Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-12-10
Amendments to the Constitutions.

The Riphplondf Wing furpishss.the following
summary of the amendments to the State Con-
stitution adopted BY the Convention: i
l. Members of the House of Delegates to be
elected annually instead OF 6aennaalty.
Q. The Senate to be divided into four classes,
two of twelve, and two of thirteen members, to
be elected alternately, in rotation SO that one
class shall be elected eoery gear. At present
there are ta0O class s, one elected every too
years. 5~...-y - 4
8. The General Assembly to meet eoe'y gear
instead OF biennially. The limitation OF the
length of session is exscnded.
4. The person having the highest number OF
votes for Governor is not to be declared elected
unless he has received d majority OF the ~hote1
number OF 0otes cast. If NO person receive such
majority, the General Assembly to select the
Governor from the persons, not exceeding three,
having the highest number OF votes.
5. The present Board of Public Works, as con-
stitutionally organized, is abolished. but the
General Assembly isrequred to establish Board
subject to its control.
6. Instead of one Supreme Court of Appeals,
there shall be too Appellate Courts, to consist OF
three judges each, one to be Court of Law, the
other Court of equity.
7. The District Courts are abolished.
8. The General Assembly are invested wi b
power TO increase the'number OF judicial circuits.
At present, the number is limited to twenty-one.
g. The Judges Of the Appellate and Circuit
Courts are TO be elected by the General Assem-
bly,, instead of by the qualified voters as at pres
ent. iyE1 10 lDA
10. The said judges are to hold effice during
good 5eaojor, or until they attain the age of sew
enty years, or are removed, instead of a term OF
years, as now practsed. Judges of Circsit
Courts a-e not required to be thirty years of age.
H. Justices of the Peace to be electe1 by the
qualified votersyfor twelyeyears but one-tourth
| Of the Duinberto be elected every three years
Vacancies in the office of Justice to be filled by
the justices of the county tor the residue of the
lanexpired term. ~ - -
|: 70. Clerks and Attorneys for the Common
wealth for either OirYuit,or County Courts to be
fappoanted by their respective courts, instead OF
being elected by the people p a1s4 e.s T8' ei.s
| 13. The Attorney General to be appointed by
the General Assembly, for an indefinite tenure
of Office, instead of by the people for q term OF
/ years, as at fresent. a @t9aost tssoia
| IA. Sheriffs to b.. nominated by the County
Courts, and appointed by the Governor, and to
be eligible reappointhent fora any term, if they
lhavet duly accounred for all public dues, AT
present sherifs are elected BY the people for one
term, and are not eligible to the same office for
the next succeeding term. daas0 p beg e
Is. Constables, etc:+,,sto be appointed BY tbs
County Courts. -. go ..sa.'g
16. Only the Mayor Aldermen, and members
of the Council of cities and towns ito be elected
by the people,, The various officers to be ap.
tpointed, some by the Council, others b. the
Hastings Court. .ga.5 NV + '.f.f. .s5irgrls
Among the minor and verbal amendments are
the following: bgeigr.I.. f, yl.4i,i.e1 5zIvt9y
X Commissioned ofic RS, soldiers, sea nen, or
aImarines IN heregular army Cnstead of sin the
ded from the right of suffrage. The Object Of
| this amendment is to reserve the right OF voting
/ to VOLUNTEERS in the service.
8. The city of Portsmouth is authorized to
send one delegate, and the residue of the county
of Norfolk another delegate to the General AS
sembly. At present two delegates are elected
by the voters of the city and county collectively
4. Exscinds the clause requiring the RE-ENAoT-
MENT of any act proposed to be amended by the
General Assembly.
IS. Empowers the General Assembly to prohib-
| it the future emancipation of slaves s8ast
| 6. Exscinds the provision REQUIRING moiety
! of the capitation tax upon white persons to be
| applied to the purposes of education in primary
schools.
| Z. Exscinds the clause relative to the division
of counties fifty miles in length, etc.
s. Exscinds the section requiring decennial
census.
| 9. Requires the General Assembly to pass laws
to ensure rights of speedy trial by jury ETC., as
guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
10. County Courts to be held monthly by three
ijustices, except when the law requires the pres
! ence of larger number.