Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-03-18

or advantages on any sect or denomlna-
ton nor pass any law requiring or au
thorizing any religious society, or The PEG.
pie of any district within this common
wealth, to levy on themselves or others
any lax foi the erection or repair Of any
house of public worship, OF for the support
OF any church or ministry but il shall be
left free to every person TO select his rei-
gious instructor, and to make for his sup.
port such private contract as he shall please.
l3. The general assembly may by law
confer on the courts or other tribunals the
power 10 grant divorces. change the names
Of persons and direct the sale of estates
belonging 10 infants, or other persons, IN.
der legal disabilities. But shall not, by
speciallegislaton, grant ieliefn such case.
nor in any other case which the laws may
have conferred jurisdiction on the courts
or other tribunals.
la. No new county shall be formed
with an area less than six hundred square
miles. In the formation OF new counties
no existing county shall be reduced below
such area, nor shall any existing county,
having population less than six thousand
weite inhabitants be deprived gilmore than
one-ffth OF IFS population.
10. Every law shall embrace but one OBJ
ject, and that shall be expressed 10 the title.
l6 The Legislature may provide by law
that no person shall be capable Of holding
or being elected TO any post Of profit, trust
or emolument, civil or military, executive
or Judicial, under the government Of this
commonwealth, who shall hereafter fight
duel. or send or accept a challenge to
fight duel. the probable issue Of which
may be the death Of the challenger or
challenged, or who shall be second to
either party, or shall in any manner aid or
assist in such duel or shall be knowingly
the bearer ofsuch challenge or acceptance,
but no person shall be so disqualified by
reason Of bis having heretofore Tough, such
duel. or sent or accepted such challenge,
or been second in such duel or bearer of
such ehalengs or acceptance.
H. The governor, the Judges. and all
others offending against the State. either
by NAL administration. corruption, neglect
Of duty, or any other high crime or mis-
demeanor, shall be impeached by the
house Of delegates; such iinpeachmentio
be prosecuted before the senate, which
shall have the sole power to tiy all i'm
peactrrnents. When sitting for that pur.
pose, the senate shall be on oath or affir-
nation; and no person shall be convicted
without the concurrence Of two thirds Of
the members present. Judgment in cases
Of Impeachment, shall not extend further
than TO removal from Office, and disquali-
fication to, hold and enjoy any office of
honor trust or profit under The common
wealth; but the party convicted shall new
erlheless be liable and subject to indict-
ment, trial, judgment and punishment, ac-
cording TO law. *hH
rs. In all elections in this common
wealth to any Office or place of trust. hon.
or. or profit, the vote shall be given open.
ly or viva voce, and not by ballot.
Sons ARTICLE H.
Free Persons Of Color.
SEC. l. 1t shall not be competent 10 the
general assembly to pass any law By which
permission to remain within the limits of
this commonwealth, shall be granted TO
any slave hereafter TO be emaucipated--
except only that when such slave shall
have been emancipated By last will and
testament he or she may be permitted so
10 remain, for such time and such only as
may be fixed by law for windingup and
closing the administration Of the eslaie Of
the tes'atora ss0 f aEF8
2. All laws now in lorce BY which per-
mission may be obtained by any free ne
gro or muiatto 10 remain within the limits
Of the commonwealth shall be void, and
no such law shall hereafter be passed ex-
cepi as aforesaid. .Ne
3. The general assembly may pass such
laws as they may deem bes, for the reno
val Of all free negroes and mulattoes be.
yond the limits Of this commonwealth for
permanent residence, either with or
without the consent OF said free negroes \
and mula,toes.
ARTICLE w..
Taxation.
Sec. /. Taxation shall be equal and "
inform ,hroughoutth the State. All proper.
" shall be taxed ID proportion 10 its value
to be ascerteined by lava No one species
Of property shall be taxed higher than an.
other species Of property Of equal value on
iWuNu iaAtS Uc lcNicdt Uut duy pup
erty may be exempted from taxation BY a
majority OF the whole number Of members
elected to serve in each house of assembly.
2. A capitaiion tax shall believed equal
TO double the tax levied on one hundred
dollars worth of land. The legislature
shall have power TO levy an income tax
and tax on salaries, bu, no tax shall be
levied on incomes derived from property
otherwise taxed.
3. No money shall be drawn from the
treasury but in consequence Of appropria-
tions made by law; and regular state.
ment Of the receipts. disbursements. APP
propositions and loans shall be Published
annually.
4. "A majority ofthe whole humbero Of
members elected 10 serve in each house Of
assembly shall be necessary 10 pass any
law imposing taxes or providing for raising
money by taxes. loans or otherwise, sp-
propriaing public money"
5.,f"On the final passage Of all money
bills the vote shall be taken by ayes and
noes and entered on the journal"
6. There shall be set apart annually by
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