shall be re-
appointed, such as, from their age, infrmies and
past services, shall be deemed reasonable"
He read the 9Th and St resolutions and compared
them with the end. They covered. he said, the
whole ground, and included all the possible cases
where offence might be committed But he consid-
cred the end resolution unjust and unfeeline--he
hoped therefore, would place the Judiciary where
all officers OF the government II they do wrong
remove ;Ac; not, let them remain os all other Of
ucers.
Mr. MORGAN moved to strike out the words,
but the Legislature may cause to be paid such
OF them as shall not be re-appointed such az,
from ther ase, Drmties and past services, shall be
deemed reasonable
He did this, because this clause is unnecessary
The Legislature would have the power still
But the Convention should not, be thought take
upon itself to remove MI the Judges.
Mr. ScoTT wished TO amend the resolution, by stri-
king out the word may and in lieu thereof insert
shall"
80 enable Mr. Scorr TO do this, Mr.. MoaoAN
Withdrew his amendment for the present.
Mr. ScorT said he had the honor to propose this
resolution in the Committee. lie offered it to ena-
Bile the Legislature, if it deemed proper to make a
radical organization of the Judiciary and to make an
adequate compensation to those Judges who would
be removed. The Judges accepted the office under
contract that they would retain it during life, pro-
vldcd they bchavca themselves properly. 1t was
but Justice to reward those removed, and if the
words are stricken out, he would vote differently
from what he did in the committee.
The question on the amendment to strike out was
then nut and carried in the negative.
The question being Dir. Morgan s amendment
10 strike out the Last clause.
Mr. MoRGAN said that the meaning Of Mr.. SCOTS
proposition, to enable the Legislature to com
ponsate the judges who may be removed, with
salary for lie
The question the amendment was carried in the
negative-ayes 80, noes 10.
Mr.. HENDERSON renewed his motion TO strike ONT
the whole resolution,
Mr.. DoDDRDeE moved to strike out the word
"Lcd' and insert election"
Mr.. DoDpRIpGE stated his reasons for offering the
amendment. He thought il probable if this Conven-
ton adopt Constitution the law relative appoint
meus of officers past last Spring, must hc repealed
When rep esentation shall be apportoned, and
Assembly on the new apportionmeut established. he
wished the organization of the Judiciary, and not
till then. The motion prevailed.
Mr.. Powell opposed the motion 10 strike out She
Cd resolution Tho pcof,le al -I
ganzation oftbe judicial system, is absolutely ncces
sary. To attain that object, it is necessary to retain
that resolution Suppose the Legislature think pro-
per TO constitute court Of Appeals.-to reduce
them from 5 to }, what mode could they adopt
BY The odious plan of removals. Was it not better
then make the official character ofthe judges termi-
nate at the period proposed? Many of the Judges
would be reelected by the Legislature.
Mr. Nicholas said be always looked forward 10 the
decision ofthis question very interesting, giving
character to the deliberations of this body. He
here opposed 10 make any change but what
is necessary lie opposed to yacatc al the Off
ces Of Judges by sweeping clause IN This cons,i,u