The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-24
From The Petersburg Iateiiigeneer.
THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.

THE OBJECTS AND EXTENT or STATE LEGISLATION.
In dscoursing very briefly, on the Constitution Of
this Commonwealth, we shall aim TO compass and
convey readers an accurate idea Of merely an
outline Of IFS principles.
To this Constitution Il prefixed Bill OF Rights
considered g as the basis Of government" which
sets forth the imprescrp,ble rights OF man. and most
Of the valuable and essential incidents and immuni
ties OF civil and political liberty.
By It's first aric e, Il Is declared and ordained ina,
the three great departments Of all well organized
governments to wit the Legislative, The E1scntipe
and the judicial shall be constituted and kept sepa-
rate and distinct each from the other, expect that
Justices OF the Peace may be elected TO the Legisa-
ture.
The Legislative power Is vested in General As
semby comprising two distinct branches, 10 wit: a
House Of Delegates, consisting OF one hundred and
Ihirtyfour members annually elected for and by the
several specified countless cities, towns, boronghs,
and election districts Of the Commonwealth; and
Senate consisting Of thirtytwo members elected BY
districts which are divided into four classes Cat first
Numbered by lot) one Of which is annually displac-
ed in due order and the eight vacancies are sup
piled from such division by the new election. To
be elected TO either branch Of the Legislature, the
person must be- Tito the Senate, thirty years OF age
and II to the House of Delegates, twenty-five; and
in either case, resident and freebooter within the
county, &C., or election district: and all such per-
sons, being qualified 10 vote Tor members OF the Ge-
neral Assembly, according 10 this constitution, may
be SO elected, except persons holding lucrative
OlceS, anu ministers Oh the EOSpeI ana pTJestS Oh
every denomination who are excluded from cleo
tion TO either branch Of the General Assembly and
except also, all persons, who since the statute pass
ed Isl of March, 1881, and authorized by this Con-
stitution, heve been engaged in fighting duel, by
sending or accepting challenge, or by knowingly
being the bearer Of such challenge acceptance or
by being second to either party, or BY aiding or
assisting in any manner In duel the probable issue
Of which may be the death Of The challenger or
challenged all such men are disqualified to hold or
ho fr,o of rn6t fruS
civil or military, Legislative, executive or judicial
under thr government of this commonwealth Each
branch Of the General Assembly, thus constituted,
and required to meet together once year at least
majority OF each forming quorum, with authority
to adjourn from day to day, and TO compel the at
tendance OF absent members but denied the power to
adjourn, during the session, for more than three
days. without the consent of the other, or TO any
other place than that in which the two houses ale
sittng,--has power 10 choose its own speaker, 70
appoint Its officers to settle its rules OF proceed
ing to punish its members for dsordery conduct TO
Judge Of the election, qualification, and returns OF
its members, and to direct wrs OF election for me
supplying Of immediate vacancies. The members
of the Assembly receive a compensation for their
services which can only be increased BY statute 10
take effect at the end of the next annual session al
ter its passage No member Of either house can ac-
cept, or be appointed to, any civil office OF proht
under the commonwealth, which is created, or the
salary Of which is increased, during the term for
which he was elected, unless he be elected TO It BY
the people. A decennial reapportionment by the
Legislature, of the representation OF the counties,
&c. and Of the election districts, is required 10 wit
in 1871, and every ten years thereafter; but by it.
the number OF neither Delegates nor Senators, from
the for "great districts" or the t,ro great divi-
sons Of the Stale, in the Constitution designated,
shall either be increased diminished; and when
new county Is created, or the population of an old
one has increased, if need be, to reapportion the
whole representation Of the great district containing
such new enlarged county, &c. or election dis
4 n A.. Ste
adequate representation decennial reapportion-
men Of Delegates and Senators, Is likewise requir
ed but the number of Delegates is at no time TO
exceed one hundred and fifty nor Of Senators thirty
six An apportionment, as near as may be, amongst
the several counties &c. of the number Of repre-
sentaiives to which the State may, al any tinle be
entitled in the Congress Of the United States Is like
wise required and to be determined BY adding to the
number OF white persons, including those bound 10
service for term of years, and excluding Indians
not taxed, three. fiffhs Of all other persons.
In all elections TO any Office place Of trust, ho-
nor or profit the voters are required to be given r'ra
roce; and all laws, TO originate in the House OF
Delegates to be approved or rejected by The Senate
or to be amended with the consent of the former
Anv suspension Of the writ Of habeas corpus, the
passage OF any bill of aainder, or ca post fdcfo law
or law imparing the obligation OF contracts, or
abridging the freedom Of the press or OF speech or
law whereby private property shall be taken Tor pub
lie uses without Just compensation, are expressly
interdicted; and religious freedom Is secured.
| The Governor and Judges and all others onend-
ing against the State, BY any bigh crime or mlsae-
| meanor, are impeachable blythe House OF DELEGATES
| and trable by the Senate on oath or affirmation
| two-thirds thereof necessary to conviclion-ludg
| ment not 10 extend further than TO displacement
from, and disqualification TO- enjoy office under the
commonwealth--the party convicted, however, sub
ect TO Indictment, trial. judgment, and punishment,
according to law.
| The qualification TO vote in elections Of members
TO the General Assembly, or, in other words, ne
L y,Un ofe 1Hr ig rtad ar afh VIE nd
TO- lst freehold of the value Of S25 or ar interest
to one equivalent to it; or, 3D. reversinnary inte-
rest Of $50 in value; Sd, the ownership and actual
| occupation Of a leasehold estate, with the evidence
of title recorded two months before offering to vote,
| Of term originally not less than five years and Of
the annual value or rent OF $40; or, 4h TO be enti
4 tied 10 vote the person must have been for the pre-
ceding twelve months housekeeper and the head
Of family, and have been assessed with part OF
/ the revenue Of the State within the preceding year,
/ and have actually paid the same. Either Of these
/ qualifications confers the right TO vote where the
land lies, or the housckeeper and head Of family
/