Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-12-19
DoIngs OF the RIehmond Convention.
i-Amsndmonts made to the state
Constltnlion. .-.---. J. Wy
IFrOm the NOrfolk Day Book, nee l2J I

q n 81
For the benefit of our realers. we insert
the following synopsis Of the ctIHges thNt
have been made Ia the Constitution of the
State Of Virginia bY the Convention which
recently closed its Protrseted session in
Richmond. 1t will he fonud q matter
worthy oi,6ring preserved tor future rrGer5
en5e, as IT enables the reader to come ~
tue changes almost at glance. We are
indebted to the Richmond Raig. for it.
The important changes made in the or
ganir law are as follows - .-
1. Members ofthe House ofDelegates 10
be elected annually Instead of hisnnt4lly.
g. The Senate TO be divided into four
classes, two of twelve aud two Of thirteea
tatiOn so that one class shall be elected
every ear. Atpreseut there are two cias-
ses, one elected every two yeArs
g. The Gsneral Assembly TO meet every
year instead of hienuially- The limitation
Of IN length OF session is ezeipded-
4. The person having the highest num-
ber OF votes for Governor is not TO be de-
clared elected unless he has received a ma-
ioriIy of the whole number flvOtes cast.
If no person receive such majority, the
General Assembly To, select the Governor
from the persons, not exceeding three, hay-
fng the highest Number Of votes.
8. The present Board Of Public Works,
as consGtutiou4lly organized. 10 abolishei.
bat the General, Assembly ~ required TO
establish d Board subject TO its contral.
6. Instead 0f one Supreme Court Of APP
peaIs there shall be TWO Appellate Courts
to consist of three Judges each, ono 20 be
a court of law, the other 4 court of eqni-
". .stdB tFr.a4o1 s9fnetf
4. The District Courts are abolished.
8. The General Assembly is invested
with power to increase the numbe of ju-
dicial circuits AT present the number Is
limited 20 twspty Gue.
The Judges of the Appellate and Cir
cult Courts are to be elected by lIe Gener-
al Assembly. instead OF by the qualified
voters as at present.
10. The said Judges ate to hold oliee
dutiug good bebayior,i or until they attain
theiMge of seventy years, or are removed.
instead OF d term of years, As now prac-
tieed. Judges of Circuit Courts are not
required to be thirty years OF age. :
il. Justices of the Peace, to be elected
by the qualified voters fofEtwelve years,
but -fourthof The nuniber'to be elected
every three ye4rs. Yesfpeles IN the once
OF Justice 10 be filled by the justices Of
the eouHrJ for the residue Of the uueE-
pfred teffuI p 7.if- - 4il9 t-st
m6awe,llth for either circuit OF, county
court 70 be appointed by their respective
courts, instead Of being elected by the
people, 80
IS. The Attorney General TO be ap-
pointed by ,the GenentI Assembly for an
inde6nite tenure Ir office, instead Of by
the people for term Of years as At pres-
ent t.ss ~ 10,
IL. sherfHs TO be nomiuatea by the
c0adIy Courts andRppoTnted by the Gov-
srn6r, and 70 hs eligible for any tern. IF
they have duly accounted for all public
dues. AT present s6sriffs are seIected by
the people for one term, and are not eliRi-
glble for the nexr succeedipE term, -a,s
Is. Ooastabies, ike., are t8 be appointed
BY the County Oourts.7t naH tH5ss-'i
To- Only the Mayor. AldermauBnd mem-
berg OF the Councils Of the citiesand toWna
to be elected BY the people. The various
officers to be appointed, some BY the Coun-
ellis, others by the Hastings Court.
Among the minor and verbal amend
ments arc the following:
Commissioned officers, soldiers, sesmen
or marines in the regular army (fnHread of
nin the seryfceF') Of the Cgufederate States
70 be excIuied frpm she right ofnsudrdse.
The object Of this amendment is 70 RE-
serve The right Of voting TO the volunteers
ia the service.
q. Tho city Of Portsmouth Is authorized