Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-12
STATE CONVENTION.


member, spoke in favour of re-eligibiltv.
Mr.. Janney, of Loudoan, made very able and
interesting speech for making the Governor in |
eligible at the end OF his first term, but conceded
that he might be safely elected again after term
had interviewed, and the opportunity for improper
ly using the powers of the Office for his own adj
vantage had been lost Mr.. Wise replied, after |
his own peculiar manner, though with less ANNA |
ton andvigour, for the most part, than is his wont.
In the conclusion, getting upon his favorite theme
of the infallibty of the people, he was very racy
and entertaining.
Mr.. Chiffon, OF Fauquier, whose former speech
has attracted more reply than any other, obtained
the floor and the committee rose.
In the convention, a report was submitted from
Mr.. Wises committee on Western Land Titles.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY.
We proceed to give synopsis of the report
submitted by the committee appointed to take
into consideration so much of the present const-
tuition as relates to the Supreme Court of Appeals
and the Superior Courts, the mode of appoint
ment and tenure of Office of the Judges and Off
GERS of said Courts Except sherifs) and of the
Attorney General" The report is in the form of
Articles or Sections, proposed to be incorporated
in the new constitution. These make provisions
to the following effect:
There shall be Supreme Court of Appeals, District
Courts and Circuit Courts the jurisdiction of each to be
regulated by law except SO far prescribed in the Con-
stitution.
The State be divided into five sections each eec-
ton into districts, and each district into two cir
cults all to be bounded by county corporation lines.
| The Legislature may at intervals of--years re-ar-
range the sections, districts and circuits, but may not
increase the number oil sections There must be not
less than districts in section and four circuits in
district
Court of Appeals-For each section Judge of the
Court of Appeals to be elected by the Legislature He
must reside in his section Five judges TO constitute
| the Court; majority may hold it, The Court to have
appellate jurisdiction only and in civil only where
the matter involved is OF greater value than $780,
elusive OF COSTS except in controversies concerning the
probate Of will, the appointment qualification of
personal representative, guardian committee,
concerning mill, road, way ferry, the right of
corporation county to levy tolls taxes; and except
in of habeas corpus manda,nus and in
velvng freedom or the tut ionality of law No
person to be eligible the Supreme Court who is not
/
the eie cton is made during the for which he
may have been elected Governor or member of A.
semby. The judges to hold office for the term OF Is
years from the date ofther commissions and until their
SUCCESSORS duly qualified, until removed but
Judge of this Court to remain in Office after tanning
the age Of 70 years.
| Circuit Courts.-For each circuit Judge to be
elected by the qualified who be 80 years of
age and reside in his circuit. No election OF circuit
Judge to be within 80 days Of any general or pocaT
election. The Judges to hold office for term of 10
years, and until their successors qualified until
| removed. No circuit Judge to be re.eigibe to the
same office until his immediate successor shall have
ceased to hold the office. Each circuit Judge to hold
his Court twice year in each county, &c wherein cir
cult court is now directed by law to be held. Judge of
one circuit may hold Court in another when author
zed by law and Judges in the district may be re-
qured by law to alternate.
District Courts be held at least once year by
the circuit Judges the district and the Supreme Judge
who resides 10 the section to which the district belongs
Supreme and Circuit Judges may be authorized by law
10 sit in district Court Of their section or district
The district Courts have original jurisdiction save
in cases of habeas corpus and mandanus and in chan
Gerry removed to them from circuit Court by
consent of parties.
Salaries OF judges to be fixed and adequate and not
to be diminished during their continuance in Office
The salary of Supreme Judge to be not less than |
$4,000 OF Circuit Judge not less than $4,000, besides
reasonable travelling expenses. No Judge to hold any
other office or appointment, to be elected while in
office to any political Office under the laws ofhe State
Judges may be removed by majority OF the
whole number OF each House OF Assembly, the cause of
removal be entered of record and the Judge to have
twenty days notice.
The present judges of the Court of Appeals and Cir
cult Courts, and their appointed under the
present constitution, 10 remain in office six months af-
ter the termination OF the first Legislature elected under
the new constitution.
A specal temporary Court OF Appeals may if neces-
sary be constituted by law with judges OF the Supreme
and Circuit Courts dispose OF the present docket or
TO try cases which majority of the new Court of APP
peas may be disqualified TO try.
The reasons for reversing decree or Judgment to be
stated in written opinion.
Officers OF the Supreme Court and of the District
Court Except sheriffs) to be appointed by the Courts
their duties to be prescribed by law
Clerks and Commonwealth Attorneys for the Cir
cult Courts TO be elected by the qualified voters and
to hold office seven years.
When vacancy occurs in the office Of Supreme or
Circuit Judge or Circuit Clerk or Attorney the sue
cessor to be elected for the full term.
The Legislature 10 prescribe the mode of conducting
and making returns OF elections.
The Attorney General to be appointed by the Lee
gsature, and TO hold flee four years. but removable
atpleasure. His duties to be prescribed by law.
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
The report of the Committee on the Right of
Suffrage may be more summarily despatched.
The general qualification prescribed for the
voter is as follows:
SEC. l. Every white male citizen of this common
wealth, being also citizen of the United States of the
age oil wenty-one years and upwards who shall have
oseh resident oil the State two years and THE county
city or town. in which he claims his vote twelve months
next preceding election shall be entitled 10 vote for
all officers that he nlectiye nv the