Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-04

by the amended constitution Of Virginia.
the provision Of the federal constitution
which was designed for the choie State,
is made to apply to each Congressional
District; SO that Eastern Virginia with
less than majority of the free white 2o-
pulatlon OF the State, has nine Repressn.
taiives in Congress out Of fifteen, and in
Fact has three representatives by reason
oil her slaves, more than she is entitled to.
This meeting protests against that pro.
vision Of the Virginia Constitution, as un-
just and unequal and as against the mean
ing and spirit OF the federal constitution.
Resolred therefore, That the Oh section
Of the 3D. article of the Virginia constitu.
ton ought TO be abrogsted.
And whereas, 10 the opinion of this
meeting, the mode in which the chief ma
gistrate Of the Commonwealth is chosen,
is anti-repubican and ought to be chang.
ed: under the present constitution, the
chief Executive officer is not only appoin-
ted without any direct agency OF the peo-
pie, and ordinarily the individual selected
is one of whose character and fitness for
the Office the people had no previous
knowledge: and whereas, also, the advl.
sorry or Executive council is in the opin
ion of this meeting utterly useless, if not
perncious, body expensive to the State
and without power or responsibility:
Resolved therefore, That it is expedient
to reform the Constitution, so as to render
the Governor elective by the people. and
that the Executive Council be abolished.
And whereas, in the opinion of this
meeting, the county court system is defec.
tive, and requires to be reformed, the fact
that there exists a body of funciionaries,
clothed with vast powers, whose influence
is felt throughout the whole community,
even to the firesides and every day trans
actions oflfe of the citizens, should in a
republican government not only be inje.
pendent Of the people for their appoint.
ment 10 Office, but should have the power
oil perpetuating their own body. and thus
at their mere will, to contne the Office to
their relatives and friends, or to a re-
ligious sect or political party, is an ano-
y
advocate of republican government with
surprise, and independent of the anti-re-
publican mode Of appointing that body,
there exists another evil that calls loudly
for reform. The power to impose taxes
upon the people, can rightfu'ly only exist
in the Legislative branch of the Govern.
ment, by the consent Of the people through
their Representative, yet the power is
given By hGic to the respective county
courts, of no: only imposing tax upon
the people, but OF apporiating the tax prac.
ticallv at their pleasure, and the tax is in
its nature, unequal odious aud unjust,
and often oppressive; it is a capitatlon tax,
and we hold tina. all taxes ought to be i'm
posed upon the citizens with regard to
the benefits they respectively received
from the Government, that the citizen
who has large property 10 be protected,
should pay tax in proportion TO the a
mount of protection he receives, and it is
unjust and unequal that tho poor man
should pay the same amount Of tax, that
the man Of wealth ought 10 pay, and yet
the system Of taxation that prevails 10 the
county courts compels the man who la.
bors for daily bread, to pay the same a.
mount of tax that the rich man pays, and
which tax is designed mainly 10 enhance
the value OF the rich mans property.
Resolved, Therefore, Tha, the mode o.
appointment of Justices of the Peace,
should be changed so as 10 render them
more directly responsible to the people
and that their powers and duties be limited
and defined.
And whereas, in the opinion Of this
meeting, as the political power Of the
Government ought to vest equally in the
free white population of the State; so the
right to choose representatives, ir the legis-
atlve branch Of TIE Government, ought
TO be extended TO all the adult native male
citizens of the State. who are not dsquali
fed by crimes or other legal disabilities
This meeting avows the principle that il
is the brhright of every native born Vir-
gilman, to exercise a choice in the selec-
tion o6 the Representatives who are TO
make lalcs for his government, aud that to
deprive him ofthe right Of suffrage is IN.
Just aud tyrannical. This meeting is also
Of opinion that all citizens Of the United
States, who come among us to reside,
and who have resided in the county or
district where they propose to vote, year,
and has been subjected TO the payment of
taxes and other civil duties, are entitled
to tie right of suffrage.
Resolued therefore, That the existing
constitution ought TO be so amended, as
to extend the right suffrage 10 all adult
male free white and native born citizens.
and to oil other adult male free white per-
sons, citizens Of the United States, who
have resided liz the State year, and
have rendered themselves amenabe 10 the
laws and subject TO the burdens Of citizens
of the State.
And Resolred, That the delegate elect
from this county, andihe Senator from this
District, be and they are hereby instructed
TO use their efforts to procure the passage
OF law at the next session of the Legs
lature, providing for the call Of conven-
ton to reform the constitution of the State.
On motion Of Luther Raymond,
Resolved, That the proceedings of this