The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-31

| The convention for revising and amending the
constitution of the State of Kentucky, which has
been in session at Frankfort since the LIST Of October
last completed its business and adjourned on the
2lst inst Amongst the changes made by the CON
vention in the constitution the following, as
we find them stated in address of the delegates
to their constituents. They are, however to be sub
mitted to a vote Of the people,
Biennial sessions of the Legislature limited in
their duration TO sixty days.
The protection OF the public credit, by expressly
prohibiting the Legislature from contracting any
debt save for the expenses of the government, with
out the assent OF the people given at the polls.
Private and special legislation is forbidden; and
this hitherto fruitful source of expense, including
the grant of manifold divorces, SO long borne and
so strongly condemned, is entirely removed.
The mode of appointing the judges has been al
together changed, and, for the first time in the his
tory of this commonwealth, been given directly to
the people, The oiappeals is TO consist of four
judges. The State is to be divided into four dis
trlcts, IN each OF which appellate Judge is to be
elected for the period of eight years. with the pow
on behalfoft the Legislature, to reduce the num-
Der to three, should il be deemed expedicnt The
number OF circuit judges is reduced from nineteen
to twelve, and they to be elected every years
| i'll their respective circuits.
The old county court system is entirely abolished.
The judges, one president and two associates,
10 be elected by the people of the several counties
having the same jurisdiction in all respects which
has heretofore been exercised by county courts as
organized by the constitution Of 1899, except when
the county levy is to be imposed, or county debts
created, when the General Assembly may require
the justices of the peace also elected by the people,
TO form part of the court in the exercise Of the
great power of county taxation.
The clerks of the several courts, sherfs, justices
OF the peace, and constables, and all other county
officers and officers of the militia, are to be elected
by the people at stated periods.
The public credit, that great element of social
and political power has been still further sustained,
no af thaat l.
ing fund, and by requiring the faithful application
thereofto the payment of the interest on well as
the principal of, the public debt.
The promotion and diffusion of knowledge among
our citizens has been secured by the dedication of
the school fund to system of public instruction in
primary schools, which, if properly fostered and
managed by the Legislature, will, we hope, in time
each county is secured by the constitution in its
due proportion of that fund, bring the means of
common education within the reach of all the chill
dren in the commonwealth.
The relation between master and slave remains
as 1t was under the old constitution. Public SEN
ument, SO far from demanding any change, ex-
pressly rebuked any constitutional action thereon.
The free negro population among is conceded
by all to be worthless, and highly detrimental to
the value Of our slaves, well as the security of
the owner. The constitution provides that no slave
emancipated slave be sent out Of the State.
The mode of amending the new constitution is
tho same in the old.
day in June next, to proclaim the constitution
the organic law of the State, provided it shall re-
ceiye the approval of the people.