Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-08-01
CONSTITUTIONS OLE VIRGINIA,

AS ADOPTED By THE REFORM CONVENTION OF lSoO'"l
TO be acted by the People, 1.-THE M Thursday IN Oe'0's is
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives of the good
people Of Virginia. in Convention assembled on the twenty
ninth day Of June in the year Of our Lord one thousand
hundred and seventy six recng and declaring mat
Whereas George the Third king of Great Britain and Ire
land elecor of Hanover before that time entrusted win
the exercise of the kngy office in the government OF VIZ
gnia had endeavorcd pervert the into deesiaoe
and nsuppor,abe tyranny by putting his negative on laws
the wholesome and necessary for the public good by
denying his governors permission TO pass laws o immaculate
and pressing Importance unless suspended in their operation
for his assent when suspended negecng To attend To
them for many years. by refusing TO pass certain other laws
ihe inestmabe right Of representation in the legislature ny
ssolvng legislative assemblies repeatedly and continually
for opposing with manly mness his nvaslons OF the rights
peoples when dissolved by refusing To call others for
long space of time, thereby leaving the political system
without any legislative head BY cndeaYorins 10 prevent
appropriation OF our country and Tor that purpose oosruc
inS NE laws for the naturalization OF foreigners by Keeping
among us in time peace standing armies and shlps Of war
~ toe civil power by combining with others 10 subject US
foreign jurisdiction giving his assent to their pretended
of legislation for quacrng large bodies OF armed troops
among US for cutting with all parts of the world
imposing without consent Tor depVlng
s of the benefits of the trial by jury transporting be-
yund be tried for pretended offences for suspending
legislatures and declaring themselves invested with
power 70 eoisIae for us in all cases whasoever by plum
ering avagng COASTS burning our towns and
destroying the lives of peoples by ncltng
fellow subjects with the aurem"nt OF forfeiture and
.onfscaon; by prompting negroes to rise IN arms
amongst those negroes who by an nhuman use OF
negative he had refused permission TO exclude by law
tile n,scess Indian savage whose known rule Of warfare
is und,nguished destruction Of all ages sexes and con-
dions of exisence by transporting hther large army OF
foreign mercenarics complete the work OF DEATH desoa
ton and tyranny then already begun with circumstances
cruelty and perdty unworthy the lead of civilized nation
BY answering repeated petitions for redress with repe
titioa of injuries; and finally by abandoning the helm OF
government and declaring Of his allegiance and
lection; by which several Of msrue the government
of this country before exercised under the of Great
Britain totally dissolved did, therefore, having mature
" considered the PREMISES and yiewng with great concern
Hap10r
would be reduced unless REGULAR mode OF CT
vii policy should be speedily udopled and in with
the recommendation Of the general Congress- odan and de-
clare form Of government for Firginia
And whereas, Convention held on the first Monday in
nine did propose the people of the Commonwealth an
amended Constitution Form OF Government which was
ratified by them:
And whereas the General Assembly of Virginia. by act
passed the 4h of March, in the thousand eight
hundred and fifty did provide for the elecun BY the people,
of delegates in general Convention consider dis
cuss and propose q Constitution alterations and
amendments the existing Constitution of this Common
wealth. and by act passed the thirteenth of March in
the year thousand eight hundred and fifty did further
provide for submitting the same to the people Tor ratification
We therefore the Delegates of the good people of Virgil
MIA elected and in Convention assembled in pursuance OF
said acts do propose the people the following Constitu
lion and Form Of Government for this Commonwealth:
ARTICLE.
BW Of Rights.
The Declaration Of Rights, as amended and prchxed to
this Constitution shall have the same relation thereto as
had TO the former Constitution
ARTICLE IL.
DiriSion of Poucrs.
The Legislative Executive and Judiciary Departments
shall be separate and distinct that neither exercise the
powers properly belonging either OF the others nor shall any
person exercise powers of than OF them at the
sumo e except Justices OF tie peace shall be eilsl-
Bile to either House OF Assembly.
ARTICLE Ill.
Qualification of Voters.
l. Every white male citizen OF the Commonwealth, OF the
age of twenty years. who has been resident OF the
Slate for years and Of the county, city town where
he 1eYst O months
tou and other person. shall be qualified 10 vote for nen-
her. of the General Assembly and all officers elective by
people: but person in the military, naval or marine ser
Of the United States shall be deemed resident ot this
Sa,e by Of being stationed therein And no person
shall have right vote who is Of unsound mind or
pauper a commissioned officer soldier seaman or
marine in the service Of the United States who has been
convicted of bribery in an election or OF any infamous Of
fence.
q The General Assembly first session after the adop
ton of this Constitution, and afterwards as occasion may
require shall every city or town. the white pcpua
Of which exceeds five thousand, to be laid OIL lnHcon
xenient wards, and separate place OF voting 10 DC esap
led in EACH and thereafter nhabant OF such ciy or
shall be allowed except in the ward in which he
resides.
g. No voter during the time for holding any election at
which he Is entitled vote shall be compelled TO perform NIL
ury SERVICE except in OF public danger; 10
work upon the public roads or 10 attend any sutor
Juror Witness and shall be subject arrest under
any civil process during his attendance elections In
going to and returning from them
In all elections shall be given openly or ripa
and by ballot. But dumb persons entitled suffrage
'' ARTIcLE "
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
The Legislature shabe formed Of two dsinc, branches
which together sha be acompele Legislature and shall be-
called the General Assembly of Virginia.
House of Delegates
One Of these shall be called the House OF Delegates and
shall consist of hundred and fy-two members, be
chosen benniay for by the several counties cities and
towns of the Commonwealth and distributed and apporon
ed az follows:
The counties of Augusta and Rockingham and the city of
Richmond shall each elect three delegates: The counties
of Albemare Bedford Berkeley Campbell Fauqne Frank
ln Frederick Hsitsx HAMPSHIRE Harrison, Jefferson IA
naShs Loudoun, Marion, Monongalia, Monroe Norfolk,
Pi,,syvania Preston Rockbridge. Shenandoah Wash
ing,on shall elect Delegates The Counties of Boe
tourt and Craig shall together elect two delegates
W. nf Alexandra, Amharst Ammo