Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-05-30

1888 va t'NAtAtN, ttS iit~ASSaS VA biS
community become involved. Our state
of society has already acquired such a. de
gree of maturity, that agriculture, com
merce, ami the mechanic arts, have be-
come mutual supports and dependencies,
which must flourish or decay together
Each of these interests are equally affect
ed by those laws, by which contracts are
formed and adjusted, and 10 all, an ex-
act adherence to justice, as the oulv basis
ola firm credit, are equally essential
Owing to the subdivision Of real proper
ty, the farmers, hitherto the most inGe-
pendent class of citizens, cannot pur-
sue their business to advantage, without
a pecuniary capital, or an occasional re-
sort TO credit. Some estates are best "a
dapted TO tillage others for pasture /: and
in third, winter forage is most abundant.
Hence arises the necessity for mutual
credits, or the use Of capital, which may
be fairly purchased, but which will retire $
from the influence of legal coercion.
The mechanic arts have sometimes
been represented as unfayourable to put
lie morals. lfinstances can be adduced
where artisans have become a degraded
class of men, the causes OF their depres-
sion are to be discovered in political re-
gulaiions, which have restrained their il
berty and reduced them 30 poverty. The
nature of their employment maniiesily
tends TO different result. 1t is III The
workshop, that habits of order and At
|. tention TO the effects Of intelligent design.
are necessarily cultivated, and that iidei-
ity, economy, and mutual cooperation,
are discovered to be duties ofindispensa-
bic obligation.
The freedom with which / have thot
Tiny duty TO disclose NV sentiment res
pecting the operation of the existing Svs
TEN of taxation upon the interests of a
great proportion of our constituents
mi GIT, ifmy motives were unex lained
expose me to the effects of impressions,
which self-respect requires me TO obvi-
ate. IL is now more than twenty wears,
since presented a report 10 the house
of representatives of the United Stats,
III which the exhausting effects of une-
quail systems OF taxation, in several OF the
states, especially in New England, were
distinctly described. The opinions then
expressed were not dissmilar from those
now submitted TO Your consideration -
As The principles of that report were ap-
proved by Congress, and as the benefits
ofthe consequent system, in cqualizing
public contributions, have since been
demonstrated by experience. l consider
that may fairly claim 10 be exempted
from any suspicion Of motives arising
from my present situation, If earnestly
recommend Il rule of taxation, which has
received the sanction of the United
States, to which | would add few OBJ
Iects of assessment connected with our
local circumstances, as being best adap-
ted TO promote the Interests of the pub
lie
There are. believe, no principles in
which The friends of civil liberty have
more generally concurred, and in respect
L. 4. al
emphaticaIly pronounced, than that iudg-
es of the supreme judicial courts should
hold their offices, during good behavior.
with salaries adequate to their indepen-
dent support. and that thew should never
be permitted to exercise tue function Of
legislators.
The experience of every age las de-
monstraied, that no science can be i'm
proved and perfected, unless It's interests
are confined to the protection Ola particu-
lar profession. The science OF law, as IL
comprehends knowledge of the lInman
character, AID the rights and dnties OF
individuals in every situation and under
every modification of society, ought 10
be cherished with peculiar attention.
Though 10 controversies have ever exist
ed respecting the general principles of
moral and social obligation, vet the regu-
lations of every free and civilized state,
must be numerous, complicated and arti-
fetal, and the knowledge and proper APP
plication Of them, must require faculties
of the mind which are rarely combined.
Whenever the laws have become huctu-
atinS and arbitrary, they cease 10 he rules
proper for the direction Of free citizens
| and whenever their eXposltIons are inilu-
| enced in their decisions by the veering
| gales OF party politicks. fbe lives, liber-
ties and property of the people are rem
dered insecure. Moreover, history in
forms us, that disorders in tie admins
| tratIon of justice, are, ofaIi political eS lis,
| the least susceptible Of redress.
Prior to the close OF the revolutionary
war. the judges of the superior court
were generally, il not invariably, desig-
| mated from among the members of The
council. In NaS 1884, law was enact
| ed by which the Office Of a Judge Of the
| superior court was declared TO lie incom-
patible with seat i'll the Legislature or i'm
congress. 1t was however at the same
! time provided. that the jndgcs shouli
therefore hold their offices, during The
| pleasure of the general ass mhIy. The
separation of the judicial and legislative
| functions has remained complete, vet as
the commissions of The Judges have been
limited TO single year, the security, and
perhaps dignity of their stations have
been somewhat impaired.
1t is conceded that the legislature of
this state has hitherto recognised tire
principles which appear as Fundamental
articles in most Of tbe American constifu-
tiOns, by admitting in practice, that The
Judges are in equity. entitled TO reap