Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-08
CONV ENTION.
FRANCIS FITzGERALp, Ssc'ry.
60 the Editor at the

40 enc L-uifW ~ tHc enquirer.
Having seen in the Enquirer of the 18th ut.
request from Z" Freebooter OF the District"
composed ol the counties OF Prince William, Stat
ford, &C., that would answer certain int.rroga-
tories, which he has propounded 10 me, as to my
opinions of the State Constitution; avail myself of
the first unemployed moment hastily and briefy
to comply with his request.
They are presented in the following order:
LIST. Are you willing to represent the district
in Convention?
"2d. What are your opinions in relation to the
changes, necessary TO he made in the present con-
stitution of Virginia."
10 the hrst question, which the " Freehoider''
wishes answered, reply, that | consider il the
duty OF every citizen of the Republic, serve his
country, when he can DE useful to her, unless ne
s prevented by paramount duties of private cha
racter. | should ne Justly accused of affecta;ioD
were not to acknowledge the qualification ex-
perenre in receiving testimonials OF appreciation,
coming from my Fellow citizens, and however
dfiidently should enter upon the task signed
me, should certainly feel bound 10 attempt its
execution.
| The second and more important question, is pre-
! sented in so indefinite form, that to answer il
fully, would occupy more space and time, than 1
! could at present devote 10 it.
1 wish, however, 10 touch upon those parts of
our State Government, which should most strong
! ly desire TO see changed. would not. in either
the Legislative, Executive, or Judicial Depart
nents, attempt to enter into detail or, indeed, to
give any pledges which should rrevocabiy pre-
vent future change Of opinion. l have always
considered political pledges as Objectionable: the y
do little more than trammel the mind of the repre-
sentative, and transform the sentient being into
an automaton. If the representative is honorable,
he keeps the pledges he has given; if otherwise
he iorgets them, or warps them to sui: his own
purposes The strongest assurance tho people can
have Of fidelity in their public servants, is derived
| from the general character Of the mon.
will now proceed, briefly, to enumerate tho
most important changes should wish to haze
made in the Constitution of the state. | have moi
been altogether unemployed, and for some year.
past, have been placed member of the lie.
gsisture in situations, where have had an oppor-
tunity oil observing tho operation of the Govern.
ment in all its branches, and ia the Whole course
of its action.
In the Legislative Department, would reduce
the number OF the House Of Delegates so az tc
render the system of Law-rnaking, less expensive
and more accurate than it is at present, and give
TO The Senate the power 10 originate all bills other
than money bills. The first portion of every Sc =
sion ofthe Legislature leaves the Senate with lit
tie or nothing to do-because they cannot act upon
any Bills, until they are matured by the lower
| House. This is one reason of the length of their
sessions, requiring, they have done for some
years past an annual appropriation of one hundred
and ten thousand dollars TO defray their expenses.
| In Tic Executive branch ofthe Government, 7
s9Ouli wish 90 see tBe Council IS Che State A. al
presen, gsnized, abolished and ii advisers 10 The
Governor be necessary, would have his council
formed from the Heads of the offices of Auditor and
Treasurer,wi the Attorney General ofthe State,
which would bring to the council board a mass oil
| information, seldom found in the Councils of the
State, under the present government.
| As prospects the Judiciary think some sslu-
| tary changes might be made, but l am utterly
ayerse to lesseBing the independence of the iudg
es, further than Uy making them removable from
| office, whenever, from any cause, they fail for a
length OF time, TO discharge the duties pertaining
| thereto.
| II is serious calamity in any community, when
the claims OF individuals, permitted TO sleep
upon the docket, term after term, and calamitous
IN the extreme, when the penal laws of the Com
monwealth, are for long time unexecuteG.
would, however, never make the judges the crca-
lures ofthe Legislature, nor Of the people.
The yexed question, in Virginia as to the Iimi-
taon OF the right Of suffrage, is another point, upon
which it may be desired that, should express an
opinion. i have always thought, that the Bill
Of Rights had laid down the correct principle for
the limitation OF the right OF suffrage, and should
be very unwilling to see ii extended beyond the
"men having sufficient evidence of permanent,
common interest with, and attachment to,,he Cons
munity."
You cannot in my opinion, extend the right OF
suffrage very tar, or make IL universal, without
giving an undue influence to the wealthy portion
Of tho body polite. That measure, which upon
its first blush, seems to be democratic, iu its con-
sequences, increases the influence Of the rich.
should, therefore, think IL might be expedient 10
extend the right Of suffrage, but by no means 10
make IL universal.
Having thus hastily and as briefly az possible
thrown together few The most important opin-
ions entertained by me, upon The subject Of con-
stiIutiona reform, beg, that may not be consi-
dered by any one as s6iiGipg Tire honor to which