Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-03-22
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For the Enquirer.
Messrs Edtors:- respectfully request small space in
your paper congratulate YOU as well as that por
ton Of the people of Virginia who in favor of REFORM
the passage OF the reform BILL known tho law 10 take the
sense of the people the call of convention 10 amend
the constitution OF the State. have doubt very large
portion Of the people in favor OF reforms yes radical re-
fom and of these will excuse me for the request
have made for small space in your paper that may
suggest 10 the friends Of reform such changes believe
the age in which live calls for Should they agree with
me- earnestly urge them 10 make every exeron TO elect
members 10 the proposed convention who in favor oil
these reforms for candidate for the convention
less he himself in favor of such reforms you desires
send no milk and the conventions send such as
are good and send practical men, sensible nmcrs and
in the OF country in the OF our de-
scenda1t who TO live under the government that is 10
be adopted lei the broken down judge. lawyers and poI-
clans alone They generally entertain antiquarian notions
on the subject OF government that do suit this progress
sve age Of the world. You who In favor Of reform,
come with melet standards be planted the reforms
suggest, and around which we will rally and battle down
all opposition. The pruning knife ne applied to every
department of government Legislative, Executive and Jul
iicia Come then, countrvmen, let throw colors
TO the breeze, on which we will inscroe as follows:
Isl The legislative department Of government, The
members thereof should be chosen for years and hold
sessions bennay, unless specially convened by the
Governor in Of emergency
3D. The Executive 10 be chosen by the people for term
Of two years; ineligible after second term.
3d. Tho judicial department Of the government TO consist
of Supreme Court Of Appeals and such inferior Courts
the General Assembly may from time 10 time establish and
justices OF the peace The Judges Of the Supreme Court vi
Appeals be elected for limited term, say years ihc
judges OF inferior Courts that may established be
limited term say years o. the voters o.!
their respective districts, circuits The justices o! the
peace be chosen in like manner By the Of their
townships wards, for four years.
Attn. The msnbers Of the two Houses OF Assembly 10 be-
appooned among the counties, cities the
b.nsd basis Of white population an taxation.
h Tne elective franchise should he extended white
Male citizen ege5 twenty years and upwards who may
have BEEN twelve months next preceding the election
resident oil the county city in which he may offer
o.1r and IA nj Army
paupers untcs and who may have been convicted
OF an infamous offence.
9th There should be provision requiring all direct
be levied equally oil the property Of the State the
ad raorern principle.
7th There should provision prohibiting the borrow
ing OF money the purpose o! internal improvement
less the law authorizing the loan should be approved by
majority of the people OF the State. at the polls.
5ih There should also be provision for primary cduca-
lion setting apart special fund for that purpose that cou
not be diverted any other.
5th The clerks the Courts shouid &c chosen oy the
people Of their respective counties Or cities Tor four
re-elgibe Shefs 10 be elected in Ike for
years and ineligible after the second term for the next The
Consabs be elected By the people OF their respective
townships or wards 10! two wears re- slicbia The ni.
officers Major General Sergeant 10 be elected By
the people their respective divisions hrsaes regiments
~ companies VINO arc suoIec, - militia dairy.
have THIS briefly ssetched OF e" Of Tie in?or-
ant reforms, that in my opinion ought 10 be engafted in
the constitution OF the Commonwealth. They demand
ed oy many considerations, that could suggest will
bear however and leave this others who
writing the press You will observe OF my pro-
posed changes new and YOU may think radical In
ordinary age Of the world they be in this pro-
srcssive age however need far going 100 fast, In
many respects long long way behind the age in
which live: therefore request that You give this
munication place in your paper that the eomers every
part OF the State may rally the platform, have hastily
thrown together am respectfully
March 18th, 1850. BANISTER.
We were surprised hear days since from an au.
then,c source that II currently reported in Oxford N.
Carolina tina, Legislature had passed law levying
tax OF $40 every hogshead Of tobacco which shall
into Virginia from any and quarter No has any
such des OF laying bursns intercourse with
growing S;ates-and every shadow OF misrepre-
sentaton We declare tha; the is utterly unfounded
ADJoURNMENT.-Yesterda both Houses agreed TO
adjourn finally on Friday merit.