Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-06-21
For tie Ennnirer.
TO THE PEOPLE OF yIRGIN Vt '''''''

TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
few months longer and Your delegates elect will con
your capital Richmond, for the purpose OF altering
your present constitutions and as the time is limited for their
election lei me- an humble native citizen, advise that when
90 the polls vote for no man. unless you know III
the nnn what alterations he is in favor 0fthat when your
constitution shall come before you for approval may meet
your entire appreciation. The amendments fellow citizens
that desirable and which, IN my humble OPINION nave
provoked call this convention your suppress
ed rights During my life have for short space Of mc
lived four different States Of this Union Their internal
regulations, &c. guaranteed 10 the people by their Con-
stituton am somewhat conyersan with, having during my
stay directed my time the study Of law and moreover
fellow citizens in the whole of my travels from Maine 10
Texas have never seen any people better capable OF sell
government than the people Of virginia. yet there is pco-
pie the Union, whose Legitimate rights with
held from them than the people Of Virginia Withheld
how! By her Legislature and her sefeleced arstocrac
magistrates. Here could in detail if thought it ey-
pcden by way Of recital of presidents, which Corven
ton of 1890 observed in forming the present Constitu
ion, but do not think il courteous 10 the Editors of the
Enquirer 10 extend co large space viii here in
brei way, simply audc ourselves people, much
dsposrd 10 countenancc English models. The English
Laws IL respects truly desirable but their socage
SYSTEM together with other inherent rights freely given
Inc people will vie with our Allodal system and the
freedom granted by the Declaration of Independence
and federal Constitution. Hence think that every
delegate the proposed Convention should be informed by
the people, that IN modelling the Constitution reference
should be had TO any monarchca government by way Of
precedent for This only be prevented by the people
and now is the time to mediate in order 10 prevent any such
action Now as an humble devoted VrgnIan and one who
wishes long To remain amongst you lei advise the fol-
lowing reforms, which honestly conceive BE- essential
Universal suffrage 10 all male persons the Of
II years of 1ound mind residents of the county months
and Of the State IL months.
The the State be elected by the people
3D. The Judges of Circuit Superior Courts Of Law and
Chancery be elected by the people OF their DISTRICTS and
to hold office for the space OF four years.
L. The County Court system to be abolished and in its
stead county court nudge be elected By the people each
county, whose duty will be 10 sit at the quarterly courts
for the transaction of business arising in the county.
s. The Magistrates 10 be apportioned in different parts of
ht h.p their
under fifty dollars issue attachment, take release deeds
G. The Shers Consabes and Clerks of the county and
District Courts, elected by the people.
T. In each county five respectable persons 10 be elected
BY the people, Commissioners Of roads public highways
and the like whose duty will be TO convene three times
year the Courthouse.
g. The Legislature is only oncet once in every two
unless in of actual necessity then 10 by
writ from the Governor and Al time 10 sit longer than
three months. Now in these propositions have
good precedent by nearly every State in the Union
and the examples truly worthy of profound consideration
from the fact of their increasing population ana individual
prefement have been developed by the people great
many of whom Of Virginia left poor and pennycss
such as CLAY, Bagby, and others, who stand n
bright u,nnaries in political hemisphcrc ard in ali
probability, if they had remained amongst YOU, from your
old constitution and Your present one, which is OBJ
ectionable would have been allowed the privilege
of voting say nothing about preferment have times
heard my father say of all the people in the world his neigh
bors lie loved best Here would enlarge the expressions OF
all the people in the world the Virgnians love best and
our system.
In the eighth have the good precedent from
the State of Alabama Owing legislation she has
become very much involved, and the credit of the
State, the people had the said proposition passed by
which her citizens have been greatly relieved In the Rich
mond Weekly Wing of March 49, 1880 speaking of the Con-
ven,ion the following is inserted ave regard the county
system the best institution among There
some who wish abolish il, but satisfied that no
substitute be found for it, less than half mil
lion year, and we think Convention will subject the
people that expense This expression is in every
fntSn nnv niIn hnf afpl
be tolerated in enlightened country; and say by
aboishins will subject the State any expense like
wise false the fact that the high Sheriff. every county,
(who is nothing than snscure receives from six 10