Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-24
MEMORIAL.
MEMORIAL.
To the Honorable the members Of the Virginia State

To the Honorable the members of the Virginia State
ConDeaton:
Your Memorialists Citizens andyoters of the Civ of
Richmond, respectfully represent:
By the Constitution Of l776 freehold qualification
was required ofevery voter for all officers of the State
About the same time and under the influence Of The
opinions ard prejudces that then prevailed the Lee
gslaure in 1882 granted charter to the Civ of Rich
mond, by which voter tor municipal officers was
required to have freehold or be possessed of e 1870 in
property. Since that day the freehold qualification has
been dispensed with throughout the aud liberal
principles have prevaed-aid now, under the enlarge
ment OF popular rights proposed to be established
by the Constitution about to be adopted every gu III
hcaton OF voter throughout the State is abandoned
save those OF age, sex residence and coor-and the
question presented is, Shall the rights and pri-
rleges be extended to the people Of this City; shall
they be entirely exempted from participation in this
dearest right OF reemen to select their own agents
Every qualified voter in this city, under the Consti-
tuition, will be subject, they have always been,
such capitaton or other tax license may be i'm
posed by the Council they subject to all the laws
ordinances and DEGREES OF the city, whether they
worth one hundred pounds notand it the property
OF the State in no danger from the extension Of the
right OF suffrage in the country, (and no pretends
that Isl we cannot perceive that the property of the
city will be endangered by the extension of the same
right TO those who have no Freehold or taxable pro.
perry, or less than hundred pounds, in the city
The right OF suffrage is extended to them for the
election of members Of the Legsature--why? Be-
cause they subject TO all the laws that may be pass.
ed by that body. Are they as citizens of Richmond
not why should not the right in like manner, be ex-
tended TO them? Our fellow citizens of the counties
to be entrusted with the rgat of elecng their
county or municipal ofcers-and we submit that the
reasons which should induce the extension Of this
right to the people of this city apply with equal if not
with greater force Nor can we perceive how the
chartered rights OF the city will be violated by grant
ing the privileges asked for. Al present the legisa
ture can alter amend that charter either extending
or limiting these privileges, may suit its pleasure
and to say that your honorable body Cannot by
Ipno in rirhtc
are vested in fellow citizens OF the countes is to
make US interior them. possessed of the same
rights, and entitled to enjoy the same privileges.
our nemorlasts are friends to reform and liberia
principles. They voted Tor the Convention and tor
Reform Candidates-bu they had no idea that they
were asking for the extension Of principles all Others
while they themselves were to be excluded. Claiming
to be but people with their fellow citizens through
out the State. they but Constitution or one
rule OF action for ALL They ask for exclusive grant,
but claim the rights and privileges that are ex-
tended ohers-and they cannot be satisfied to be de-
MED the constitutional privilege Of voting tor their
Mayor. Clerk, Attorney, Sergeant and other officers,
while THIS right IS enjoyed elsewhere throughout the
Commonwealth
Nor can ,hey perceive upon what principle it is that
some OF their own Representatives could vote for the
extension OF this right all Others and yet withhold
II rom Their own immediate constituents; why the
properly OF those Representatives would be less safe if
this right were extended to their own constituents than
the same property together with all other property
the Commonwealth, would be when entrusted to The
same class OF persons throughout the Stateand they
can but regard it unjust mputaton upon their
integrity and patriots to imply thar lh, right may
be safely deposited with others, and its exercise denied
to them.
For The reasons above forth, and others not men
toned here, your memoriass ask that your honorable
body will adopt provision by which the right OF the
people OF this city elect their agents may be
onay guartntled-and that The qualifications OF
suffrage as apply to the people OF the counties in the
election OF their municipal officers may be extended 10
Them
And they will ever pray.