Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-02-18


late, it viii, no doubt, be read by our patron
with interest The views which the write
has 'taken is perfectly'in accordance with oul
own. We think 1t the decided policy Of th'
West TO vote forthe New Constitution. First
because il contains many beneficial reforms
and, secondly. because IT INCREASES its rels-
tive political weight and enables It at SOM
future day to assert more efIectually, the pro
perbasis sfrepresentation. Revolutions wher
not eifcctedby violence and tloodshed, mus.
De gradual. No one viii question bat that
the adoption of the New Constitution is the
policy Of the Valley.
RICHMOND. Jan. Is, 1880
Dew Sir:-The amended Constitution wa.
last night about O'Clock passed by s,e Con
vsntion. The vote standing upon its final
passage 81 to 40 All the members except
ne Doddrdge were present, he having been
for several days confined by severe ami
threatening indisposition. The Eayt gene
rally voted for the Consdtution-The West
against It, There were somr exceptions how
ever. Mr. Stanard Of the Eastern party vo
ted against it, bccaese in his opinion 1t rob
bed the East Of an 'indue portion of power
Mr.. Cooke OF the West voted for it, bfIiev
ing moreover that ii introduced many saluta
~ reforms, favorabl- to the true interests of
the People
BY some this vote OF Mr. Cookies upon the
final passage Of the Constitution will he cen
sured.-But think when the situation Of the
State is considered--when the difficulties
which embarrassed this question is known.
whes it is perceived that it is the best ,ol.ich
could al this time be Standardization moreover
the new Constitution itself is reviewed in com
parison with the miserable affair under which
we have been living for half century there
VIII he found much to excuse, II not fully to
justify ano vindicate the manly and indepen-
dant course which he has pursued. All who
know him, know that his head is clear and
his heart sound IN the absence Of other con
celebrations | should be disposed to defer much
70 that vigour and sagacity of intcllect---to
that purity of purpose---integrity of heart,
and unshakeD independence of character
which have distinguished the past history of
JoBs r. COOKE.
The amended Constitution ia certainly not
such as the West had right TO demand
Representation upon the basis of the free
white inhabitants of the State being the only
basis compatible with the genius, or rec opcile
able with the principles Of our government.--
Bat sinking that question for the present in
che expcdient,I will not call ii a compromise,
which has been resorted to, IN viii admit
that the Constitution contains many impor-
tant and beneficial changes. which ii becomes
the people-aye, the people, and not inter
ested polihcians-to ponder well upon before
they reject Among the important reforms
introduced. are the following:
l. II reduces the members Of the General
Assembly serenity t,co: thus saving to the peo-
pie an annual amount Of $4,000, besides
greatlv facilitating the despatch of business
2. 1t abolishes the controlling Council of
eight, and establishes an advisa,y Council of
but three; thus framing the Council more in
accordance with correct principles, while it
saves an annual expenditure OF $4,000.
8. II extends the elective franchise to per
haps fifty thousand freemen who were before
debarred from the exercise Of that sacred and
inestimable right. This extension was not So
far as should have wished to have seen it
carried;--itis, however, an important victory
achieved over deep-rootcd pre- JUDGE, and it
should not be lightly given up
1t considerably increases the relative DO
htlcal weight of the West in the House OF
delegates, and gives to the Middle district
i mean the country from the Allegheny to the
head of tide water, including the Valley, a
pr ponderating influence in the councils of
the State
.. II increases the responsibility of the
Judges, making them removable by vote of
two hirds of the General Assembly,
tputs It in the power OF the Legislature
to abolish the present District Courts of
thaneery and substitute a Judicial System
more favorable to the interests and feeling.
OF the people.
Z. II removes the whole Bench Of the pre-
sent Judges, enabling US, at one time to get
nd OF sach as originally crept in by family
influence or personal intrigue or have become
unit and incapable since their appointment
8 II conters on the legislature the power
of determining the tenure OF etfice Of the
Clerks Of the Courts
3. 1t relieves from the pains and proscrip-
uon oian oppressive and unconstitutional law,
many whose only crime was proper respect
Tor their honor and regulations
BESIDES many other beneficial reforms which
yoAMiil see by the draft which send YOU.
Ii asked, IF am satisfied with the New
Constitution? answer unhesitatingly No
There are many important features which |
should hike To see engralted upon that instra-
meRt which have been rejected But com
pared with the old Constitution can hesitate
which to PREFER Certainly not The single
fact that by the New Constitution the judi
cial System will he remedied, and fifty thou
sand citizens admitted to the privileges effree-
men. would with mcD be decisive What
have the West TO gain by rejecting it? They
no boil Al, 4 -