Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-01-15
THE KENTUCKY CONVENTION.

The Convention for revising and amending
the Constitution of the State OF Kentucky, which
has been in session az Frank fort since the first Of
October last, completed It's business and adjourn
ed on the 2Ist December. Amongst the changes
made by the Convention in the Constitution are
the following, as we find them stated in an ad-
dress. of the Delegates To their constituents
They are. however, to be ~anh1nilted to q vote of
tho people:
Biennial sessions ofthe Legislature, limited in
their duration 10 sixty days.
The protection of the public credit by express
ly prohibiting the Legislature from contracting
any debt, save for the expenses of the Govern
ment, without the assent of people given at the
polls.
Private and special legislation ia forbidden ;
and this hitherto fruitful source of expense, in
Guiding the grant of manifold divorces, so long
borne and SO strongly condemned, is entirely re-
moved.
The mode of appointing the Judges has been
altogether changed, and, for the first time in the
history of this Commonwealth, been given direct
Iy TO the people. The Court of Appeals is to
consist of four Judges. The State is to be divided
into four districts, in each of which an appellate
Judge is to be elected for the period ofeight years,
with the power, on behalf of the Legislature, to
reduce the number TO three, should u be deemed
expedient. The number of circuit judges is re-
dnced from nineteen To twelve, and they are TO
be elected every six years in their respective
circuits.
The old county court system is abolished
The Judges, one president and two associates,
are 10 be elected by she people of the several
counties, having the same jurisdiction in all re-
spects which has heretofore been exercised by
county courts as organized by the constitution Of
1890, except when the county levy 70 10 be inn
posed. or county debts created, when the General
Assembly may require the justices of the peace,
also elected by the people, TO form a part of The
court in the exercise of the great power of the
county taxation.
The Clerks of the several courts, sheriff., JUS
tees of the peace, and constables, aud all other
county officers and officers of the militia, are TO
be elected by the people at stated periods
The public credit, that great element of social
and political power, has been stilt further sus-
tanned. by rendering inviolable the resources Of
the sinking fund. and by requiring the faithful
application thereof 10 the payment of the inter
est on, Us well as the principal Of the public debt.
The promotion and diffusion of knowledge
among our citizens has been secured by the dedi-
cation Of the school fund to a system of public
instruction in primary schools, which. if proper
lye fostered and managed BY the Legislature will,
we hope in time, as each county is secured by
the constitution of that fnnd. bring the means Of
a common education within the reach of all the
children in the commonwealth.
TherelatIon between master and slave remains
as it was under the old constitution. Public
sentIment, SO far from demz1dirg any change,
expressly rebuked any CONSTITUTIONAL action
herein.
The free negro population among rs i. con
coded by all tobe worthless, andhighly detTimen-
tai to the value of our slaves, as well as the Sc
curity lof the owner. The constitution provides
that no Slave shall be emancipated but upon CON
dition that such e~maneipafed slave be sent out Of
the State.
The mode q amendingt the new constitution Is
thesame as in the old.
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