The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-21

we propose is TO strike the whole Of this sys.
fem from the constitution and leave it to
the Legislature, in which all localities, in
terests, and classes, Will be fully represent
ed ITO regulate thegwhole subject by laws,
which will be at all times open to modifca-
ton and Improvement, such as experience
may suggest or the public interest may re-
quire. - 7stis 7E7si
The xtmodifcation proposed by US is
TO strike out the provisions in article eleven
relating to, homestead and other exemp-
tions. The laws Of Virginia now in force
provide for homestead and other exemp-
tions, prospective In their operation. The
provisions of these laws are believed to be
not materially different from those in the
proposed constitution, except. in regard to
past indebtedness, as to which we regard
the proposed provision as clearly in con-
fict with the Constitution. of the United
States.a The chief Importance which we
attach to striking out this provision grows
out Gifts injurious effect upon the minds
of the people, whose necessities already in
cline, them to look with, favor upon any
suggestion Of relief from pecuniary obli-
cation. s.r.ft Y,.ag.g.,3 es. E3a.Ea =
The only remaining suggestion of modi-
fcation is as to the maximum of taxation
for local free school purposes, in article
eight, section eight. )'''a'-a
It will be,observed. that we have made no
objection to the school system proposed ex-
cept 90 far depends on the3local organ
ization, to whichswe have already referred.
No objection is offered in any quarterto
the establishment of q, thorough system, of
free public schools, at least as rapidly as
the proposed constitution requires and al
though we have asked to strike out the mode
of local taxation proposed we have sug,
gested 8 modification which avoids any
diminution of the. amount to be raised by
taxation for public free school purposes. =
In suggesting the notifications referred
to we by no means wish to be understood
as conceding that the proposed constitution
is free from what we regard as important
defects in other particulars, but we do not
understand it to be the purpose of Congress
to interfere in such matters further than
may be required by high considerations
affecting the integrity of the constitution
and the maintenance ofjustice and domes-
tic tranquility. We have, therefore, con-
fined our objections to provisions of the
proposed constitution falling properly, as we
believe, within the scope of such an inter
position p. a-.-g-3g7: .uau.
The clauses which we ask to have stricken
out from the proposed constitution are Of
different degrees Of Importance but the
least important, we think, will be found to
involve some grave public mischief or in
Justice. Those included in our first sug
gestion could not but plunge our State into
civil anarchy and discord, and disturb the
general and growing harmony Of the two
races of our people, if not to array them
in deplorable hostility to one another.
They would arrest immigration, paralyze
all forms Of industry, destroy our domestic
peace and hope of prosperity, and render
us burden to the Union, instead of an i'm
oortant addition to its resources, wealth !,
credit, and power. -a
In our personal interview with the COM
mittee we called their attention to provi
sions of the proposed constitute and
especially to that relating to usury, as in-
stances Of the insertion into constitution
of matters peculiarly proper to be left to
ordinary legislation. The provision in re-
gard to usury is one new in Virginia, and
will establish policy which, whatever
may be its merits, must seriously affect all
the material interests of our people.
1t is respectfully submitted for the con-
sideration of the committee whether a
measure of Legislation SO important, and in
regard to which opinion is 30 much divided,
ought to be fixed in the constitution, and
80 placed beyond legislative control.
AS to the mode of granting relief from
the mischievous provisions to which we
have referred-to wit, by act of Congress-,
suggesting notifications as fundamen ntal
conditions precedent-we desire to say that
it has been suggested as the result Of an
examination of the precedents found in the
past legislation of Congress, and upon con-
sultation with number Of the wisest and
most experienced members Of both Houses.
In the preparation of the amendments pro-
posed to the pending bill we have endea-
vored fairly to follow the precedents estsb-
lished in like cases and we may be per-
mitted to suggest, in conclusion, that we be-
lieve it will be found that the notifications
proposed by us will in fact conform the pro-
posed constitution to the principles and
policy of the reconstruction acts.ag
!. 1t lis, perhaps, proper to say we, and
those with whom we act, though concur
ring, as We believe, with the people of Vir-
ginia, do not claim to be authorized to speak
for them.
Respectfully, your obedient servants,
ALEXANDER FL. H. STUART,
- - JoHN,B. BALDWIN,
TgWYNDHAM ROBERTSON,
.,....,o w. T. SuTHERLIN, .geHgn
ls.1ngg JAMES NEEsoN, .2aSa.s
r~...9-s J. f. JOHNSON, .s-E&aS
~ w. L. OWEN, 2s
...el J. L. MARYE, JR., Ok
J. F. SLAUGHTER, -
"a ..&z Committee.
"a Washington city, January Is, 1868.
=, The following are the changes IN the pro-
posed Virginia constitution which the com
mittee will ask Congress to enact :zg03
H. r. ], ,4S5-Bill entitled IAN act pro-
yiding for an election in Virginia"
Amendments suggested fol-. the sconsidera-
ton Of the Senate COMMITTEES of the Judi
ciary:yUg sa&ifJ3 -aAgJa
Firstramendment-Strike out the whole
of the first section after the enacting clause,
and insert in lieu thereof three sections, as
follows: -.
That the State of Virginia shall be enti-
tied and admitted to representation in Con-
gross as a State Of the Union when the
s,,to,,o ~ t}o .ooid Stata wboS M thp time Of