The New York herald., 1861-12-17
NEWS FROM the SOUTH.
he Defences OF Norfolk and
Portsmouth.
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Brief Of the Amended Consti-
tuition Of Virginia.
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SIOvements Of the Rebel General
ZOllicOlfer.
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THE REBEL WAR TAX.
Rebel Soldiers Moving from Western Virginia
to South Carolina.
ANEOUS NEWS,
&C., &C., &c
CHE REBEL WAR TAX.
edISCELLANEO NEWS,
&C., &C., &c.


&C., &C., &c.
Again We prepare for the readers OF tho HERALD CON-
ation Of from the secession papers Of the South
win be found Of general interest tho reader who
may be anxious keep fully advised of the movements
n the rebel States:--
rHE DEFENcEs OF NORFOLK AND PORTsMoUTH-ARE
THEY SUFFICIENT
From the Norfolk Day Book, Dec. IL
The cities Of Norfolk and Portsmouth generally re-
Earded being from the approach Of inva
Gers by either land or sea- Very much--perhaps al
Fection Of the gallant and efficient soldier com
nandng this post to render our deences perfect But
ch is the nesmabe importance TO the confederacy OF
The Navy Yard with all its valuable stores and machine
eho s. hat nothing should be left undone, however un-
tack IL any way contribute to protect it from falling into
She hands Of the enemy. We have always regarded
attack upon this place, at some time during the war; as
very probable There Is no place in the Southern con-
acy that the Yankees much desire to possess
hs Navy Yard and tho loss OF which would
cause much injury. Its many and capacious store
houses 1ed with materials for building and equip
ping ships that could not bo procured in this country at
this time, at any cost.
The extensive, varied and costly machinery which we
IRE now employing there so usefuly, could not, If de-
stroyed, be replaced by any efforts during the con-
tinuance of the war; great deal Of work done there
enno perhaps, be accomplished at any other point in
She nnederacy The federal government knows as well
rs our the quantity and value Of those vast stores OF
materials and the extent and Importance TO US OF all that
unrvaci machinery which has been SO beautifully illus
tratng for several months past for good and in
service, its wonderful adap alton TO the varied work
performs. further that deprived of its use,
should be most seriously, if not rreparably, embar
In the preparation Of the necessary OF do
fence. No form adequate conception OF the
extent and value of that yard and s treasures except
from prolonged and careful examination Of them To
tho conederaoy its value not be estimated In money
The importan and value Of several cities however
great in the RESIDENTS s but trivial to the consedcracy in
furnishing material aid for the common defence when
contrasted with that Of tho Gosport Navy Yard. Its
protection, hen against any and every attack involves
the most serious responsibility on the part Of the militia
~ authorities to whom its security has been entrusted
and requires that every possible means Of defence shall
oe employed 10 effect the desired object.
AT this the question addresses itself to the
ment and the General commanding the forces here with
peculiar signihcancywhs.her the preparations to resist
the consequent waste OF life tho destruction OF property
the loss to the confederacy of the most important Of its
workshops, and OF its only magazine OF naval stores
would reflect terrible responsibility upon those 70 whose
neglect want Of foresight these most deplorablo cir
'cupsances might be attributed.
We have heard the suggestion ofttimes made of late by
antcsent gentlemen that II might be prudent 70 increase
the ostructons In tho Channel Of the river leading TO th,
city. As of pecaution this is worthy Ct
daa attention. The commander OF the fede al fleet AZ Hi
to- ad attributed his success TO the facility with VIII ch
hsvcsses could pass and repass batteries pour
theu at epeated broadsdes Whilst II is most imubdb
that the federal vessels can succeed IN getting by
snoc batteries, there should be ssbiity OF their
doing The channel Of the river is in many places
narrow and can BIO perfectly INSTRUCTED by piles
other means. The distractions the channel may
b. sul Gent bat wero yefy unwie not to increase
them so 70 render it well nigh IN bic for the
feccsi ships To get over them. We therefore invite the
attention lf military leaders here in command
the wson o. executing this suggest ion. To the coun Ills
OF Norfolk AID Po tsmouth woad say that If the mill
tary neglect this most important meas re upon you
devolves TO carry it out The homes OF yolr people
dear to them and their security mist not be hazarded
while any mcals Of prevention can be tried.
