Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-31


basis of representation, submitted report
| Mr.. Nash submitted minority report.
The committee recommended the basis lately
used in the registration of the State under the
reconstruction acts, and placed the number of
representatives in the House of Delegates at
one Tor every 300 voters, and one additional
where there are as many as 900 over, and one
tor each county with at least 900 voters Rich
mond city was put down as entitled to six dele
gates, Henrico two and altogether there shall
be one hundred and thirty eight members in
Henrlco are put down as senatorial district,
entitled to three senator's The Senate to be
composed Of forty two members. The minority
report recommended eighty-four delegates and
twenty-five senators. Considerable discussion
ensued as to what should be done with the re-
ports; which was continued until the morning
hour expired, when the order of the day was
taken up without disposing of the report.
JUDICIARY.
The fifth section of the report on the judiciary
was under consideration. 1t was adopted, as
follows, after some discussion
rs. The judges shall be chosen by the joint
vote of the two Houses of the General Assem-
bly,, and shall hold their Office for term Of II
years. They shall, when chosen, have held a
judicial station in the United States, or shall
have practioed law in this or some other State
for FIVE years. y
A resolution providing against afternoon ses-
sions on Saturdays was carried.
The sixth section was adopted, as follows:
IS. The officers of the Supreme Court of Ap-
peas shall be appointed by the said court, or
by the judges thereof in vacation. Their du-
tles compensation, and tenure of office, shall be
prescribed by law"
The seventh section was adopted, as follows:
~. The Supreme Court Of Appeals shall
hold its sessions at two or more places in the
State, to be fixed by law
Mr. Porter offered an additional section, to
come In after the seventh; which was not voted
on, as there was no quorum present.
The Convention then adjourned.
MONDAY, March 23.-By vote of ayes 46
General shall be elected by the people. His
duties and responsibilities are as at present.
JUDICIAL CIRCUITS.
The eleventh section dividing the State into
sixteen circuits was adopted
The twelfth and thirteenth are as follows:
II. The counties of Frederick Clarke, War
ren, Page, Shenandoah and Rockingham shall
constitute the twelfth circuit.
IS. The counties of Augusta, Rockbrdge,
Bath, Highland and Allegheny shall constitute
the thirteenth circuit
The General Assembly may re-arrange said
circuits, or any OF them: and increase or re-dl-
vide the number thereof, when the public inte-
rests shall require it.
For each circuit judge shall be chosen by
the joint vote Of the two houses of the General
Assembly who shall hold his Office for a term
of eight years, unless sooner removed In the
manner prescribed by this constitution. He
shall, when chosen, possess the same qualifica
I'D co4<l Of A
peals: and at the time Of his election and du-
ring his continuance in Office shall reside in the
circuit Ct which be is judge.
CIRCUIT COURTS.
A circuit court shall be held, at least twice a
year, by the judges Of each circuit, in every
county and corporation thereof. wherein a cir
cult court is now or may hereafter be establish
ed But the judges may be required or autho-
rized to hold the courts of their respective cir
cults alternately, and judge OF one circuit to
hold court In any other circuit.
COUNTY JUDGES.
County Judges are to be elected by joint
vote of the two houses of the General Assem-
bly for all counties having population offs 700.
Where the population is less, the counties are
to be thrown together, and constitute district
to be determined by population.
Mr.. Mclaughlin, without success, endeavor-
ed to get the convention to engraft In the con-
stitution provision requiring persons elected
Judges TO be residents of the counties in which
they are elected at the time of their election,
and remain so during their continuance In office.
Mr.. Hine was fnghtfully exercised lest this
provision would put rebel lawyers In Office
His party is determined that none such shall be
eligible.
Pending the consideration of the section in
regard to the salaries of judges, the hour for re-
cess arrived, when the animals retired to feed.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The remainder of the report of the commit
tee on the judiciary was adopted, which pro-
vides that the salary of Judge of the Supreme
Court of Appeals shall not be less than four
thousand dollars per annum, that of a Circuit
Judge not less than three thousand dollars per
annum, and that of Judge of a county, dis
trict or corporation court, shall not be less than
thousand dollars per annum, and each
shall receive reasonable allowance tor neces-
sary travel,
Also, for the removal of Judges by the Gen
eral Assembly.
Judges are to continue in Office until their
successors are appointed.
Writs shall run in the name OF the Common
wealth of Virginia, and be attested by the clerks
of the several courts. Indictments shall con-
clude against the peace and dignity ofthe Com
mOnwealth.
TUESDAY, March 24.-The action of the con-
vention makes the dsfranchising clause OF the
constitution identical with that passed by Con-
gress.
QUALIFICATION FOR OFFICE.
After speeches upon speeches., motions upon
motions, and roll calls upon roll calls, it was sol
emnly resolved by the negroes en- masse and all
of the white Radicals, except Messrs. Allan,
Lvdick, Maddox, Nash, Parr, Poore, Reid,
Thomas, Winston, and Wicker, to require not
only the Governor, Lieutenant. Governor, Au-
ditor. Treasurer and Attorney General to take
ssthe accursed iron clad oath, but all other
State officers, as we'll as city, town and county
oficers-in a word, that no one shall be con-
stable in Virginia who sympathlzed with OF AID
ed the Southern cause. -
This section was introduced by Mr.. Hlne IN
two doses--frst the Governor and leading State
officers. and secondly all other officers For the
first Mr.. Maddox voted but after the adoption
of the second, against which he voted, he NOV
ed that the same oath be administered to all
voters Here there were lusty cries from the
Radical side for an adjournment
DURATIoN OF ANIMAL LIFE.-The following
is scale of the average duration of animal life,
from the most celebrated writers on natural his
torv: "A hare will live 10 years, cat 10, a
goat 8, an ass 80, sheep 10, dog from IA to
20, an OK 20, swine 25, pigeon s, turtle
dove 25 a raven 100, an eagle 100, goose 100.
The inventor of the fitting hoops has made a
f,rtnpo Some enterpriSiDp fellow might make