Southern planter., 1832-10-27


Dcar Sir take pleasnfe in acknowledging,
Though the medium OF your paper, The receipt oi
a communication expressing The wishes Of res
ptciablc portion Of my fellow citizens, on the sub
ject Of submitting the constitution when amended
70 the people for their ratification or rejection -
The unequiuocady crpressed rriH ofa majority,
demands at oil times al tie hands of public SET
want one Of two things--oiiher Of an unqualified
submission to that will, O an immediate resigna-
ton Of his Office; and on the other hand, the ex-
preston Of the will Of a minority should always
command the most respectful consideration; with
these data for The guide Of my political faith, II
may easily be inferred thnt donoi consider my
self bound by the communication referred 10 above,
but that feel free to act according 20 my best
Judgment and as circumstances may dictate.
While upon this subicci, that the people whom
have the honor in part to represent, may form
some correct idea Of the course have pursued,
and expect hcrc9fier 10 pursue, IN relation to the
formation Of new constitution, will here briefly
give my views Of some important changes now un-
der consideration. And first, | will premise that
the aspect and bearings Of the new constitution,
as they now present themselves, are such that new
or can agree 70; aud here distinctly state that II
they are moi changed, or other principles ncorpo-
rated by which their ruinous consequences may be
obviaied, will not even vote for the final passage
Of the constitution subscribe il afier il is passed
-and if il cannot be in this way defeated, then
the last alternative will be TO defeat il by an cleo
IioD before the people
The most odious feature Of all was incorpora-
led last Saturday in committee of the whole, upon
Tho resolution submitted byM Runnels Of Yazoo:
I changes The Senatorial basis Of representation
rom that of free white iazablc population 10 that
# free white population alone; and thus that
lower which heretofore the nine rich river counties
lad IN tho Senate, and which for the security of
heir properly, (inasmuch as they pay more than
wo-thirds of all the taxes of the Siate) il was
quliable and night that they should have, has
een unlustly taken away nor has this satisfied The
nequal demands Of our brethren Of the North and
nc East had they been consistent with their pfip-
ipic, and placed tie basis Of representation also
pom that Of a free white population alone, then
lere would not be so much cause of complaint. |
VI they have guaIanieed TO each county ono repre-
sntause, regardless Of IFS population; thus the /
ouniy OF jones which in 1890 had but 1900 free /
me Inhabitants and 162 slaves, and paid but one !
undTedand torty-nhe dollars egh,y-six cents intoA
10 Treasury, has as much power in the House on
representatives. as the county Of Warren, whichi
os $3.50 free whites, 4505 slaves, and pays 6.O45
ollars 23 cents into the I'reasury!! The unequal
nd unjust operation sf this feature is too plarInp |
need comments it gives to the North and East /
overwhelming mslouiy in both houses of the /
legislature; and they can, il disposed, levy heavy
xes upon Nie West, against It's cdhseAi; aud when
le money Is thus raised, appropriate to purposes
aegrandizement in their own sections of the
tate
fhe next portion Of the Constitution which
'nceve to be most Objectionable is the Judicial
apartment: Hitherto have advocated the expe.
ency OF eleeiing all judicial officers by the quail
"a electors of the district OF stale but il was al
ays IN connection with the provision, that il |,
lonld require limited plurality Of not less than
ie-ihifd OF threeelghts Of the whole n1mber hfl
les given IN 10 constitute an election: the good
nse and better Judgment Of nearly balf Of The !.
ople, would thus have TO centre upon one man
order to elect hlm; and though there IS ffeouent-
much difficulty and inconvenience in eliecting an
ecilon where The successful candidate is reouIred
lave majority of the whole number of votes 1;
:, have preferred this plan to having Judge. ,
'cled by an unlimited plurality, bare lean minor.
OF perhaps no more than a tenth of the whole {
mber OF votes given in; | have therefore, uni. !
Tmly supported the plan Of requiring a majority !
often as II has been introduced, but without sue In
s.. The Judge electng-sysiem is further render |
less secure, by the taking away those guards of
ofessi0R, practice, residence aud minimum com =
'Nt'cNf NilNh WIZ lulbMh ulouuu " w the Sc q
4 'tcommittee on the judicial departmcnl-guards | 4
ch, strange 10 say, the nconsderaie among the II
ends Of the system, too confident Of IT'S native
engih, and winch its uucompromislbg enemiesN =
are ihati was protected by them, have united ID a.
moving. II Is due, however, 10 some fe.g ped- :,
men opposed 10 electirg Judges by the peopl4,
say, that though they believed the plant 10 be- II
OF slckly growth, yet finding That u was the IA N
NE OF decided majority of the convention. =,
y have eideavored with amagnauimity becom, q
the dignited station which they hold, to water l.
noursh, and sustain and support this plant =,
AZ least 10 ailOTd tia fair trial, tlat moi ony =,
Stale, but the whole world, may know whether To-
not i IS worthy Of further culture: will moi -
make invidlous distinctions by presenting. on
occasion, the names OF these gentlemen 10 the ~
hci lhelournals aud debates Of the convention Il,
e however, recorded their votes and proceed. Is
> and an intelligent public will duly appreciate -
patriotic motives by which they have been oc. wi
ne resolution offered by Mr.. Quman, more 70
TWO weeks since, The object Of which vas ~
en' The passing Of law "to raise loan oc
icy upon the credit Of the State, or 10 pIsaaa
iai'h OF the State for the payment ar rede,ns. DC
OF any loan or debr' unless such law be possad ee
wo 'hifas OF the Legislature believed ~ ~ ~, ,sI
'hpauole with the nresent agriruii,,r,l a n1'