The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-24

The E1scrfire power Is vested IN Gorsrnoy, and
COAnfu 81 Stale Consisting OF three members, any
one OF whom may ACT and With whom i isibe duly
81 the Governor "a consult before exercising any
discretionary power conferred on him By the con-
aituiion and laws. The senior counsellor Is Lieu
tenant Governor, and 10 case OF the Governors
death or other disability acts as Governor. The
qualifications for Governor arctic be thirty years
o. age native or citizen OF The United States a.
The adoption Of the Federal Constitution, and Eve
years next preceding his election resident OF the
STATE, he may hold the Office three years, but Is
ineligible for the next three succeeding years. His
compensation, fixed by law, can neither be Increased
nor diminished during his continuance In office. II
member elect die, remove or resign, during the
recess ofthe General Assembly il Is the Governors
duty TO direct writ Of election 10 supply the va
cancy. He is the Commanders in-chiei OF the land
and naval forces Of the Slate power and is re-
quired TO convene the Legislature on extraordinary
occasions; 10 communicate 10 the Legislature the
condition Of the State, and 20 recommend such mea-
sures as he may deem expedien,; TO embody the
militia, when The public safety requires II TO grant
reprieyes and pardons except for treason and cases
OF impeachment 10 conduct all intercourse with
other and foreign Slales 10 transact all necessary
business (impediy) with the officers OF government,
and to expedite measures resolved on by The Legis
lature; TO see the laws faithfully executed, aud dur
ing the recess OF the Legislature, to M pro temporc,
all vacancies In those Offices which the Legislature
Is required 10 ill permanently, but BY commissions
to expire al the end OF the next succeeding session
Of the General Assembly.
The judicial power Is vested In Supreme Court
OF Appeals In such superior courts as The Legisla-
lure may from time 10 time ofdain and establish,
and the Judges thereof In The County Courts and in
Justices OF ne Peace; and In such jurisdiction as
the Legislature may think fit TO confer ON corpora
lion courts, and the Magistrates who may belong TO
The corporate body The tenure OF judicial Office is
GOOD BEHAVIOR, and the Judges Of Appeals
and Of the Superior Courts Of law and Chancery,
are disaiowed 10 hold any other public trust APP
poiniment under pain Of thereby vacatlng the judi
cial Office They elected BY the joint vote OF the
two houses Of the General Assembly. Their sala-
res cannot be diminished (BuT OUGHT NOW TO BE IN
cREAsED) during their continuance In Office. The AT
tofney General is appointed in like manner COM
missioned by the Governor, and holds his Office
during The pleasure Of the General Assembly
The Judges may be removed from or deprived of
Office by three modes only, to wit: by impeach-
ment; by a concurrent vote 81 both houses Of the
General Assembly, In which two-thifds of the
members present must concur; and by law abolish
ing court IL two-thirds of the members of each
house present concur 10 lis passage. Other judicial
dulles mag be assigned to the Judge OF court abo-
lished by less number Of the acting members of
the General Assembly. They may model and re-
model, until the courts are complicated and uncer-
tain as the statutes of The State bur they can by
other mode deprive Judge OF his Office
we deem u unimportant to our Interior purposes,
TO be more full, or rather, more minute in our
position OF the Constitution OF Virginia No impor-
tan feature Of IT, however is omitted in this hastily
prepared sketch Of 1t, we believe.
we shall hereafter prepare an exposition of the
objects OF State Legislation, with view to ascer-
tain and define State RigAks.