The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-08
The Kentucky Constitutional Convention
OUR FRANKFORT CORRESPONDENCE.


of a Circus Co., &c.
The convention have, this day, after discussion
Of nearly three weeks duration, got out of commit
Zee of the whole on an article in relation to the Court
of Appeals. And yet, after the almost lnnumerabe
propositions to amend, and never-endlng discus
son, the article has not been changed from what
il was when first reported by the committee to
whom the subject was referred / have hereto
lore given you the report.
You are aware, undoubtedly, that under the pre-
sent constitution of Kentucky the mode of voting
IL BY viva uocs. The committee on the Court Of
Appeals, in the article reported by them, to which
Jhave just referred, propose to adopt the ballot
system, far the election of judges is concern
ed. To this have no idea that the convention
will assent, and expect TO listen to formidable
discussion Of the principle tomorrow or next day.
We had a slight foretaste OF 1t to-day.
Mr. BULLrTT opposed the ballot tending to induce
the people, to resort to deceit and ulation,
frsnIness ana independence No man should BE- afraid
to up boldly and eaessy to the polls and, with
out fear or favor openly express In the exercise OF his
preference The ballot MT Bullitt characterized rs
ene.kDg cowsrdly sheep killing dog free State me-
thod OF voting, to which ne desired to the
free and independent Ksntucksn resort. Under the
Of its concealment he spprshsnded the enamel
petonits would epdeavor to carry out those schemes
which public opinion brought to bear in the pre-
sent mode of voting, now restrained them from at.
prefer that the power of appointment to Office much
he desired that 1t should be returned to the people,
should BE- vested in the Governor the Legislature or
the Prince Of Darkness himself
And here permit me to call your attention TO one
fact You will see, from this Speech that the sla:
very question Is the all absorbing one In the mind
of every member In the convention, and that such
Is their jealousy and opposition to every measure
that even has the appearance OF or can be tortured
into the appearance Of yielding to the feeling OF
emancipation, that il leads Them to distrust of,
and opposition to, any thing that looks like
ncvstion upon their established custom.
MIR w c. MARSHALL sustained the position assumed
by Mir B., and in about tse same tram Of argument.
There idea he gave expression to, which for
lost Speaking Of the influence exerted by the land
lord his tenant through the system OF r'pd voee
pAlutsry one, which ought not to be destroyed
Col PREsToy, Of Louisville who Is the originator OF
the ballot proposition in the convention Piled In
defence Of the system, in most eloquent and forcibe
train q remarks Referring to the remark OF Mr. Mar
shall In reference to the influence OF the landlord and
the tenant he apply demonstrated IL to be the idea
which Influenced the English aristocracy In maintain
ing the rpa stem that land by the relation Of
phian and English noblsman. 1t was at the time Of
She agitation Of the reform bill in Parliament when the
effort being the pton Of the
by ballot. The Engli.hmsu inquired Of Mr Bingham
the practical working OF the system In the Unted
States Mr. Bingham detailed to him it's practical work
ipgr, when the sstopished nobeman replied
sYesn was the reply that Is the intention Of the
ballot to them in the exercise Of that privilege,
they desire It, without OF moestA
ton" oh ssid hs can never for that-it will
do" Col Preston pointed out the practical evils
OF the r,ra roes System the manner In when voters
under IL were browbesten aud overawed at the polls;
and its nconveniencs where large number Of cSndi
datas TO be vsted for And 80 far no said from
being emancipation movement II WAS one OF the
dpsi Of reform advanced by the great ultra
prossvery convention which assembled In Frankfort
In February last.
BEN HAIprr was also opposed to the introduction Of
the ballot mainly the ground that 1t led to fraud
ON the people could read through tbs imposi-
tion them Of they really did desire This
was clearly Argument showing the necessity Of ths
diffusion Of eduestion among the people, rather than
IN objection to the ballot.
Messrs. C. A. wIckLpFr and Guthrie sustained the
srum pbantly sustained the sysssm wherever it has
been adopted and all concentrated In the great prnc
Of the right OF suffrage from the inausnce and perss
cution Of the powerful and the wealthy.
There was no vote taken which could be COAST
defed as indicative OF the sense OF the convention
on the principle, although the expression was de-
cidedly against the adoption OF the ballot The
question will come up again, when the vote Is to
be taken on agreeing with the committee Of the
whole in their report.
hear that the committee slavery likely
TO report a clause, prohibiting the Immigration o
free negroes to the State, the penalty Of being
sold into bondage. The adoption of this, and the
provision that no man shall be allowed to emanci
pate his slaves without irst making provision fol
their removal from the State, will most eilectually
prevent the future increase OF that class oi the po
pnlaon. And for this the abolition fanatics OF the
North have also to thank themselves, and their I'M
ceasing assaults on the slave States and their
nights OF property.
The Circuit Court system comes up ne xt for con-
slderation, and will probably be taken up before
the article In relation 10 the Court of Appeals is
finally disposed OF, with view TO the harmonious
blending Of the system.
Every day affords evidences Of a determination
on the part OF those opposed TO constitutional re-
the office holders and their ~ mpat hsers-to
defeat n possible, the constitution before the
people The last scheme have heard proposed,
Is 10 create impression that the instrument will
be party one and thereby array the political pre-
JUDGES OF the people, predominatngly whlg,
against IL. To the attainment Of this end no
will be left uniurDed. One can hardly be sur
pnsed that those now In the enjoyment OF Office,
holding, as most OF them do, under life terms,
should object TO being thus rudely disturbed IN
their quiet feeding al the public crib. This sur
prise IL not increased al all, IN view OF the asser-
tion by MIR. X. n. Wicklile, that II so noio-
nous and so well understood as TO be no longer a
matter Of reprosch 10 Kentucky, that all the Offices
IN the State were the subject Of bargain and sale
III Is but reasonable 10 supposed that the purchasers
would desire to have the foil benefit Of their bar
gains.
The weather here has bsen, and is, at this pre-
cent writing, of the most delightful character
Little or no frost has visited this region as yet
As this is one Of the finest sections of country in
the country, II presents many an interesting scene
for ride or a ranble. A stroll to the beautiful
rural cemetery Of the town is one of the most at
tractive that ! have met with anywhere The
cemetery beautifully located upon the table-land
summit OF tall and PERCEPTIONS cliff, which forms
me bank OF me hentucky rlver, and from which a
commanding view u obtained OF the country
around Along the face Of this hill gradually
ascending pathway, WIDE enough for two persons
10 walk abreast, has been excayated with the beel-
truR, cTaggy projections absve ~, the shrub and
wOod-clad preslpice below, at the foot Of which
the dark and sluggish stream of the Kentucky
river rolls along. The walk combines all that is
mantle, with much that is calculated TO excite at
least emotions Of apprehension in the breasts Of the
timid. Here and there, rough and rude stdirways
are cut out Of the rock the ascent becomes more
preepltous, and cool and sparkling spring that
pushes out from the rocks on the hill sdes empts
the lounger to slake his thirst in its crystal waters
Ihis ~ the most attractive route to the cemetery
for pedestrians; but there is an easy and pleasant
access TO II over Tine road for those who prefer
at, and for vehicles.
The cemetery grounds are not very extensive,
but are most tasteiuy laid out and b. autlied with
1fInrad 10 ~ - A.