The Washington times., 1901-07-21
BILL OF RIGHTS PREPARED
The Majority Report Handed to
the Virginia Convention.
A Statement From the Minority EN-
pected in u Few Days-A Remark
able Proposition Regarding Di-
xorca.- srnatcr Daniels Plan.

RICHMOND. Va, July 20-The Consti-
tutional Convention is about ready for the
debates. Chairman Green today submitted
the report of the Committee on Preamble
and Bill of Rights. with the statement
that it was only partial and that
the minority would likely submit a report
He asked that the reDort be laid on the
table and printed for the information of
the members. This was ordered. He gave
notice that he would call up the report for
consideration early next week.
The word Christian remains in the
draft submitted, and the supremacy of the
United States Constitution is affirmed. 1t
is understood that the preamble was the
work of the Hon. John S. Barbour. of
Culpepcr.
CONSTITUTION.
''Whereas pursuant to an act of the
General Assembly of Virginia, approved
March the fifth, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred, the question, snail
there be a convention to revise the con-
stitution and amend the same?' was sub
mitted to the electors of the State of Nir-
ginia, qualified to vote for members of
the General Assembly. at an election held
throughout the State on the fourth Thurs
day OF May, in the year nineteen hun
electors so qualified voting at said cleo
tiop did decide in favor of a convention
for such purpose; and,
Whereas the General Assembly at its
next session did provide by law for the
election of delegates to such convention,
in pursuance whereof the members Of this
convention were elected by the good peo-
pie of Virginia to meet in convention for
such purpose:
I'VE therefore, the delegates of the good
people of Virginia so elected and in con-
vention assembled. do ordain and declare
the future form of government of Vir-
ginia 10 be as followeth:
ARTICLE bill OF RIGHTS.
"a declaration of rights. made by the
representatives of the good people of Nir-
ginia, assembled in full and free conven-
tion, which rights do pertain to them and
their posterity. as the basis and fcunda-
ton of government.
i. That all men are, by nature, free
and independent. and have certain inhe-
rent rights. of which, when they enter
into a state of society. they cannot
by any compact deprive or divest
their pcsterity; namely, the enjoyment
OF life and liberty. with the means of ac-
quiring and possessing property and pur-
suing and obtaining happiness and safety.
- That all power is vested in, and
consequently derived from, the people:
that magistrates are their trustees and
servants and at all times amenable to
them.
81 That government is, or ought to be,
instituted for the common benefit, pro-
lection. and security of the people, nation.
or community; of all the various modes
and forms Of government that is best
which is capable of producing the greatest
degree of happiness and safety, and is
most effectnally secured against the dam
ger of maladministration; and that. when
any government shall be found inadequate
or contrary to these purposes, a majority
of the community hath an indubitable,
inalienabla and indefeasible right to re-
FORM alter or abolish it in such manner
as shall be judged most conducive to the
public veal.
81. That 10 man or set of men are
entitled to exclusive or separate emolu-
ments or privileges from the community.
but in consideration of public services;
which, not being descendfble, neither
ought the office of magistrate, legislator.
or judge to be hereditary.
''5. That the legislative executive and
judicial powers of the State should be
members thereof may he restrained from
oppression, by feeling and participating
the burthess of the people, they should
at fixed periods. be reduced to a private
station. returning into that body from
which they were originally taken, and the
vacancies 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
''6. That all elections ought to be free.
and that all men, having sufficient evi-
dence Of permanent common interests
With and attachment to the community,
have the right of suffrage. and cannot be
taxed nor deprived of. or damaged in.
their property for public uses, without
their own consent, or that OF their repre-
sentatives so elected, nor bound by any
law TO which they have not, in like man
ner, assented, for the public good.
z. That all power of suspenGing 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.
IS. That in all capital or criminal prose- |
cutions, a man hath right to demand /
the cause and nature of his accusation to |
be confronted with the accusers and wit
and TO a speedy trial by an impartial jury |
OF his vicinage, without whose unanimous |
consent ne cannot be found guilty; nor /
shall any person be twice put in Jeopardy |
Tor the same offence; nor can he be com |
PEELED TO give evidence against himself; |
that no man be deprived of his liberty |
except by the law of the land or the
Judgment Of his peers; but upon a plea of
Eulity Dy the accused, or with his con- |
sen; entered Of record. the court NAV hear
and determine any criminal case without
the Intervention OF jury; and the Cen |
eral Assembly may, by law. provide for
the trial, by justices of the peace. without |
jury, OF a man accused of any criminal /
offence not punishable by death or con- !
llnement in the penitentiary. but Ia all |
such cases the General Assembly shall |
preserve the right of the accused to an |
Court.
's That excessive bail ought not to be
nor excessive fines imposed nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted /
10 That general warrants, whereby an |
oHicer or messenger may be commanded
TO search suspected places without eyi-
uence or fact committed, or TO seize any |
person or persons not named or whose /
offence Is not particularly described and !
supported by evidence, are grieyous and
and ought not to be granted.
II. That IN controversies respecting !
and in suits between man and |
man, trial by jury is preferable to any |
other, and ought to be held sacred. hut |
the General Assembly may, by law, pre-
scribe any number less than twelve, but |
not less than seven. to constitute a Jury |
T. That the freedom of the press is one !
OF the great bulwarks of liberty and can |
never be restrained but by despotic Gov
.-T9 4