Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-08-20
STAUNTON CONVENTION.
SrAuNroN, August Eth. 1916.

STANTON, August 18th, 1916.
Pursuant TO previous notice, the Convention as
sembled in the Federal Courtroom. Owing to
causes set forth below. i'm the Preamble and Resolu
lions 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 meet
ing were set forth and explained by ID. w. PArrE-
SON, esq In a brief, but forciblo manner. Col.
Patteson concluded his remarks by nominating as
President of the Convention ZAcHARIAH JACOBS,
esq. OF Wheeling. Whereupon, Mr.. Jacobs was
unanimously elected President of this Convention,
and took his seat
On motion, it was Resolved, That this Convon-
ton proceed to the election of three Vice Presi-
dents.
The following gentlemen Were elected
Dr. 5. NJ HUNTER, of the county Of Rocking
ham, LIST Vice President.
WIN. KINNEY, esq. of Staunon, 2nd Vice Pre-
s.dent.
WIN. You've, esq. Of the county Of Augusta, 3rd
Vice President.
On motion, it was Resolved, That this Conven-
ton proceed to the election of one principal Secre-
tary and two assistant Secretaries
Inc following gentlemen were elected:
CHAPMAN JOHNSON, jr. esq. Principal Secretary.
JOHN ~. lMBoDEN, esq. LIST Assistant Secretary.
VIM III. HARTMAN, esq. End Assistant Secretary.
On motion of ID. W. Pateson, esq it was Re
solved, That the President appoint committee of
three to prepare and report as practicable,
eislness for the action of this Convention.
- Whereupon, the following gentlemen Were APP
pointed the committee
George f.. Dcneale, esq, DIR. James ID. David
son, and Vincent f. Geiger, esq.
On motion, the President of the Convention was
added to, and made Chairman of the committee,
and Chapman Johnson, jr. esq. was also added
thereto.
The committee retired to their room, and during
their absence the Convention was addressed at some
length by Col. Pateson and Hugh w. Shelley,
esq, on the great and important subject of reform
in our existing Constitution. They both urged in
the strongest terms the great Importance of the
adoption of active and efficient measures by the
people of the West, to procursthe passage of a law
by the Legislature authorizing the call of State
Convention, 10 remodel and reform the Constitution.
They presented cOgent arguments to show, that the
West may still hope to at distant day such
Convention based upon white population alone-the
only true republican basis of representation. Be
fore Mr.. Shelley had concluded his remarks, the
committee returned and reported the following pre-
amble and resolutions, which. after considerable
discussion as to the time and place of holding the
Convention contemplated in the second resolution
were unanimously adopted by the Convention. ex-
cept the second resolution, which fixes the time of
holding the Convention--three or four members
preterlng some day in July lS47.-Ihe resolution
was passed, however, by very large majority.
Whereas, various causes-such the su9geS-
hons made in the Richmond and other papers in the
this Convention till the month of December next,
and to change the place of meeting TO the city of
Richmond, and the uncertainty in the minds of the
people as to the fact whether 4 Convention was to
be held at ALL in accordance with the proposal %
the primary meeting in the county Of Berkeley in
April last-fiave conspired 10 prevent full aten-
dance Of the friends of Constitutional Reform i'm
THIS Convention; and whereas this Convention, not
being composed of representatives from the whole
people, does not feel disposed to act upon any of the
grave questions proposed TO be submitted TO this
body, and being satisfied to adopt such measures as
shall ensure a full meeting of the friends of Con
sututlonal Reform, at future day
Therefore, be it Resolved, LIST. That Messrs.
Thomas }. Niche, William Kinney, and David
W+Patteson, be appointed committee TO prepare
an address to the people Of Virginia, setting forth
the oppressive operation OF our State Constitution
on large masses OF our fellow citizens and the ne
cesslty Tor change in the same, and to urge upon
those friendly to Constitutional Reform the impor-
tance OF full meeting of delegates at the Conven-
non proposed in the next succeeding resolution.
Resolved, 2nd That Convention of the friends
81 reform from the various counties of the State,
in the East as well as in the West be held in the
town OF Staunton, on Wednesday the 2nd day of
december next, to deliberate on the most suitable
course to be adopted to secure the important objects
we have in view
Resolved, 3rd. That Jno b. Breckenridge Levi
j.. Stevenson, Chapman johnson, jr., Hugh w.
Sheffey, j. ID. Imboden, Jno. b. Watts, and VIM.
H. Hartman, be appointed Central Committee of
correspondence at Staunton whose duty it shall be
to correspond with the friends of Reform in the diff
ferent counties, to urge such considerations as shall
most conduce to procure full expression of public
opinion in the Convention to be held in December
next, and to request the friends of Convention to
appoint committees of vigilance in their respective
counties.
On motion Of Capt. Watts the thanks of the
Convention returned to its officers for the
faithful discharge of their duties.
On motion, it was Resolved, That the proceed
ings OF this Convention be published in the news
papers published in the town of Stanton, with a
request that all other papers throughout tie State
copy them.
On motion, the Convention adjourned
ZACHARIAH JACOBS, President.
CHAPMAN Johnson JR.1
j. ID. IMBoDEN, and Secretaries.
WIN. III. HARTMAN,