Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-08-27
STANTON CONVENTION.
STAUNToN, August l7th.


STANTON, August Eth, 1916.
! Pursuant to previous notice, the Stanton
Convention assembled at the Federal Court
room. Owing TO causes set forth below, in
! the Preamble and Resolutions reported to, and
adopted by the Convention, it was not so fully
attended as had been anticipated by the friends
/ OF reform. The objects of the meeting were
set forth and explained by ID. w. PATTEsoN.
! Esq. in brief, but forcible manner. Col. PAT
TEsoN concluded his remarks by nominating
as President of the Convention ZAcHARIAH ia
coBs, Esq. Of Wheeling -Whereupon, Mr..
JACOBS was unanimously elected President Of
! this Convention, and took his seat.
On motion, il was Resolved. That this
Convention proceed to the election of three Vice
/ Presidents.
| The following gentlemen Were elected:
| DIR. S. M. HUNTER, Of the county of Rock
ingham, LIST Vice President.
VIM. KINNEY, Esq, of Staunton, 2nd Vice
President.
WM. You've, Esq. Of the county Of Angus
ia, Sd Vice President.
On motion, it was Resolved, That this Con-
venton proceed TO the election of one principal
Secretary and two assistant Secretaries.
| The following gentlemen were elected:
CHAPMAN JOHNSON, jr. Esq. Principal Sec
rotary.
JOHN d. lMBopEN, Esq. LIST Assistant Sec
retary..
WIN. II. HARMAN, Esq. 2nd Assistant Sec
rotary.
On motion of d. w PArrEsoN, Esq. it was
Resolved, That the President appoint com
mttee of three to prepare and report as soon as
practicable, business 70. the action Of this Con
vention.
Nhereupon, the following gentlemen were
appointed the committee:
| GEORGE E. DENEALE, ESD, DIR. JAMES d.
DAVIDSON, and VINCENT L. GEiGER, Esq.
On motion, the President of the Convention
was added to, and made Chairman of the com
mittee, and CHAPMAN JOHNSON, jr. Esq. was
also added thereto.
The committee retired 10 their room, and du-
ring their absence the Convention was address
sed at some length by Col. PATERSON and
HuGH w. SHEFFEY, Esq, on the great and
important subject Of re,orm in our existing
Constitution. They both urged in the strong
est terms the importance OF the adoption of ac-
tive and efficient measures by the people OF the
West, to procure the passage OF law by the
Legislature authorizing the call of State Con
vention, to remodel and reform the Constitu-
ton. They presented cogent remarks to show,
that the West may still hope TO see at no dis
population alone--the only true republican ba-
sis of representation. Before Mr. SHEFFEY
had concluded his remarks, the committee re-
turned and reported the following preamble
and resolutions, which, after considerable dis
cusslon as 10 the time and place of holding the
Convention contemplated in the second resolu
tlon, We're unanimously adopted by the Con
ventlon. except the second resolution, which
likes the time of holding the Convention
three or four members preierring some day IN
July lS47. The resolution was passed, how
ever, by very large majority.
Whereas, various causeS-Such as the sug-
gestions made in the Richmond and other pa
pers IN the State 10 postpone the time for the
assembling OF this Convention till the month
of December next, and 10 change the place Of
meeting to the city Of Richmond, and the I'M
certainty in the minds Of the people as to the
fact whether Convention was to be held at
all, in accordance with the proposal of the pri-
mary meeting in the county OF Berkeley in
April last-have consplred to prevent full
attendance Of the friends OF Constitutional Re
form in this Convention and whereas tins
Convention, not being composed Of repreSen-
tatves from the whole people, does not feel dis
posed to act upon any of the grave questions
proposed to be submitted 10 this body, and be-
ensure full meeting of the friends of Con
stltutona Reform, at a future day
Therefore, be it Resolved. lst. That Messrs.
THOMAS ]. Niche, WILLIAM KINNEY, and
DAVID w. PATERSON, be appointed commit
mIttee to prepare an address TO the people of
Virginia, setting forth the oppressive operation
of our Stale Constitution on large masses of our
fellow citizens, and the necessity for change
IN the same, and to urge upon those friendly to
Constitutional Reform, the Importance of a
full meeting Of delegates at the Convention
proposed in the next succeeding resolution.
Resolved, End. That a Convention Of the
friends of Reform from the various counties of
the State, in the East as well as in the West,
be held in the town of Siaunton, on Wednes
day the End day OF December next, 10 deliberate
on the most suitable course 10 be adopted 10 Sc
cure the important objects we have in view.
Resolved, Sd. That JNo. b. BREcKINRIDGR,
LEVI l.. STEVENSON, CHAPMAN JOHNSON, IT,,
HuGH w. SHEFFEy, J. ID. lMBoDEN, JNo. b.
WATTS, and VIM. H. HARMAN, be appointed
a central Committee Of correspondence al
Staunton. whose duty it shall be to correspond
with the friends of Reform in the different
counties. to urge such considerations. as shall
most conduce TO procure full expression of
pubic opinion in the Convention TO be held in
December next, and 10 request the friends OF
Convention to appoint committees OF vigilance
in their respective counties.
On motion of Capt WATTS the thanks Of
the Convention We're returned TO It's officers Tor
the faithful discharge of their duties.
On motion, il was Resolved, That the pro-
ceedings OF this Convention be published in the
newspapers published IN the town ofStaunton,
with request that all other papers throughout
the State copy them.
On motion. the Convention adjourned.
ZACHARlAH JACOBS, President.
CHAPMAN JOHNSON, JR.
J. ID. lMBopEN, and Secretaries.
II III