Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-03

cut, we have as little republicanism here !
as in Turkey. The people are amused !
with frequent elections, but they are so !
managed as 10 be Of no service to them.
The Governor and council actually possess !
the whole power of the state, they have
all the erecutiOe, Legislative, and judicial
towers or rhe state, and hov hogver TO con-
trot The elections; they are bound by no
constitutional limits but heir own arbitra-
ny will
81 VIII give you brief statement Of
these four branches of power, each one in
their order.
lst. BY the charter Of King Charles
III. to the colony (lor we have no consti.
,uton) the erecuiUe power of The state
rs lodged with the Governor and Council
Ii has always been exercised by them.
"2d. rhe Governor and Council are
one branch Of The legislature, called the
upper house, and the governor has no
power but as president oil that body. The
house oil representatives amount to about
1855 majority of which are Judges and
justices of the peace, dependent on The
upper house Tor their annual appoin tment
to the offices which they hold, or to which
hey may hope 10 be prom Ted they are
uniio, mly appointed to Office everyyear,
provided they ar faithful TO their masters
al he elections, aud will vote for every
bill proposed Nv the upper house, so that
the tenure of their Office depends on their
being tools and sycophants, tor as soon as
they refuse to vote in the house of repre-
sentatives, or at elections, according 10
| orders from the upper house, thy are dis
MISE from Office, traduCSd Az, abused.
In addition to all these Judges and justices
| IN the house OF represent atives, are ee-
! nerais, colonies, majors, captains, and
host OF military officers who know fun well
The way 10 promotion, and that the least
disobedience of orders would blast all their
hopes. here are also sherSs, sherlffs'
! deputies, clerks of courts, and variou, o.
her classes of men, making in the whole
| at least three foMths of the house Of re-
representatives., directly or indirectly de.
pendent on the upper house, so that the
upper house make and repeal what laws
they please, and the other house are of no
use but To give false impression to the
people; a majority of the house OF re-
presentativcs are as servlie TO the upper
house as slave to his master.
Sd. The Governor and Council BY an
act OF the legislature, are made the ST.
IRENE Court Of Errors, and this court is
the dernier resor, by way of law or equi-
| ~. And while they have power 10 re-
verse every Judgment of the courts be-
low they can remove every Judge and Jus
tIce wI'hou' assigning any cause.
| IN. II ne power of the upper house
vii not apply with equal force 10 control-
ing the elections of state representatives.,
YET they have great Influence, and besides
1t has been shewn thai they could control
majority of the members when elected
which answers their purpose equally well.
hey can and do control heir own eleGt-
ons' that of Senator'S and members of
Congress. They have engaged in their
service Judges OF superior courts, 40
judges OF county courts, % judges pro-
bate, and FIVE hundred and ten Justices OF
the peace, sheriffs, about 10 deputy She
riffs, several hundred military officers be-
tween two and three hundred cIereymen,
with all the proprietors and petitioners of
and tor banks, turnpike roads, Insurance
companies, and monied corporations
these chosen meu are placed in every
town and section ofthe state, with as much
care and reference to their local situation,
zeal and ability to secure the election, as
good general would station his guards
and sentries arouHd camp in the nipht
season, expecting the approach OF an enc.
my. What adds greatly 10 their pc yer
and success is, that members of the coui-
Gil and congress are FIRST voted into nomi-
nation, say 8 or 90 at a time, not by
districts, but by general ticket: the up
per house make out the list, including
themselves and friends, send copies To
/ all their faithful servants, and the people
have little or no knowledge of the cand-
dates; so that the Judges, justices, She
riffs and deputies, clerks of courts, gene
rails, colonies, majors, subaIterns, clergy,
&C. &c. inform thepenple when ass mbled,
tina; the federal candidates are the most pi-
Gus and enlightened IN this or any other
state, that their oPposers are infidels, enc
mics to order and good government, to
religion, TO God and to every thing good,
and in this way gain the election. Hence
IL is that not member Of the upper house
Excepting one by accident and he a. re-
/ annptpfad the pevf vaarN hoe C,;T.I oC -