Louthan v. Commonwealth

Citations

• 79 Va. 196
• 1884 Va. LEXIS 75

Syllabus

<p>1. Public Privileges and Freedom of Speech.—-Constitution of Virginia, Art. I, sections 14 and 20, and Art. V, section 14, wherein it is said : “ Any citizen may speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty,” and, “ All citizens of the state are hereby declared to possess equal civil and political rights and public privilegesand, “ The general assembly shall not pass any law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press applies to and protects the rights of all citizens of the commonwealth, whether occupying a private or an official station.</p> <p>2. Constitutional Law.—The act of the legislature approved 18th March, 1884 (Acts 1883-4, p. 698), entitled “ An act to prohibit the active participation in politics of certain officers of thesstate government,” is inconsistent with the constitution of Virginia, and is therefore null and void.</p> <p>3. Ex parte Curtis, 106 U. S. Reports, 371, reviewed.</p>