Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-10-28
STATE REFORM CONVENTION,

" Passing over the proceedings of several
das $ in the Convention, because our correspond
ent has given condensed account of them, we
publish, as the most important, the .PIan of Pro-
ceedng,' as reported by the committee Of thir-
teen
PLAN OF PROCEEDING.
Mr. BYRD stated that the committee of thir-
teen, heretofore directed by a resolution of this
House, to inquire and report the most expedienl
method of bringing before it such amendments
to the present Constitution as may be proposed,
having had the same under consideration, have
agreed upon report, and directed him to pre-
sent the same; which duty he was ready to per-
form Whenever it should be the pleasure of the
House to receive said report:
Mr.. BYRD said, that he had been especially
instructed by the committee to accompany the
presentation of their Report with an explana-
ton, which he asked permission 10 make.
He PROCEEDED to state, that The Report recon-
mcnds the appointment of eight committees.
each of which was to be charged with the duty
of considering and reporting to the convention
upon such amendments, eermaue to them re-
speclively, as may be proposed to the present
Constitution. The first of these resolutions,
which relates to so much of the Legislative De-
pariment of the Government as involves the ba-
sis of representation; aud the proper apportion-
ment of representation among The people of This
Commonwealth provide. for the appointment Of
committee of tWenty-fouu members, to be TAX
en- in equal number from the four great districts
Of the State respectively.
He said that The third resolution of the Report,
which embraces all such portions Of the present
Constitution, mot embraced by the resolutions
which procede it, as relate to The legislative
department.. of the Government, and which,
therefore may be called the residuary resolution
upon that department OF the oovernment.recom-
mentls The appointment of Commiiroc Of niue
teen that each OF the remaining resolutions of
the Report recommends the appointment Of
Committee Of fifteen members and that thus il
will be seen, that the aggregate number of
these eight committees accounts to one hundred
and thirty-three-a number, mi1As t1to. equal 10
the whole number OF The members of this Con-
vention and, consequently, that their appoint
ment will wholly absorb its MEMBERS With the
exception Of that small portion: that lhi, ar
rangemen in regard to the aggregate number of
said committees, was adopted bv The Committee
of Thirteen, because it vas not deemed reasona-
Bile to expect, that The presiding officer Of the
convention, in addition to the necessarily oner-
Gus duties OF his station, should serve on any
committee, except one of the whole Conv eniion;
and in view of the fact, that another distinguish
ed member of the Convention now absent from
this city, in consequence Of a severe and very
recent domestic afiliction, has requested parti-
cularly, that he might not be placed on any
committee.
The committee of thirteen appointed to en-
oure what method will be most esnedient in
bringing before the convention, amendments TO
the constitution which may be proposed, have
had the same under consideration, and are of
opinion, that the most convenient method is to
adopt the following resolutions, VIZ.
Resolved list. That a committee of twenty
four members, TO be taken in equal numbers
from the four great divisions of the State, res
pectively be appointed to take into considera-
ton, and report proper basis of representation
in the two houses of General Assembly, and
proper appointment Of representation among
the people Of this Commonwealth.
81 That a committee IF fifteen members be
appointed to take into consideration so much of
the present constitution, as relates to re right Of
suh.aoe, and The qualifications Of persons to be
elected TO the General Assembly, aud report
such alterations and amendments therein as they
may deem necessary and proper.
Sd. That a committee of nineteen members
be appointed TO take into consideration all such
portions Of the present constitution, not ernbrac-
ell by the preceding resolutions, as relate to the
legislative department Of the government, and
report such amendments and alterations therein,
as they may deem necessary and proper.
4th That committee OF fifteen members be
appointed to take into consideration so much of
the present constitution as relates to the supreme
court of appeals aud to superior courts-the
mode of appointment aud tenure of office of the
Judges and officers of said courts Except sher-
ifs and OF the attorney general.
5th That committee OF fifteen members
he appointed to take into consideration so much
of the present constitution as relates TO the coun-
ty courts, county organization and comfy taxa
ton and, also the qualifications, mode of ap-
pointment, and tenure of office. of justices Of the
peace, sherffs and other county officers; and
that they report such provisions in relation here
to, as they may deem necessary and proper.
9Th That committee of fifteen members be
appointed 10 consider and report such amend
ments and alterations as they may deem neces-
sary and proper in those portions of the present
constitution which relate to the election and APP
pointment, term of office, powers and duties
Of the Governor, Lieutenant. Governor and coun-
Gil and all other State officers, executive and
ministerial.
7,h. That committee of fifteen members be
APPOINTED. whose duty it shall be 10 enquire and
report whether any, and any, what provisions
should be inserted in The constitution in relation
to education and public instruction.
9Th. That committee Of fifteen members be
appointed to take into consideration the bill OF
rights and all such parts and portions Of the
present constitution, as are not referred by the
foregoing resolutions, and report 10 the conven
ton either substitutes for the same, or such a.
mendments and addition thereto, as in their o.
pinon may be necessary and proper.
9th. That the reports from The foregoing COM
mittees, when made, shall be referred, without
debate, to committee of the whole convention.
Mr. HOPKINS of p, from the Committee ON
Rules for the government of the House, made,a
report, which, on his motion, was laid on the
table and ordered to be printed.
MORE FOGERY AND AN ARREST.
There seems 10 be quite mania for forgery
in this city aud vicinity, and Tor 'arryng il 10
a pretty heavy extent. We have mentioned
some cases within few days, aud have another