The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-22
VIRGINIA CONVENTION OF lS50'5l
WROUGHT REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES
The Declaration of Rights" Was Amended for the
First Time Since its Adoption-White Man
hood Suffrage and Public Free Schools
Provided for.

, The Legislature met once IN Two years.
but no session should continue longer than
ninety duys without the concurrence OF
three-titths of the members of each
house, nor for an additional period longer
than thirty days with such concurrence.
"a capitat.on tax. equal TO the tax as
sessed on land of the value Of two hum
dred dollars" was levied on each white
male tnhnbitant of mature age. and one
equal moiety' of such tax upon white
persons was applied to the purposes Of
education in primary and free schools
Little development of the free school sys-
TEN as now understood was obtained under
this provision.
Provision was first made by this conven-
ton for a Treasurer and an Auditor of
Public Accounts. and for a Board Of Pub
lie Works.
The State was divided into judicial cir
cults districts and sections and all the
judges were elected by the popular vote,
instead of by the Legislature as under
former Constitutions Also the election Of
magistrates was committed to the people
four for each masisterial district. These
chose a presiding justice from their own
body, rvho. with not less than two asso-
ciates. constituted the County Court.
1t will be seen from the changes noted
that the whole trend of the time was to-
ward the people: trust the people in
everything and in all things.
Following and charging the precedent
set by the Convention of 1890. the Con-
stitution was submitted to the people for
ratification or rejection; and the officers
conducting the election were required to
receive and record the votes of eli per
sons qualified to vote under The existing
or amended Constitution" AS matter OF
course everybody voted for a Constitution
that enfranchised him, and it was ratified
by a large majority.
Doubtless. in these days. the aid of the
courts would be invoked to enjoin such
schedule.
WORKED WELL.
Revolutionary as were the changes
Wrought by it, the Constitution seems to
have worked WELL and to have given gen
eral satisfaction. Peace and prosperity
and banpiness were the rule In Virginia,
As among her awn people, from the lime
of its adoption until the rude shock to our
serenity-the John Brown Raid OF iso9-
occurred.
There was a money furry in 1851, but the
decade from 1850 to 1860 may be called,
without exaggerating, happy era In the
States career: '.haltyon days in very
sooth and such as we may never nope OF
expect to see again.
The change was rude, harsh. bloody. but
it came from without, and While all was
serene in our own borders. and among our
own people, and the State was in the hey
day of it's life and fame.
AfterwardS-the deluSe!
1t seems very certain that, but for the
clash with the Federal government, pre-
c.itated by the secession of the States
to the South of uc, and Mr.. Lincoln's coll
for troops to enforce the nations au-
thority, Virginia would have continued to
enjoy a career of prosperity for many
years under the Constitution framed by
this convention. But the question whether
the State should remain in the Union. or
reassert her sovereignty as she had re-
served the right to do by the express terms
of her ratification of the Federal Constitu-
ton. could only be determined by the peo-
pie in convention assembled
The convention was duly called, met, de-
liberated and, with great reluctance, passed
an ordinance of secession, and also framed
a new Constitution.
This convention. and the Wheeling and
Alexandria conventions. so-called. will be
the subject of the next paper. w w. S.