South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-08-11
The Convention Question.
Election Day, Al 7aIr,aas 2n August

al the recent Mass Meeting in Berkeley county.
They cover the whole ground as TO the Conveu-
ton question, and we hope will be carefully ex-
amined 10y every reader Of our paper
Rcsoivea, L That 1T Is ExPEDrENr 20
hold a Convention, at an carly day 10 re-
form and remodle the present Constitution
of this State.
Rcsotced, | l. That the experience of the
last niue years, during which time this
constitution has been III operation, has very
satisfactorily shown that it has been pow
ertess to protect those Fundamental privi-
ieges, which of right belong to the citizens
OF every Free Government. In illustration
OF the truth of this proposition, we refer to
the following facts:
lst. That within that period, more than
ten thOus and of the native born citizens of
this State, have in q period of profound
peace, without trial or conviction for any
offence, by &c post fdcto ordinances, been
deprived of the right of suffrage, and reduc-
cd to the condition of aliens upon their ma
tive soil. 1t Is true this obnoxious provs-
ion has been recently abroCated by a decis-
i've expression Of the Popular voice, bu,
the relief thus afforded is attributable ex-
clusively to the altered and improved tenn
per of the Public mind, not to any inner
ent virtue in the Constitution and that
such measure of vengeance should for
four long years have over shadowcd the lib
critics of this State, shows, that we are with
out that Protecting Power, in our organic
law, which it is the great purpose of writ
ten Constitution to guarantee to every citi-
zen of Free Government.
2d In further illustration Of said rropo.
sition, we refer to the imposition Of retro.
spectre political test oath, and through its
fundamentally, to the deprivation of ma
ny native born citizens of tho right to fol-
low tho occupation and business to which
| they had been reared to the denial to them
of the right to sue for the redress of civil
wrongs in the Courts of Justice to the de-
NAL of the right of appeal from arbitrary
and illegal judgments and DEGREES in the
inferior Courts to their disqualification as
Jurors in all cases civil or criminal aud to
their disability to hold any Office of profit,
trust or emolument in this State 1t cannot
be said that these were mere acts Of Legisla-
tive usurpation.-The Supreme Judicial tri-
bunal of this State has declared, that this
whole series of disabling and disqualifying
acts were passed by the Legislature under
powers conferred on it by the present Con
stitution of this State.
81. Regarding the retrospective political
test oath as on instrument of oppression,
dangerous to the rights and liberties of the
| people, and capable in any period of excite
mont of being used for the worst purposes
! of Faction; subtle and cunning invention
I of our recent disoraered times, undreamed
,fn 4 h. ,-,I
/ tons and fiery conflicts Of party which have
marked the histories Of England and France,
we should consider any constitution as sub
] ject to deep reproach, that did not with
the experience Of the last seven years be-
fore US, forever prohibit resort to such an
expedieut, by any Legislative body for any
! purpose whatever.
| RcS0lUed, III. The OMISSION in our Con
/ sttution Of an article forbiddiug the Legis-
ature TO pass any special lar for any case
/ for which provision might be made by
/ general TAR ; and requiring that body to
/ pass general lars for all cases where gen
erol law can be made applicable, has con
yerted our Legislature into q favorite tribu.
nal for the adjudication Of private interests;
unnecessarily protracsing the sessions Of
/ that body causing neglect Of the true OBJ
/ jects for which Legislative bodies arc Great
ed interfering with private rights; and
/ disturbing the peace of entire communities
( by considered, partizan, and cr Parte
/ special enactments.
| Resoiccd, ". With an article inoorpor-
atod into our Constitution limiting tho Leg
/ islaturo to its appropriate functions, bien.
/ NAL sessions Of short duration, would be
adequate to all the purposes Of general Leg
islation, saving for more important State
/ purposes, tho money unnecessarily cxpend
ed by annual elections and annual sessions
/ Resoi0cd, '. The experience Of our State
/ Governments in this country has shown that
one Of tho most valuable safeguards against
basiy and iil considered, not to add partial
and corrupt legislation, is the obligation i'm.
posed by those Constitutions Cbul omitted
ia ours) requiring the Governor 90 afix his
signature 20 every Bill before it becomes
law. The undivided responsibility of The
Executive is an important corrective Of that
divided responsibility which each member
Of a large assembly shares in common with
bis numerous associates. It simply refers
obJectional legislation back 70 tho BODY for
reconsideration, with the public eye intent
y directed 10 tho conflict which has thus
arisen between The Legislative aud Ezecu-
tive departments Of the government.
Rcs0fsc8, vi The frank, open and man
" system Of UiJa O0ce voting which has
been Characteristic Of our people from the
earliest settlement Of Virginia, and which
has ever been regarded as one Of our most
cherished institutions, should DO restored
and the secret ballot under which so mauy