Upon both military and civil authorities rest III,
responsibility Of seeing this great Of precauton
and prevention completed. We shall lock with anxiety
~ see how 1t will DO met
THE AMENDED CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.
From the Norfolk Day Book, Dec I2.l
For the benefit of readers, insert the following
synopsis of the changes that have been made in the
stituti0n OF the State Of Virginia by the Convention
mond. 1t will be found matter worthy Of being pre-
served for future reference enables the reader
come at the changes almost at glance We indebted
TO the Richmond WING for 1t.
The important changes made in the organic law are
follows
l. Members OF the House OF Delegates to be elected
annually instead Of biennlally
The Senate to be divided into four classes, two o.
twelve and two of thirteen MEMBERS be elected alter
uatey in rotation that class shall be elected every
At present there two classes elected every
two years.
s. The General Assembly to meet every year instead Of
bcnniay The limitation Of the length Of session
scinded
Governor is not to be declared elected unless he has
ceved majority of the whole number of cast. II
person receive such majority, the General Assembly
select the Governor from the persons,
three, having the highest number OF votes.
g. The present Board Of Public Works as constitution
ally organized abolished but the General Assembly
required to establish Board subject to its control
O. Instead Of one Supreme Court Of Appeals there shall
be two Appellate Courts to consist Of three Judges each
to be court OF law, the other OF equity.
Z. The District Courts abolished
g. The General Assembly is invested with power
the number Of judicial circuits AT present the
number is limited to twentyone.
O. The Judges Of the Appellate Circuit Courts
70 be elected by the General Assembly instead by
qualified voters as ut present.
TO- The said judges to hold Office during good be.
havior until they attain the age of seventy years
removed instead Of term Of years practced
Judges Of circuit courts are not required to be thirty
H. Justices of the Peace to be elected by the qualified
voters for twelve years. but Of the number
be elected every three years Vacancies in the oce OF
Justice to bo filed by the justices Of the county the
residue of the unexpired term.
IL. Clerks and Attorneys for the Commonwealth for
either circuit or county court to be appointed by their
respective courts instead Of being elected by the peopo
49, Tho Attorney General to be appointed by the Gene
by the people for term OF years as at present.
H. Sherifs to be nominated by the county courts and
appointed by the Governor, and to be eligible for any
term they have duly accounted for all public dues At
present shes elected by the people for term
and are not eligible for the Office for the
eeeding term.
Is. Constables &C., to be appointed by the county
courts.
is. Only the Mayor. Aldermen and members Of the
councils of the cities and be elected by the peo
pie The various officers to be appointed by the
Council, others by ths Hastings Court.
among the MINOR and verbal amendments are the fol-
Commissioned officers, soldiers, seamen or marines in
inc regunr amy 0nstead OF Sin the service) Of the
Sontederate states 10 30 excluded from the right of
age The object OF this amendment is to reserve the
right OF voting to volunteers In the service
3 The city OF Portsmouth is authorized 10 send one
delegate and the residue Of the county OF Norfolk
delegate to the General Assembly Al present two
collectively. - ~ '
T. Excludes tho clause requiring the resnac,,n.n, Al
any act or section Of proposed TO be ~
the General Assembly. ~
g. Empowers the General Assembly Ia nroh;h,. a.,
ture emancipation Of slaves shs iu'
o. fxcludes the provision requiring moietv Of u.
captaton ax upon white persons TO BE- applied 10 ths
purposes OF education in primary schools :" 'u0
T. Excludes the clause relative TO the division =, 49,.
>lss city miles In length, &c. y 0oun'
tNiuaes the section requiring decennal census
O. -eises the General Assembly 10 nass law. tn J.,
r,gb,. I speedy trial by jury &c. as guaranteed by
the Bill Of Righ, :. Ia ha he,d r,or.,, S.,