Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-07
The New Constitution,

IN the district, IN conjunction with MI
Goggin.
The New Constitution.
We give up nearly the whole Of thi
days paper to the publication of the New
Constitution. AS many viii be prcvente,
BY its length, from giving it an immediat,
perusal, we sa9join an epitome Of its more
important provisions, prepared by the Rich
mond Times:
Nearly all State and county officer,
are TO be elected by the people. including
the Governor and Lieutcnant-G Governor, tht
Judges Of the Supreme, District and Cir
cult Courts, aud the Justices Of the Peace
Commonwealth Attorneys, Clerks ant
Sheriffs.
The Legislatures to be apportioned, tn,
House Of Delegates on the suffrage basi.
with a Western majority of fourteen, ant
the Senate with an Eastern majority Of ter
which arrangement is to continue unit
1868, when the Legislature may agree up
on new apportionment, or submit the
question of basis TO the people.
Taxes are to be al ralorem, except that
slaves under twelve years of age are cx-
empted. White males twenty-onc years
old are opay capitation tax equal to the
tax on 5000 worth of land. Slaves over
twelve years Of age are not to pay more
than the tax on $500 worth Of land. And
licenses, incomes, and salaries may be taxed
at the discretion Of the Legislature.
Seven per cent. of the existing debt of
tie State, and ofe'e cry future debt, is to be
set apart annually for the payment of the
interest and principal.
The New Constitution is to be submit
ted to the voters qualified under it, on the
fourth Thursday in October, the returns
made to the Governor, and if he proclaim
it ratified, the Legislature then elected is to
be superseded by the new Legislature,
which will be elected on the second Mon
day in December and will meet on the
second Monday in January, and thereafter
the sessions, viii be biennial.
From this summary recapitulation it viii
be perceived, says the Times, that the
prominent notifications ofthepresent Con
stltuiion consist in the adoption of the sys-
TEN Unpopular elections in all departments
Of the Government, in the abandonment Of
the principle Of the representation of pro.
perty, and in requiring the Legislature to
provide for the payment of the present and
every future public debt"
With some of the features of the propos-
ed system, we are very much pleased: to
some others, we entertain strong objections.
But we regard the whole subject as pre-
judged and have no thought Of opposing
the adoption Of the New Constitution. We
may from time to time offer remarks upon
its separate provisions, but with no view Of
preventing its ratification by the people
Indeed we consider that they have already
passed upon it. in the vote calling the Con
vention and in the election, throughout the
State, Of those Candidates who advocated
the changes IN our form of Government,
which have been made. There can Be no
doubt, we think, that the Constitution will
be ratified by an overwhelming majority.
=
Eg- The Democratic Party inthis State,
have determined, (at least the State Cen
trail committee have determined for them, J
to hold convention in Stanton, on the
24th of September next. In referring to
its objects the Richmond Enquirer says:
"Wc have not only to arouse the people to
the important Congressional clectionin DC
tober next-but the State Convention NAV
also feel called upon, in case there be deci-
dcd indications Of the ratification Of the
new Constitution, Of which no one ha.
any doubt, to nominate good and true men,
strong with the people, as candidates for
the high Offices of Governor, Lieutenant
Governor and Attorney General. We
trust we do not so too far when we say
that we fndit to be the general sentiment
Of democrats in the Convention from all
parts of Virginia, that for the first election
some strong man from the West be taken
up for Governor, and strong man from
the East for Lieutenant Governor-regu-
larly alternating at each election. 1t is gen
orally understood that the wings viii run
some Western man for Governor"
TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Richard E. Byrd, Esq, has accepted the
nomination for Congress in this District,
made by Democratic Convention, on the