on the third Tuesday in June. It
embraces 16 articles, divided into 168 sections. It provides for freedom
of religion, equality of political rights, trial by jury, the _habeas
corpus_, freedom of speech and of the press, and no imprisonment for
debt. The right of suffrage is vested in all free white male adult
citizens. All patronage is taken from the General Assembly; judicial and
executive officers are to be elected by the people; and the public
printing to be given to the lowest responsible bidder. No new county can
be formed without the sanction of the majority of voters in all the
counties of which the boundaries would be changed. Provision is made for
the liquidation of the State debt; and no new debt can be created by the
General Assembly except in case of war or insurrection, or to a limited
amount to meet any temporary deficiency; and funds borrowed for these
purposes can be used for no other. No special act of incorporation can
be granted; but a general law, subject to alteration or repeal, may be
passed, under which associations may be formed. The General Assembly is
prohibited from assuming the debt of any county, town, or city; from
loaning the credit of the State to, or becoming a stockholder on any
corporation or association. No divorce can be granted by the
Legislature. An article prohibiting licenses for the sale of
intoxicating liquors is to be separately voted upon. Provision is made
for law reform, and for amendments to the Constitution from time to
time. Every twenty years the question of a Constitutional Convention is
to be submitted to vote. The details of the legislative, executive, and
judicial systems, are not essentially different from those which
generally prevail.

In Virginia a Constitutional Convention is now in session. It is at
present occupied in discussing the question of the basis of
representation. The section of the State east of the Blue Ridge, with
about four-ninths of the free population, pays nearly two-thirds of the
taxes. They desire that one half of the representatives should be
apportioned in the ratio of the voters; and the other half in that of
taxation; which would secure the preponderance to the eastern section.
The west demand that representation shall be in the ratio of the voters,
which would give the political supremacy to their portion of the State.
The debates have been protracted and exciting.

The frontiers of Texas continue to be harassed by marauding parties