Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-26
VIRGINIA BILL OF RIGHTS
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION COM.
PLETEs IT'S CONSIDER ALTON.
The Instrument Deals Generally With
Relations of the Individual
to the State.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va. October %, 1901.
The constitutional convention has COM
pleted the consideration of the bill of rights.
the first report to be submitted to the con-
vention by any of the committees. The
bill of rights differs materially from the old
BILL and is as follows
Article L.
/. That all men are by nature equally
free and Independent and have certain in
herent rights, of which, when they enter
into state of society, they cannot by any
compact deprive or divest their posterity,
namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring and possessing
property and pursuing and obtaining happi-
ness and safety.
2. That all power is vested in, and con-
sequently derived from, the people, that
magistrates are their trustees and servants
and at all times amenable to them.
3. That government is, or ought to be, in
stituted for the common benefit, protection
and security of the people, nation or COM
munity; of all the various forms of gov
eminent that is best which is capable of
producing the greatest degree of happiness
and safety, and is most effectually secured
against the danger of maladministration
and that, when any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these pur-
an indubitable, inalienable and indefeasible
right to reform, alter or abolish it in such
manner as shall be judged most conducive
to the public veal
4. That no men, or set of men, are enti-
tied to exclusive or separate emoluments
or privileges from the community but in
consideration of public services, which not
being descendible neither ought the offices
OF magistrate, legislator or judge to be
hereditary.
3. That the legislative executive and Judi
cial departments of the state should be
separate and distinct; and that the mem
pers thereof may be restrained from op
preSSlon, by FEELING and participating in
the burthens of the people. they should
at fixed periods, be reduced to a private
station, return into that body from which
they We're originally taken, and the va
cancies be supplied by regular elections,
in which all or any part of the former
members shall be again eligible. or in
eligible, as the laws may direct
u. That all elections ought to be free,
and that all men having sufficient evidence
of permanent common interests with and
attachment to the community have the
right of suffrage, and cannot be taxed or
deprived of or damaged in their property
for public uses without their own consent,
or that of their representatives elected,
nor bound by any law to which they have
not In like manner assented for the pub
lie good.
Z. That all power of suspending laws or
the execution of laws by any authority
without consent of representatives of the
people is injurious to their rights, and
ought not to be exercised.
8. That in all capital or criminal prosecu-
tions a man hath right to demand the
cause and nature of his accusation, to be
confronted with the accusers and witnesses,
to call for evidence in his favor and to a
speedy trial by an impartial jury of his
vicinage, without whose unanimous con-
sent he cannot be found guilty; nor can
he be compelled to give evidence against
himself; that no man be deprived of his
life or liberty except by the law of the
land or the judgment of his peers; nor
shall any man be twice put in jeopardy
for the same offense, except that an appeal
may be allowed to the commonwealth in
all cases for the violation of a law re-
lating to the state revenue.
In any criminal case, upon a plea of
guilty, rendered in person by the accused,
and with the consent of the attorney for
the commonwealth, the court shall-and in
a prosecution for an offense not punishable
by death or confinement in the penitentiary,
upon plea of not guilty, with the consent
of the accused rendered in person and the
attorney for the commonwealth entered Of
record-the court in its discretion, may
hear and determine the case without the
Intervention of jury.
The general assembly may by law pro-
vide for the trial Of offenses not punishable
by death or confinement in the penitentjary
by justice of the peace without a jury;
but In all such cases the right OF the &C.
cused to an appeal and trial by jury in the
appellate court shall be preserved. And the
general assembly may also provide by law
for juries consisting Of less than twelve
but not less than five men. for the trial of
offenses not punishable by death or con-
finement in the penitentiary, and may cias-
sify such cases and prescribe the number OF
jurors for each class of cases.
8 That excessive bail ought not to be
required, nor excessive fines imposed nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an
officer or messenger may be commanded to
search suspected places without evidence of
a fact committed, or to seize any person or
persons not named, or whose offense is not
particularly described and supported by
evidence, are grievous and oppressive. ard
ought not to be granted.
n. No person shall be deprived Of his
property without due process Of law. In
controversies respecting property, and in
suits between man and man, trial by
to be held sacred; but the general assem-