The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-05

| The new constitsto. Of virsssia.
We have already announced that the convention of Vir
pinia which has been sitting al Richmond dunng the last
eight months has length agreed upon the form OF
constitution for that State, and brought the session 10
close.
| The Richmond Times eptomzes some Of the most i'm.
porant provisions OF the constitution follows:
Nearly all Stale and county officers are TO be elected by
the people, Including The governor and lieutenant gov
enor, the judges OF The supreme, district. and circuit
courts. and the justices of the peace, Commonwe alhs
attorneys, clerks, and sherfs.
The legislature is be apporoned the house OF dele
gates on the suffrage basis with western majority OF
fourteen and The senate with eastern majority oil en
which arrangement TO continue uni, 1865, when the
Legislature may agree upon new apporlonment, or sub
mil the question OF basis TO the people.
Taxes are 10 be adj uatorem. except that slaves under
twelve Years OF age exempted White males twenty
on $500 worth OF land. Slaves twelve years OF
10 pay than The tax $500 worth of land.
And licenses, incomes aud salaries may be taxed at The
discretion of the legislature
Seven per cent Of the existing debt of the State and of
future debt to be set apart annually of the pay
ment OF the interest and principal.
! The constitution is 10 be submitted to the voters
qualified under the fourth Thursday in October, the
returns made to the governor. and he procaims II ra
ned The legislature then elected TO be superseded by the
legislature, which will be elected on the second
Monday in December, and will meet the second Mon.
day in January and thereafter The sessions VIII be ben-
NAL.
From this summary recapulaton it will be perceived,
says the Times, that the prominent notifications oil the
OF popular elections in all departments of the government
the abandonment OF the principle OF the representation
property and in requiring the Legislature to provide Tor
the payment OF The present and every future pubic debt
OF the closing of the convention Friday, the
Richmond Enquirer says:
At IL, IN, the convention reassembled (but few
lett watch the work the finishing stroke put 10
the constitution, viz the signing OF the enrolled inslru.
by the president and secretary That over, Colonel
Johnson, OF Harrson-the worthy governor eect-who,
the Oldest member OF the body had the first day OF
lis meeting, called to ORDER rose in the same capacity
10 the final adjournment He accompanied the mo.
ton with few eloquent and touching remarks. The
motion was carried and the president announced the
convention adjourned due. Here the curtain falls
upon the acting OF one OF the most arduous. important.
and intensely interesting bodies that convened in the
Old Dominion. II for The psopelhe great tribunal
after anow TO take the work and to apply 10 their
solemn sanction. We doubt That they will do
the latter and give vitality to organic law, which, IN
belief, will cement all parts OF the blessed old
Commonwealth, will develop and regenerate the
ges and State pride of people, and place Virginia
the high road OF power usefulness prosperity and moral
influence
The following is the admirable vaedctoy address de-
vered by Hon. John Y Mason the president Of the con-
venon
! GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: My heart is filled
with emotions which almost dsqualfy me from address
elected TO this body when did not reside amongst
| them. and did not solicit their support You, with
kindness not less generous called to preside
your deliberations and alter considering and debang
with all the eager interest natural the OCCASION ques
tons OF The gravest Importance, during proraced
son you have expressed appreciation of my conduct
with pro ound sensiblity, the obligations under which
stand and with all sincerity thank you Tor your uniform
Kindness and consideration and especially Tor this graft
lying evidence OF your appreciation.
Our session has occupied many months. trust will
be excused for awaiting myself of the occasion 10 bear my
humble testimony 10 the untrng industry and selfsac
fhcing devotion which you have brought TO the service
| The subjects on which you have acted are OF vast
magnitude, and time was necessary to the due perform
~ f.,tt ID
&C, OF justice do not go further, and declare the opn
ion, sincerely enter tanned. that have served with
debeasve body combining more talent, character and
propreiy of department.
The convention OF 1929 bore on its rolls those sons
of Virginia. however advanced in life who had earned
public confidence by serving their country her places
highest trust. IL was august assemblage
You are generally young men, You cannot point to
such long career OF public service But in talent cu
tiyaon enlightened patriotism, In those elements which
quality for public usefulness, am proud 10 say that
this convention shows that the of Virginia have not
degenera'ed 1t IS pleasing reflection that my arduous
duties have been relieved BY your uniform support, and
their extreme delrcacy forgotten In your generous conf
dencethai amidst the exci,emenis of debate the coure
OF life have not been forgotten and the kindly feel
ings of our nature have alway predominated
Your aduous Iabors have ended, and the amended
su,on. the result OF those labor. will be submit
ted for the decision Of the people OF Virginia OF lis
promise 10 promote the public good, OF the wisdom OF
lis provisions in detail, diversity of opinion will exist
But, gentlemen permit me TO eYbort YOU your return
to your constituents. 10 exert all your influence 10 aay
sectional strife, and to promote cordial faternal feeling
amongst the people OF our beloved Commonwealth. We
are brothers OF family with historic reco
ecuons, with common present interests, and with
mon future hopes And we must remember that Virginia.
united is been one OF the nobest States oil
the coniederacy contemplate what she would
be if by intestine feuds il ranticaly seeking her
own dissolution.
| | humhly pray that the decision OF her people the
nded constitution rebound 10 their happiness. and
| 10 the honor and prosperity oil the State.
| Gentlemen. during the session il has pleased Almighty
God to visit OF the members OF The convention with
most sfl Give dispensalons. Our bereaved colleagues
have bad our heartfelt sympathy. But we should &C
wledke, with humble gratitude that 1t has been His
good pleasure 10 spare the members OF this body In
August last the people elected hundred and thirty FIVE
citizens TO represent them here without OF
tally you all return to your constituents TO render
count OF the manner in which you have discharged the
high trust
/ | wish you, gentlemen, safe return 10 your homes
May each and all OF you ENJOY health and happiness and
may you long live to this ancient Common ealth
uned and happy at home, honored and respected
abroad.