The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-01
Aut authoritative Statement of the
Amendments Proposed to the Con-
StitUtion.

Stitufl0N.
The following statement shows that oul
telegram of yesterday was not exactly cor
rect:
To the Editors Of the Richmond Dispatch:
As the public will probably be informed
in some manner, Of the results Of the delibe'
rationa and work of the subcommittee on
Constil utionai Amendments. which has re.
Gently held session at the Orkney Springs
il my be desirable that such information
should lie correctly and authenticity pro.
nlulgatcd.
The sub committee has not yet finished its
laborS, but has concluded to recommend
many amendments, which are, in their judy
mcut, necessary to relieve the people of the
Common wealth from the burtheus under
which they have been laboriDg for four years,
AMI to economize the administration of the
Government. The subcommittee consists
Of the following gentlemen Judge II. W.
Thomas and Major T. j. Kirkpatrick, on the
part of the Senate; James II. Doolcy. Hon.
A. Ii. II. Stuart. General w. b. Taliaterro,
General G. G. Wharton, and Major 5. Il.
Boykin, on the part Of the House, all of
whom were present except General Whar-
ton, who was detained by important private
and public business.
Amongst the most important amendments
recommended are the adoption:
FIRST: Of the Bill of Rights commonly
Bill of Rights" and its restoration to its
former place and relation to tue Constitution.
Second: An amendment to the third arti.
Gle, concerning the right Of suffrage, requir-
ing the prepay ment OF the capitation lax i'm.
Al, A.,A1 =
privilege of voting. This tax is to be de-
voted exclusively to the support of the pub
lie school system, and is not TO exceed two
dollars upon each adult male citizen Of the
Commonwealth.
Third: An amendment to the same article
restoring the Uiva Uoce or opsn system of
voting.
Fourth: An amendment to the fourth ar
ticle, concerning the Executive, authorizing
the Governor 10 veto any portion of an ap-
preparation bill without invalidating the
whole bill.
Fifth: Several amendments to the fifth
article, concerning the legislative depart
ment: reducing the numbers of the House
of Delegates to one hundred members, and
the Senate to not less than thirty-thrce nor
more than forty bers-the reduction to
take place from and after the month of No.
vember, 1879; substituting biennial for an
nual sessions; requiring the ayes and noes
to be called on the passage Of every bill, and
majority of all the members to secure its
final passage; and authorizing the Legisla-
turc to provide for the government of cities
and towns, as was the case in all the Consti-
tutions of this State, under which the peo-
pie were governed, anterior to that Of 1869.
The cumbrous machinery provided by the
latter Constitution for their government is
stricken out.
Saith: Several amendments to article 9Th
concerning the judiciary department., abol.
ishing the present system of county courts,
and providing sufficient number of circuit
courts to transact all the business of the
counties. These courts are to be always open
as courts Of probate and for the hearing o.
such motions and matters as are usually heard
at the monthly terms OF the county courts.
District courts of appeals are to be formed
by the circuit judges in their several dis
tricts, aud will sit at least once year in eact
district. Thus there will be but one court
of general original jurisdiction, afording th'
people, at diminished expense, all the facili
ties of county court, yet preserving TIT
tdignity and learning of the circuit courts a!
now existing.
The county and township organization ha
been passed by until the people shall haY
passed upon the amendments to be submitted
this fall.
SeoenM: An amendment to the Sth arti
Gle, concerning education, striking out tn
clause requiring the Legislature to levy ia.
of not less than one mill for the support o
the public schools; leaving it to their dscre
ton to levy so much, if any, as may be neces
sary to supplement the revenues from tn
capitation tax and the Literary Fund.
1t is proposed to arrange these and othe
amendments, which will be recommended
under appropriate heads, placing togethe
those which are mutually dependent TO
their efficacy, and to submit them unde
their respective headings, to vote of tn
people, so that the rejection of some will no
necessarily compel the rejection of all, a
would be the case If all were embraced unde
one head, or as an amended constitution.
JAMES q. DooLEY,
Chairman OF the House Committee.
rive return thanks to Mr.. Dooley for hi
letter.
Rejkiavik is pronounced Rack.e.uick o.
Northumberland HdIStead's letters from