Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-21

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THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.


To tho M,mbcrs OF the Virginia State Convention.
h.re ,e o mportant questions that will be decided in
10 the Legislative Department OF tins state winch
should enlist attention uf members OF the Convention
First How often the Legislature should eeii and second
What shoud be the age members In relation 10 the Fst
we do moi ng they should meet annually Many
have already gone the Convention, determined II NOT
pedred 10 for biennial sessions. Now, Il seems 10 US
that State large Virginia. State just embaking 10
so manv systems and improvement should nave
her representatives assembled erey year. 10 deliberate up
on her affairs and provide for her wants There are quts
lions continually arising in all parts OF her territory when
require legislation oil tmes For instance company 10
formed 10 carry scheme OF internal improvements
they want help from the Satc-the State is willing To give
it, Can they present their claims the ensuing winteri NO.
II there biennial sessions perhaps the Legislature docs
not meet And they compelled TO walt whole year
before their case can presented Sometimes, too, there
are which cannot be pm: OIL and so an rrG session
must needs be convened. The principal argument The OPP
Moments of annual sessions advance IT, tho expense In
this thew will find they radically Mistaken for they will
find on Trial. that the Legislature will 81 al least twice as
long when they only In two years There would be
such press OF business that il would be absolutely mpos
sibe 10 get through with il in the space usually allotted TO
our sessions Now since they Will be employed the same
time and consequently the same expense we think annual
sessions would be preferable. If there il amy danger Of
their being prolonged mmoderne extent, we would
recommend that clause be enacted in the constitution
tricng certain limits say 40 or 10 days In looking
over the list of States find that u the great and mpor
rant States land surely Virginia ID o ihem) have le
cation every year Now Yok md NIL the other grtnt
States could not get along with legislation once In two
meet their The few States that have biennial scs
slons are the most important ones in the whole Union.
As regards second question: there seems to be consd
ernbe doubt There who nre for opcnng the cgs
lavc Offices to nll voter irrespective fhgs while again,
many are unwilling the affairs Of the State TO young
heads. TO be member OF The Leg slarc is proper they
should have considerable know ledge of the world of men
and possess sond Judgment and decision
of character earessy do what a thinks right and dis
couniouance wrong Now the Question nrses-mus man
be of advanced age before he these qualifications
they acquired in eay rl eneray by The time
person is 81 years of ageif he has nny umbi,ion-any
longing after what Is great and noble-any love for
his country, he will have acquired sufficient know
ledge OF her be entrusted with their management
We need only instance the younger PITT 10 establish this
TRUTH Some 81 his happiest Efforts IN Parliament we're
made between the ages of 20 and 2 Besides there can be
Danger in fixing the minimum early ngc that In
competent persons will get in Office. For when two per
candidates. the people competent TO Judge which
is the worthy irrespective of On the contrary,
there will only be wider ecopo allowed them in their choice
and thus many able representatives chosen who otherwise
would be left out account of their by allowing Ia
Tented and meritorous young 10 hold oce there VIII
be the advantage OF uniting the ardor and enthusiasm OF
youth with the camness and experience Of age Besides
entering political career early age ard connu-
ing in Office for life time, las some fortunate ones VIII
will their latter days be OF experience which
will be of the country. All the advantage
Of Mr. Calhouns being occupied with public duties for so
long time From the time he first engaged in poll
tics unit, his DEATH he held high Offices with scarce inter-
mission SO tha! in his last days from his great experience
fitted give advice In the exciting
by which he was surrounded
We wond fix the age Of Senators 2 and delegates at
81 The subject is which demands the serious attention
of the Convention. &.
The Convention has adjourned over until Saturday.