Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-26
Louisa, July 18th, 1850.
coiI.HESIC.i1E'D

coHfE.NC.l1ED
JULv ldTH, 1850.
10 .Ain l.. hrrys, Esq.
Dear Sir You are doubtless aware that Judge Lomax
has declined the nomination IL a candidate for Il seat III the
approaching Stale convention from thc district composed
Vi the counties of Clroiac, Spotsylvlnia, King William
and illnogc:, which was rendered him by a convention
III delegates without distinction Vi party, which was held At
the BJwlir. Green, in Caroline HE 5,l Of this month. The
undersigned i portion of the delegation 10 that convention,
from each Of the counties Of Caroline, Hanover and Spot
sylyanii, having every confidence IN vour ability and integ-
rity, and being aware that You were the first choice of 4
large portion of that Convention, call upon yon how To d.
clare yourself \ candidate Tor a scat in the State convention
from th.' district, and ASK tia; You will give 10 the voters If
the District, through The public prints, al your carlie,, con-
y2nicncr, Your general views a. 70 the changes proper IL bc
made in tic present organic Law oi our State. 1t may be
proper lpr u Ia say, lint comparatively icw names are sub
scribei TO this letter, from the fact, that bur little opportuni-
~ has been afforded for communication with many of the de-
icgatcs, scattered as they are, through the several counties.
Trusting that yoG will not feel 1T liberty To decline this m.
solicited call OF your f,liow-ctizen-, We have the horror to
subscribe ourselves, Very Respectfully Yours
EDMUND I. MORRIS.
Lewis w. Talaferro, John II. Taiilfcrro, }. VI. Taylor,
Thomas boswell. YIN. Mallory = Lanorer.
7. Voolfolk, Joseph Jesse, \. 5. Broaddu~. Robert b.
Tunsiall-ta r0iiae.
Sta. Crutrhfeid, q. Long. James G. Hart. ". " Jones j..
seph VI. Alsop, Iancelot rllow-Syo.syirnia
Il. II. Wexford, Jr., John NJ. Forbes, \. Alexander Little
w. ). HIlton, q. Slaughter rtterich.bu-e
FREpERfcKsnrRG, JuLY -, 1850.
Gentlemen: received on Saturday evening, your COM
munication of the lilh instant requesting me 10 become Il
candidate TO represent the District, composed Of the coun-
ties ul clolsSiNiHla, Caroline, Hanover ana Mn. Nl!ilil,
in the Convention which will shortly convene 10 remodel
our State Constitution. In accedins 10 YOU. request, per-
nit me In declare tina, do 80 with unlcigncd Gistriist ri NV
ability Ia render essential aid in the proposed work. II is
post which would not voluntarily seek. and which. under
the circumstances, ] d. not feel at liberty 10 decline. Ii
elected. / shall cn!eavor 50 10 improve the interval which
transpircs before The occurrence ri thc Convention, a, IL en-
able me 10 appreciate JG>iy the views which NAV be pfcseu-
ted 10 that body, touching The many alterations proposed
in our organic law and to net upon such propositions with
due elaboration.
In answer 10 your request, that | would announce my
general views in regard 10 the proposed changes, have 10
say, that a. n present advised
! am in favor of what is commonly termed the mixed basis
of representation.
| would extend the right of suffrage To all white male cit;-
zeEs who have attained y years III aye, who have resided
for II months ntAt preceding the period Of election III the
county Where they "iler II vote, and who are not subject IL
the present disabilities on The score Of paupcrisrn, &c.
| I'm III favor ol transferring the election oi the Judges Of
the circuit courts To the people: but deem il cssential. 10 their
JUS, independence, that they should hold their office during
good behavior, ar tor 4 term of years, with the feature eli in
eligibility thereafter attached.
| desire 10 retain our county courts with such moGica-
tions as will restrlc: them 10 the exercise nf Judicial fanc-
tons, and take from them the power Of self pcrpetua,ion.
prefer tha, the Legislature should continue 10 elect tn
Governor, unless some plan Of popular election b. devised
which would secure 10 the East her present relative inlu-
cnce in that election.
| would confide the election Of the Judges Of The court OF
appeals To the Legislature, unless the State shall be divided
into suitable districts with 4 view 10 4 separate popular cleo
ton of 4 Judge in each.
With regard to subordinate local officers. | think ,ha,
many Of them. Sirh A. commissioners OF the revenue. asses
soTs OF county lr'!es aud poor rates, school commissioners.
&c., should o. elected Directly b. tie p.onlc-wlilc there arc
Others, such as clerks and attorneys for The Commonwealth
who can be more Judicious!y selected Nv the courts.
These are my opinions on the toaics named: bur do not
understand me as ~plcdsing myself 10 their maintenance.
should l find them condemned by reason and future retiec.