North Carolina standard., 1851-08-09
THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA

THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA
we have already announced, says the Baltimore
Sun. that the convention of Virginia. which has been
sitting at Richmond during the last eight months,
nave at length agreed upon the form Of new Con-
stton Tor that State, and brought the session TO
close. The Constitution has yet to be Submitted
vote of the people, but of its acceptance by them
doubt appears to be entertained.
The Richmond Times eptomizes some of the most
Important provisions OF the new Constitution, as fol
lows:
Nearly all State and county officers are to be elect
ed by the people, including the Governor and Lieu
the Judges of the Supreme District
and Circuit Courts, and the Justices of the Peace,
Commonwealth's Attorneys, clerks and sheriffs.
The Legislature is to be apportioned, the House
OF Delegates on the suffrage basis with Western
majority of fourteen, and the Senate with Eastern
majority OF ten, which arrangemet is TO continue
til 1865, when the Legislature may agree upon new
aPPortIonnent, or submit the question of basis to the
people.
Taxes to be dd UaLorem, except that slaves un-
der twelve years of age are exempted. White males
twenty-one years old pay capiation equal
to the tax on $400 worth of land. Slaves twelve
years OF age are not to pay than the tax $500
may be taxed al the discretion of the Legislature.
Seven per cent. of the existing debt of the State,
and OF every future debt is to be set apart annually
for the payment of the interest and principal.
The new constitution is to be submitted to the vo-
ters qualified under it, the fourth Thursday in Oc
tober, the returns made to the Governor, and if he
Proclaims 1t ratified, the Legislature then elected is
to be superseded by the new Legislature, which will
be elected on the second Monday in December, and
will meet on the second Monday in January, and
thereafter the sessions will be biennial.
From this summary recapitulation it will be per-
celved, says the Fumes, that the prominent modiica-
tons of the present constitution consist in the adop
tlon of the system of popular elections in all depart
ments of the Government in the abandonment of the
principle of the representation of property, and in
quirng the Legislature to provide for the payment of
the present and every future public debt.
INHUMANlTY REBUKED. The Blair County Whg
says, few years ago, while passing the Penn
sylvania State Improvements, the writer was wit
ness of one of those scenes of genuine kind heart-
edness which make the heart thrill with unuttera-
BILE blessing and fills the mind with the involuntary
consciousness that there is something of the angel
still in our common nature.
At point this side of the mountains, where oc-
Cured the transhpment of passengers from the West,
was moored canal boat, waiting the arrival of the
train starting its way through to the East.
The captain of the boat, ta rough, sun-embrowned
man, stood by his craft, experimenting the labors of
his men, when the rolled up, and few moments
after, party of about half dozen gentlemen came
out, and deliberately walking up to the Captain, ad-
dressed him something after this wise-' Sir, we wish
to go on east-but further progress to-day will
depend on you. In the We have just left is a
sick man, whose presence is disagreeable. We have
been appointed committee by passengers, to ask
that you will deny this man passage in your boat.
If he goes tOe rernain-what say you Gentlemen
L
through their committee. Has the sick man rep
here?' To this unexpected interrogatory
there was answer, ,when without moments pause,
the Captain crossed to the car, and entering be-
ure, whose life was nearly eaten up by that canker
worm, Consumption. The mans head was bowed in
his hands, and he was weeping. The Captain ad-
vanced, and spoke to him kindly .Oh! sir!' said
with trembling expectation. Are you the Captain
and aoiN you take mel God help me! The pass
engers look upon me as breathing pestilence; and
are so unkind You see, sir, am dying-but, oh
She lives in Burlington, sir, and my journey is more
than half performed. lam poor printer, and the
ly child of her in whose arms wish 10 die"
You shall go!' replied the Captain, if lose ev
cry passenger for the trip!
BY this time the whole crowd Of passengers were
grouped around the boat, with their baggage piled
up on the path, and they themselves awaiting the
decision of the Captain before engaging their passage
moment more and that decision made, they
beheld him coming from the cars, with the sick man
cradled in his stout arms Pushing directly through
the throng with his dying burden, he ordered mat
tress to be spread the choicest spot of the BOAT,
where he laid the invalid with all the of parent.
That done the Captain directed the boat to be prepared
for starting.
But feeling seemed to posses the astonished
passengers-hat of shame and contriton at their in
humanity. With one common impulse they walked
aboard the boat, and, in few hours after, another
was sent to the Captain, entreatng his
presence among the passengers in the cabin. He
went, and from their midst aged, whitehaired
man. who with the teardrops starting in his eyes,
tod that rough sun-embrowned man, that he had
taught them all lesson-that they felt humbied be-
fore him, and that they asked his forgiveness.
1t was touching scene. The fountain of true
sympathy broken up, in the heart of nature, and
its waters welled up, choking the utterance and fill
ing the eyes of all present. On the instant purse
was made up for the sick man, with God speed J!
On his way home, to die in the arms Of his mother
The true-hearted Captain on that boat was General
Samuel D. Karns, and the above incident is worth
remembering.
MOTHER GERTRUDE. In Paris, an old lady nam