The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-24
Virginia Convention.

The convention adjourned on Friday last,
to meet again on Monday, (the 2lst) The
committee appointed TO inquire into and report
the most expedent method of bringing forward
such amendments as might be proposed, report
ed, on Monday, series of resolutions providing
for the appointment of the following commit
tees
/. A committee of twenty four, taken from
the four great divisions of the State, to ..report
proper basis of representation in the two
houses of the General Assembly, and proper
apporionment of representation"
2. A committee of fifteen upon ''the right of
suffrage, and the qualifications of persons to be
elected to the General Assembly"
3. A committee of nineteen upon call such
portions of the present constitution, not en-
braced by the preceding resolutions, as relate
to the Legislative department of the govern
ment."
A. A committee of fifteen upon $50 much OF
the present constitution as relates to the SUI
preme court of appeals and the superior courts
the mode of appointment and tenure of office OF
the judges and officers Of said courts, Except
sheriffs,) and Of the attorney general"
5. A committee of fifteen upon ''the county
courts, county organization, and county tax
alton and, also, the qualifications mode OF
appointment, and tenure of Office Of justices Of
the peace, sherif1s, and other county officers y
6. A committee of fifteen upon ''the election
and appointment, term of office, powers and du-
ties of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and
council, and all other State officers, executive
and ministerial"
7. A committee Of fifteen upon constitutional
provisions Sin relation to education and public
Instruction.
s. A committee Of fifteen upon ''the bill OF
rights, and all such parts and portions of the
present constitution as are not referred by the
foregoing resolutions"
The foregoing resolutions were laid on the
| table and ordered to be printed. The House
adjourned without any discussion upon them
During the session there were many other reso-
lutions offered expressive TO some extent of the
sentiments of prominent men in the convention.
We note with pleasure some indications, which
to our mind promise harmony upon questions
Of vital importance. Western members are in
Producing propositions to restrict the power OF
the Legislature to borrow money; to prohibit
guarantees upon corporate bonds TO prevent the
passage of any laws impairing the right of pro-
perty to establish an nd ralorem system OF
taxation to restrict the formation of small
counties, sc. These signs will tend TO con-
vince Eastern Virginia that its fear of the West
is unfounded, and that, if the control of legisla-
tive power should pass into its hands, there
would be no danger of those abuses so much
dreaded by the Eastern members Of the last
convention.
The session Of the 22d was occupied in offer
ing resolutions of inquiry in regard to various
specific reforms. An attempt was made to
take up and consider the report and resolutions.
A proposition was made to adopt the one-hour
rule, which, inasmuch as it threatened the fu-
ture limitation of debate, occasioned pro-
longed discussion, during which the House ad-
journed.