The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-28
The Amendments.

---.e-.-- -------------
The Amendments.
We have received the following note. We
answer it for the benefit OF whom It may |
concern, though we have no acquaintance |
with our correspondent. His note is as fol-
lows:
PETERSBURG, August 25, 1876.
Editors of the Dispatch:
Gentlemen, win oblige several read |
ers OF your paper II youwill explain through
your paper the meaning Of the section to the
new amendments to the Constitution to be
submitted to the people November ed,
which reads as follows:
|tThe Legislature shall have power to pro-
vide for the government OF cities and towns,
and TO establish such courts therein rs may
be necessary for the administration OF JUS
tice."
Docs it mean that they will have power to
appoint mayor and such officers as they
may think proper, without the consent OF
the people!
JAMES MUIRHEAD "a subscriber).
ANSWER.
No. Not exactly. But it does mean that
the limitations imposed by the Constitution
as it now stands, upon the power OF the Lee
gislaturc to provide for the government OF
cities and towns, shall be removed, and that
body left free to provide for their govern
ment rs it shall think proper. In the abb
sence OF constitutional restrictions, the Lee
gislature may do almost anything it Will in
providing for the government OF cities and
towns. The shortest and simplest way for
that body to get hold OF this power again is
by securing the ratification OF the amend
ment above quoted.
When last year Governor KEMPER vetoed
the Petersburg charter-bill, We held that he
did right, because that bill proposed vio-
lation OF the Constitution. All the provi-
sions OF the Constitution which impose
restriction upon the. power Of the Lesisla-
ture in respect to the government OF cities
and towns will be wiped out at once by the
ratification Of the amendment in question;
and that, too, without calling the attention
OF the people to the constitutional proVl
sions which are thus to be rendered OF no
effect.
AS we said last winter, and repeated the
other day, the proposed amendments are not
to be considered rs Conservative measures.
Ii any good Conservative dislikes either the
one we are discussing or any others OF them,
let him vote on the question OF ratification
az he sees fit. The amendments were all
submitted together by a Conservative Legis-
lature in order 1--WE believe that the amend
ments providing for biennial sessions and
for smaller General Assembly might be
defeated by the aid OF the votes which it
was known would be cast against some OF
the others OF the proposed amendments.
Mr.. WEIGH said the other day in speech
at the Exchange Hotel that the Legislature
remained in Richmond too long every year
because the members received six dollars a
day, and he expressed the opinion that il
the members OF the Congressional Conrcn-
ton. ito which he was speaking, ne being
delegate, had before them the prospect OF
receiving per diem Of equal amount, Gov
crnor WALKER would not be nominated
that day. II Mr.. WEIGHS "rural ROSTERS"
can thus be tempted to vote for the extern
sion Of the sessions OF the Legislature for
the sake OF the small sum of six dollars
day, they ought to exercise little charity
towards the people Of Richmond if any OF
them should be SO ayaricious as to vote
against an amendment which would, if rati-
fed, cause several hundred thousand dollars
to be subtracted biennially from the cash laid
out in this city, and which would also de-
prive the entire State OF all opportunity to
secure such legislation as might during the
of.years be greatly needed for any county,
and such as will almost certainly be needed
by all the prosperous towns, cities, and
counties.
One result of the ratification OF all the
amendments will be the REIMBURSEMENT OF
all persons who have fought duels apd been
DISTINGUISHED therefor since the existing
Constitution was ratified. II the amend
ment to Art. III be ratified, they will ipSo
facto be relieved OF their disabilities. No
action will be needed on the part Of the
Legislature. Another of the amendments
will give the Legislature power by Il two
thirds vote to cnfranchise all persons who
may engage in duels after the ratification Of
these amendments.
There is much to be said concerning these
several amendments. But when we began
this article we had no intention to say SO