Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-06-01
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To IL Gents .Singie.l

rOr OIL tie ncdt, anu NO. vi '"S hS"'H Hdt
III is erroneous would seem to appear from
the dangerous assertions OF power made
by the Judiciary, which, if carried into
full Practice, could not fail to PROSTATE all
the other departments, of governments;
from its anomalous nature to every o:her
political institution established among us /;
and from its natural tendency to lead tn
innumerab,e abuses. Still, though We
may admit these remarks To be accurate,
and agree that this organisation of the ju-
dic'ary requires radical alteration, when we
come TO details, how various shall we find
The provisions, either in existence, or as
Isuggested by ,heore,ics! writer's. In some
Of the states, the election of the Judges is
annual, in others they are chosen for =
number Of years, In some states they
are chosen directly by the people; in o.
! theirs by the chief magistrate, and in o.
! theirs by the Legislative bodies. In some
states their compensations are not liable
TO dminution in others they may be va
ried at legislative discretion. IL we con-
suit the theories of political writer's. we
shall perceive still wider difference Of
sentiment.
What can we infer from all lhese facts,
but that the organization OF the several
political departments admits of varieties
so endless, and is work so delicate and
difficult, as naiuralls, If not necessarily,
to create great diversity Of opinion in
minds equally enlightened and virtuousf
II will be seen that This diversity has ex-
listed from the earliest periods of our ma
tional existence until the present day
mar can II be expected TO cease until a
long lapse of years shal. have solved many
political problems by more extensive ex-
perience than the American people have
yet had.
In the mean time what monition do
these considerations more emphatically
dictate than an amicab!e federation Of O..
pinions. however varions? If my object
is reform: IL it is my sincere conviction
that change is required in the consti,u.
ton under which l live, I have a right, It
| is my duty to open my mind 10 the freest
enquiry. and 10 enligh,en, as far as is in
my power, the minds OF my fellow Gill.
zsns; TO expose what deem error, how
ever venerable from time or the weight
of authority. But let me not forge that
the right claim is common to Others;
and that they who hold different opinions
| from me may demand the exercise OF it
with the same justice that do. Let il
also ever be remembered that mere dif-
ference OF opinion, so far from being an
evidence of hostiliiy,i is often the strongest
| criterion Of friendship, and that the inte-
ests and attachments of individuals NAV
be The most indissolube and sincere, al.
though their opinions on speculative points
widely differ.
With regard TO the mode OF removing
officers, though there does not exist so
wide, there still exists considerable diff.
ference Under most Of the state consti-
tutions, as we'll as under the federal con-
stitution. the chief magistrates and men,
bers of the Legislature hold their appoint-
ments for limited terms, during which
they are not removable by those who ap.
pointed them, They can only be dismiss
sed from Office by an expulsion from The
body OF which they are members, and in
some instances by impeachment. The
greatest existing diversity on this point
appears in the different judiciary proyisi-
ons in force in the respective states.
The Judges are removable in
New, Observation-Disclosures.
MISUNDERSTANDING. or address 10
Governor of two Houses.
Connecticut--No. const, provision.
Rhode. Island do.
( New-York-- BY impeachment.
New Jersey do.
! Pennsylvania BY Impeachment, or
address to governor OF two thirds
OF both Houses.
Delaware do.
Maryland For misbehaviour, or
conviction in court Of law.
Virginia BY impeachment.
~. Carolina--- do.
| S. Carolina do.
georgia do. or by address to
governor of two thirds of both houses,
vermont BY impeachment.
ennessSe-- do.
Kentucky do. mr. hv e,oys--o, -,
address OF both Houses.
ITO Be eoaGmed.1