Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-02
VIRGINIA CONVENTION,

MoNDAY, June 23rd Mr.. Stanard's resolution
for the appointment uf a committee 10 lay OF The
State into five judicial sections, was laid on the Ia
BILE Tor the present.
The Convention then went into Committee OF
the Whole on the Judiciary question. IL was ne,
cided that the Judges OF the Court OF Appeals sna'i
hold their Office for the term of twelve years. Inc
age Of the Judge to be limited 10 ~ years, alter
which he shall be Ineligible.
On motion of Mr.. Ferguson. an amenemeEt was
adopted, leaving the fixing OF the uuie wnen judi
cial paw shall cInmence To the Legislature.
Pendinu mllion 10 strike out the whole pro-
vision relative to this subject, the Convention ad-
jourued.
Tresp,Y.-A proposition to hold evening ses-
sions was voted down. Mr.. Bocock offered, in
Committee Of the Whole, i provision for the first
general election under the new Constitution, to be
fixed by law, sOmetme previous 10 the Both day oi
June 1852.
The discussion upon the Judiciary Report was
then resumed and was kept up until late hnhr'
Mr. Chiffon of Fauquier, speaking an hour. lue
question then rOse as to whether he should DC per
mtted to continue his remarks beyond the hour' as
it was coutended that the one hour RUE ap-
piled to the Convention and not 10 .ne COh-
mittee OF the Whole. Mr.. Chiffon yielded the
"'NNN ENN
tion could be settled, and thereupon protraced
debate. was carried on in discussing the the some
Aou, rq,le.n Numerous amendments to this rule
were offered-some shortening the time-others
lengthening it. 1t was finally agreed that the rule
should operate both in Committee ofthe Whole and
in the Convention.
WEDNESDAY.-The Convention decided thai
Circuit Judges should be re-eligibe without an in
teryening term, and fixed their term Of office al
years; and also agreed to invite the President to
visit the Convention during his stay in Richmond.
THURsDAY-The committee. by a vote OF %
ayes to 81 noes struck out the clause giving to the
district court original jurisdiction over any chance
nv case which may have been transferred to them
by consent OF parties.
In each section there shall be two district courts,
to be held by the circuit Judges of the section and
by the Judge Of the Court of Appeals elected for
that section; any three ofwhom may constitute a
court but the Judge who may have set on the
trial Of any case in the circuit court shall not sit or
the trial Of the same case in the district court.
Various efforts were made to fix the salaries o
&he Court Of Appeals Judges, all of which failed
and the committee rose.
Mr. Anderson, in answer to question, said hi
thought the committee On apporiunment (under tn
-comprOmlse) would report next week.
FaIDAY.-The Convention in Committee OF tn
Whole, determined to make Co mm0nweaIth's ant
County Attorney, one and the same office for 81!
years, and to be elected by the qualified voters IL
their respective counties. The other sections o
the Judiciary Report were permitted to remain a
they were. Half past eleven O'Clock having ar
rived, the President of the Cated States was re
ceiyed,
SArURpAY.-Ia Committee Of the Whole,
proposition To- pay Jurors was rejected. The par
ofJuticiary was then reported to the Convention
Tue Bill Of Rights was taken up in Commttee
and aushdel rs In declare that the trial by jury
ofto3lse man shall b. retained. A resolution was
adopted in Convention for the appointment of ;
committee oil twelve to lay off the Judicial section;
Sc