Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-28


the residence of Walter Fitzgerald, ESQ for the pur-
pose Of recommending fit persons to represent them
in the Convection. to be holden in the city OF Rich-
ruond, on the first Monday in October next; the fol-
lowing gentlemen were selected, and appointed a
committee. for the purpose Of celebrating on the sub
jeet Of reform In the Constitution OF Vrgmia and OF
recommending 10 the people, such men as will most
faithfully and judiciousy meet their wishes in the
accomplishment of this desirable object.
Without hesitation, Walter Fitzgerald, Esq. was
called to the chair and Doct. Josiah Norton appoin-
ted Secretary to the MISUNDERSTANDING Capt.
BENJAMIN Estes Capt John Keen, john Ware, Jo-
sepi Perkins; Stephen Pri1. Capt John Prtchett,
Capt. Thomas Burnett, VIM. Payne and David H.
Boaz, appointed committee to draft resolutions
who, after having retired for short time reported
the following
Resolved, list; That, under the present Consti;u-
ton of Virginia there grievances too intoerablc
TO be bornc-such the unequal representation IN
the State Legislature the organization OF the Exec
utive md Judiciary Deparments-the county court
systetn-aud the defects in the elective franchise.
Resolved, 2ndly, That, under republican form of
government, the people are, ought to be, the
oreign power--that all Offices in the government
should emanate from them-and that public officers
should be dependant on and amcnablc 10 the people
for their conduct.
Resolved 3rdly, That, whereas large and
pectable meeting of the citizens of this community
are deprived from holding any part IN Legislation
(which. in humble judgment. Is contrary TO the
spirit of rcpublicansm, and repugnant to the feelings
oftfccmen) the right of suffrage should be extended
TO all free white male citizens residing in this
monwealth over the age Of twenty-one years, who
bear arms, and pay taxes for the support of govern
nrent.
Resolved. 4hly, That. in our opinion. the Judges Of
ot courts, and the Justices of the Peace, should he
selected from among those who are best qualified IN
talents and integrity, promote the public welfare
and that they should hold their offices for life, or du
ring gpod behaviour, aud competency to discharge
me duties OF their station.
Resolved, 5thly That, in the opinion of this conf
mittec, the representation in the State Legislature
should be equazed and graduated on the basis of the
free white population Of the Stacand that the pre-
sent number Of members Of the House of Delegates
should be reduced-whereby the business of legisla-
tldn would be expedited, and great saving TO the
State in public expenditure accomplished.
Resolved 6thy, That, in the opinion of this COM
nittce. the Chief Magistrate of the State should b.
elected for term oyears, by the people themselves
aud not By their representatives.
Resolved, 7hly, That, in the opinion of this COM
rnhtee, the Executive Council should be dispensed
with, as an useless appendagc to the government.
Resolved, 8thy, That the foregoing enumerated
defects in the constitution of Virginia, have, for
long time, been the sources of great grievance to
majority Of the good people of this commonwealth,
and ought, therefore, to be forthwith redressed.
Resolved, 9thly, That this committee, being deep
y impressed with the vital Importance Of reform in
the fundamental laws Of the land, do recommend TO
the people of this Senatorial District the propriety
OF calling cDunty meetings, and of adopting concert
&C measures for selecting frS the said district four
ulSCtcft anu taltNeu men as candidates, whose
tensions shall come fairly before the pcople--and
whose sentiments touching the defects in the State
constitution herein referred TO- should be fully express
sed.
Resolved, 10thly, That this meeting arc resolved
70 raise their protest against the pretensons of any
man or set of men whose views of reform are not IN
accordance with what is here expressed.
The foregoing resolutions of the committee having
been reported to the meeting, unanimously adop-
ted and in pursuance of tho 9th resolution the fol-
loving named gentlemen were nominated, and
commended to the people of this Senatorial District
rs suitable persons to represent them in the
ton to be assembled at Richmond on the first Mon
day in October next, to wit: capt. James Lanicr of
DanviIlc; COL Joseph Martin of Henry; COL George
Townes of Pittsylvania, and col. Benin w. S. Ca
bell of Danville.
On motion, Resolved, That copies Of the foregoing
resolutions be furnished, the Editors Of the Lynch
burg Virgnian and Jefersonian Republican for nscr-
ton WALTER FITZGERALD, Charm.
JOSIAH MoRroN, Secry.
I0 tks Comeniio,at Of ,9nhsr&t, Ncso7l, ALTERNATIVE
Fi,rcauhH and GoochEand
Fellow Citizens: The time is not very far distant
when It will be your duty citizens of this common
wealth, and your interest, to exercise one of the
greatest political privileges that belong to any
ton or any people The first day of May court next
IS the time appointed for you to elect delegates
present you in the approaching conventional con
veDton which viii assemble for the purpose of fixing
the basis upon which viii be reared the fabric OF Viz
ginia ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or Virginia degradation, and
within whose grasp will consequently be not only
vo1r happiness and prosperity, bu the happiness and
prosperity Of thousais that yet sleep in the bosons
IF fUturty. II behooves Won then 70 be extremely
'auors in the selection Of those who are to repre-
sVnt you. Your all depends upon il. Many persons 4
since the voice ofthe people, in tone too lofty and
TO be dsobeyed, has called for tonvcn-
lion tbut who were originally opposed toi,.J have
prPessyd TO DC in favor Of reform Such pcrsDns thy
fellow citizens. trust not--thcy are thus no doubt at
tempting TO get into the convention, TO aim more
deadly blow Give such car to their professions as
you would TO those Of your deadliest enemy. They
ore your enemlls and the enemies Of genuine rcpub
can liberty. II the constitution, previous 20 tic
known will Of the people upon the subject Of con-
vention. was not defective, it Is not defective lF
they could not SEC rs deorniiy then, they cannot scc
1t MIR. Nothing has occurred within the last few
months 10 produce rent revolution in their scn,i.
mems upon this subject. say, trust them notbut
sHlccl such only as have uniformly been advocates
o' reform IN the most prominently defective parts Of
the constitution as the judiciary, inequality Of repre-
sontatnt'on, restriction ut the right Of suffrage &c.