Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-13
Er01ll the RennhLc.


We have examined carefully the new constitution OF
Virginia. and, though We can OF course offer opR-
ion upon the apporlionmeD of power between the COM
peting sections, have hesitation in declaring
that we regard the constitution itself as admirable
State paper Ii Is sound in lis principles, practical 10
Its details, distinct in its provisions, aud mbued with
The spirit ofprogress and improvement which ia mpe-
ling the States OF the Union unexamped prosperi-
y.
The Bill of Rights avowing the principles upon which
the first government of Virginia formed is preserv
ed, oRo'fer with the preamble of the original copst
tuition declaraory OF the that induced adoo
ton. The immortal doctrines thus embodied the
texts upon which the constitution of 1850 is to be ex-
pounded 1t contains so an Incorporation of the prin.
ciples OF religious freedom, almost believe, in the
eloquent language of the act oil Assembly which esab-
lshed 1t. The same lea ousy OF combinations between
properly and religion has prohibited The Legislature
from granting charter of orporation to any church
or religious denomination whatsoever.
The right OF equal suffrage in every free white cit
zen under cerlalnreq iremens OF residence, and b.
Ject TO proper physical moral, and political disabilities
is recognised on the basis of organic legislation.
The usual sepa' alton OF the functions Of republican
go elnmen is declared. The Executive Department
Is in strict consistency with the Just jea lousy with which
Virginia has always regarded the power
The new Governor will have certain duties defined by
law. He will receive liberal salary "bu shall receive
no other em0inment from this or any other govern
ment." He has little apparent patronage except The
power to I'LL certain official vacancies pro tempore.-
lie is to exercise those executive duties ordna lily
ierred upon Governors, but is generally required to
communicate TO The representative department his acts
and his reasons tor them.
The powers OF the Legislature defined with great
exactness The method OF taxation is made eoua and
uniform throughout the Stale The great and rival ell
ements OF slaves and lands be taxed ad va orem
aud the relative ratio OF taxation upon each fixed by
the constitution This will provide for the joint taxa
ton OF these two subjects and will eectually prevent
any discrimination against either
Future appropriations OF money, as we have hereto
lore mad occasion TO state, are guarded with the
rigid caution.
he ]io o;y
restrictions upon taxation and APPROXIMATIONS
These limitations on the power of The I,episIatura
and designations OF the precise method OF imposing
taxation, have been drawn with great care and with an
acute know edge OF the tendencies of slave comb-
lions. Tho convention seems to have entrusted the
fiscal faith OF the Stale to future legislators with an
ample allowance OF authority Justify the imposition
OF taxes or the creation OF debt for obecs OF State i'm
portanee, and Promolve OF the general welfare but
have nterposed nsuperable obstacles to the abuse of
that authority for local or illegtmate purposes.
The Legislature is limited to the transaction of bust
ness strictly legitimate to It's department, and deprived
OF the right 10 exercise jurisdiction with the
courts and other tribunals. Of course the very large
amount OF business OF private nature heretofore be-
tore the Legislature will be very much reduced, and
this will contribute much to enable that body to per-
form its duties during the biennial and special sessions
to which it is to be hereafter limited
But the great change IN the constitution of Virginia
and the important conformation the experience Of the
other States of the Union is in the choice bv popular
elections OF all the administrative and municipal Off
GERS OF the State
I his is plunge which Virginia has taken with some
misgvlngs for the ancient arguments of popular ccr
rup,iby have been reproduced and urged very siren.
uously. Since, however, the earlier discussions upon
this subject took place in Virginia much that was spec
ulaon has beer confirmed by historical experience
and all those States whose example ia enterprise
ana prosperity she is earnestly adopting, have
long since shown that popular intelligence popular lib
ery, aud popular progress promoted by the constant
discussion OF local ana general issues which attend
me election OF officers BY the people. 1t has been
SHOWN that, so tar from people beng led away by
passon or seductd by appeals their venaiV they are
rendered more conYesant with their trne interests and
| more Vignaht IN promoting them. The system now
adopted lot Inc 1rst time in Virginia, like the Town
ship system OF the northern and northwestern States of
the Union, RENTS IL the people in their primary eapac-
tvthe duy OF performing all those functions of local and
municipal governments which can be leoratelv ar
| Justly referred 10 them.
The elections OF those officers who are to exercise he
powers OF taXalon or TO administer the local interests
OF each county, will excite discussion. This will elicit
and dltiuSe Information The adoption by communities
and wealth. and the consideration by the voters of The
questions OF domestic policy involved, educate them
upon the subject OF their Interests and mako them
emphaticaly a sef-governed people. All that can be
done within The sphere OF primary legislation will
leave much less for the government OF the Stale to
perform and do not hesitate TO express the belief
that the reasons why the Legislatures OF the North hold
generally shotterms is because all that can be done
the municipal divisions OF the people has been already
done, leaving comparatively little exercise for the
mon authority. We think thai the policy OF encourag
ing inns elementary exercise OF legislative and Judicial
ulscTelo III me counties communities oil State has
another invaluable ct 1t couDteracts The tendency
10 eentralzauon-io that congestion OF power which in
most other governments IS dangerous This should
we tnink Dc counteracled according the anangies oil
sclence by encouraging the circulation in the extrem-
ties, and this The system OF county and corporation
elections by the people copied from other States and