Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-05

oronosed TO the old Constitution by the late
E invention. which we have found leisure to
prepare, will probably be acceptable to many
of our Virginia readers:
THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
The House of Delegates is reduced from 2l4
10 1874 members; and sead Of being liable,
as ct present, to indefinite Increase BY the tor
NATION of new counties, can, under no olTcum.
stances, exceed so members.
Hitherto each county has been entitled 10
TWO delegates, and each borough TO one. by
the new Constitution, the three largest coun
ties in the State are required 10 elect three de !.
legaies each; the twenty five next largest, TWO;
sixty-seven Of the remainder, and three OF the
boroughs, ons; and one is assigned to each OF
the election districts, composed OF the counties
Of Lancaster and Richmond; Of Matthews and
Middlesex; Of Elizabeth City and Warwick; OF
New Kent and Charles City; and OF York and
james City, including the ancient borough OF
Williamsburg
| The Senate is increased from twenty-four to
thirty Two members, and ca1 never exceed
thirty six. For the election Of these, The eoun-
try ives, Of the Blue Ridge is divided into thlr-
teen districts, aud the country cas-, into nine
teen.
The Legislature is required, onre in ten
years, to re appor'ion the representation IN
both branches of the Legislature; but is prohi
bited, without the concurrence OF TWO thirds OF
both, from asing the humble Dol either. or
disturbing The exac, proportions now establish
| ed between certain arbitrary divisions OF the
State.
| The minimum age Of Senator is changed
| from IS 10 so years, and ofa Delegate from Q /
10 IS. And all persons holding lucrative Off
ces, as well as ministers Of the gospel and
priests Of every denomius alton. are specially ex
cluded from seat in either branch Of the LIE
| gislature
The restriction on the Senate, in relation to
amendments to money bills, is removed; and
its presen, prac ice Of adjourning, with view
to the personal convenience OF its members.
pruhibitrd.
| Suitable restrictions are imposed on the le-
eislative power in various respects-suth as
increasing the pay Of its members, Grazing
off ers, or adding 20 their emoluments I, ON
interested motives, &c &c. &c.
The Legislature is expressly authorized to
| pass law, in accordance with the spirit and
provisions of the prrsen, duellng law; and an
| amnesty is extended 10 all those who have oil.
Tended against the existing law.
The s. nate is made Cour, of Impeachment
for all officers offending against The State.
TINE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
The Governor is, rs heretofore, TO be elected
by the legislature; but instead Of bring elected
annually, will hold his fl for three years,
and be Ineligible Tor three SCARS thereafter. He
mus BE- at least thirty years Of age, and besides
having re sided sve years in the State, mus be
a naive Of The Unite S'a'es. unless he shall
have been citizen thereof a, The time of the
adoption Of the Federal Constitution.
The Council OF S ate is reduced from eigh
10 three members; and instead oil con rolling
the Governor, can only advise him in the e1rr
else Of his discretionary powers.
THE JUDICIARY
The Court OF Appeals and The Coun'y Courts
alone are retained as Constitutional Cours.-
An the others, wrther Chancery or Common
Law, are left 10 the discr elton OF the L-gI,la
ture. All Judges. however, when once ap
pointed, are to hold their Off, rs during good
behav our, and to he removed, neither directly
nor indirectly, excep, by the ooncurren, vote
Of wo>'hlrds Of he members present OF both
House, Of me General Assembly
III, Attorney General is % hold his Office ct
the pt asure Of hi Legislature-and 'hr Clerks
efCour's theirs, al the pleasure Of their re.
spectve Courts
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Right Of Soff ,ge continues in those who
have heretofore exercised il, and i, ex "nded L"
every resident white male cit zen OF 81 years Of
age aud upa ards, posse ssing free hold Of The
value OF S25. or bring entitled 20 reversion or
vested rem nder IN fee, in life esta'e Of the
value OF $50 or having = leasehold estate, with
title recorded two months before hand,) OF a
term originally no, less than FIVE years, of he
annual value Of $40, or having been for twelve
mon hs house kec per aud head Of famiIy in
the county, ard having been assessed with, and
paid part of he revenue OF the Commons
wealth, WITHIN the preceding year
In all elections. legislative as we'll as popular,
,he votes are 10 be given openly or viva voce,
and no, by ballot.
1t is made the duty IF he Legislature here
after to appor,ion the Rrpresen aives in Con.
grrss amongst the different sections Of the
State, not in proportion 10 their while popula
ton or their qualified voters, out to what is
called their Federal numbers.
All persons in Office, are to continue in
Off e till successors shall be a6poin,ed or the