Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-26

10 the Ioisrs Of Louisa, FVuranna and Gooehiand.

tn The JOiirS ~ Louisa, fIufdnHd ana LOUcitanG.
Fr,tow CIr,zrss: At the instance Of many friends ! am
n candidate 10 represent you in the Convention, 10 revise
and amend The Constitution OF Virginia. | have taken the
position under a high sense Of its responsibility. am not
before YOU AS Il political partisan. We shonld know but the
GOOD od Commonwealth Of Virginia. | have adopted this
medium of communication to advise you OF my opinions,
upnn some of The most prominent subjects which viii oCcu-
nv the dc CELEBRATIONS of the Convention. II elected, ! Will
vote for no Constitution which, in my Judgment, will expose
the country East Of the Blue Ridge 10 the risk Of oppressive
taxation. | consider the old freehold right Of suffrage The
best we have ever had in Virginia. But believing that no
re;roprade move can be made upon that su5leci, 1 will favor
lis extension 10 every white male citizen u years of age,
who is neither an IDIOT nor 4 la1p'r' ana wl" mas not ben
convicted OF any infamous offence; with such restrictions
and limitations, however, as will ciectnally shield and pro-
tect lis exercise against abuse or Imposition.
Having always entertained the opinion that those who
uaid the taxes should have 4 controlling influence in their
appropria,iun. | am in favor Of the basis Of representation
which wi! rive Eastern Virginia a prcdominance in the
General Assembly. Taxation Or taxation and white popuia-
lation combined, should form that basis.
The Senate Of Virginia should be authorized 10 originate
business, and not be As at present a mere supervisory BODY.
This change would facilitate public business ana shorten me
sessions Of the Legislature. The sessions oi the legsia-
iurc should be biennial or tricnnlal. l should prefer the lat
ter, believing . session of the Legislature once in three years
sufficient for all legislative purposes. would relieve the
Legislature ol a numerous class Of private ana local bills
which have occupied much of lis time and which could be
m,rc conveniently and lmdiciotiSly transacted by the county
courts. With these amendments, lis session can with pro-
p.iety bc conslitGtionalis restricted 10 thirty or forty days.
am in favor 81 imposing some constitutional restriction on
the legislative appropriations 10 wofEs oi internal improve
ment. The rapid increase of the public debt within the last
four wears has r:vc:td the conviction on my mind, tEat I'M
less some suci. restrictive measure BE- adopted. bankruptcy or
r%cpudiati0a must BE- our inevitable lot. The Executive
Council should be abolished. I'll. Governor and licGicn-
ant Governor should bc elected by the people. But would
divest the Governor ot all executive patronage, save tina;
which was a5.oiaeiy necessary T. carry into operation the
powers directly conferred on him by the Constitution.
The circait judges should be elected By the people Of their
respective circuits. The General Assembly has 10 imnc-
dia,e interest in the election Of 4 circuit Judge, and the Office
is frequently conferred on individuals a. a reward Tor part!-
san service. believe The people. when called on to elect .
,udae, vino il Ia decide on their lie, liberty ana property.
will b. uncontrolled by any party Or sinister influence, and
elect Tie man best qualified 10 discharge the duties Of the
uticc.
The Judges Of the court Of appeals should be- elected by the
General Assembly. Because i; they were 10 be elected by
the people, they would doubtless &c nominated by a legisla-
| tive caucus. and thus the election. virtually, vested in 4 ma
io,iiy Of the o ninGnt party in the General Assembly, instead
nf a minority of the riotc body.
/ have always considered the officers and not the cinolu-
nenis III the Offices intended ior the benefit Of the people.
The clerks should be appointed Is al present, BY their re-
Spective courts. Their universally high character as 4 pro-
icssonnl class, affords the most conclusive evidence that M
change in the appointing power would be for the better
The sheriis, constablcS, commissioners of the revenue, coun-
~ surveyors, &c, should he appointed as at present.
lam in favor of the present County Court system. 1t il
the bust and cheapest judicial system which the ingenuity Of
creating and scfpcrpctuating body, and, therefore, an
anumoly III a republican government. This powerhas been cS-
erciscd by the courts with great prudence and discretion
would not, however, oppose O modification VI the system,
which would obviatc this objection, by laying o!i the coun-
ties into districts of convenient size, and whenever any dis
trici, III future, may need 4 justice or justices, authorizing
the people oi that district 10 elect them. But when elected,
would have the tenure Of their office as Al present, during
good behavior. would not disturb any VI tie existing
commissions. Any radical change III the system must in
volve either uf the parties bcligercnt, or the people, in great
ii shall be my pleasure. as it will be my duty, 10 defer 10 your
wishes and opinions.
Respectfully, your tellow-citizcn,
CLAYTON G. COLEMAN.
Louisa, July 18th, 1850.