Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-03-28

fnlty iii iu.tiCldt ucClSlOnS. Tie salaries
ofthese Judges have been recently raised,
but are believed 10 be stilltoo low, for the
avowed purpose of inducing them 10 dis
charge their judicial duties which had
become extremely bur,hensome, in cc,,se-
Guence af the inatteDtion of The iudges
heretofore, and the great accpmulaiion Of
suits upon the docket.-let it is said Of
that court, that suits OF the greatest con
sequence 10 the parties, as We'll as Ia the
uniformity OF legal adjndicaiions. have
been permitted 10 remain undecided for
years, for the want of the attendance Of a
full court.
The Judges of the General Court are
salary officers yetit is said Of that court
that from the non-atien,lance of lis Judy
-, no General Court has been holden for
the last two terms at lrast.-tn consc-
qmence ot which failure, the slierills, who
are amenable TO that court alone, of d.
bove thirty counties, have altogether fail
eel 10 pay aNV portion of the last years re-
venue into the public treasury ----
- --------------- III these suggestions be
true, il will be found, that the mere cir
cumstamce of making justices salary Off
GERS, will not clear the dockets of the
courts from ali their causes.
In tins review Of the County Court es-
adjustment, it has not been overlooked
that there is one provision for AN ultimate
compensation 10 the justices. 1t consists
III a monopoly given 10 them of the shiv-
e atty vt the respective counties, which
thy take for two years by rotation. But
IT will be observed, that this compensate
on is received in ministerial, and not in
judicial capacity; that when the duties
of sheriff begin, the Judicial duties cease.
Besides, this monopoly adds nothing 10
the burtllens OF society; because, if the
Office were placed III the hands of any o.
ther description of persons, the perqui-
sites would be the same. Tsis is at best
All inadequate and accidental compensa-
ton; and, il is believed, that the public
interest would be promoted. and the con-
dition OF the justices, in relation TO remit
neration, improved. If something more
Early approaching to an adequate com
pensation couldhe given in this mostwisc
and unexceptionable form: by adding to
the responsibility and emoluments of the
shive raitiaS Ofihe several counties. Such
a measure would he recommended 10 a
moderate extent, if iudicious regulate
ons should be adopted, for the purpose of
carry ing ii into effect.
Prem the foregoing considerations, It
must be concluded, that whilst there may
be some checks and blemishes upon the
Virginia Constitution, sufficient TO capti-
vate the attention aud amuse the minds of
superficial observer, vet, that its great
practical benefits, universally admitted.
are the obvious and necessary conse-
quences of the wisdom of its great and es-
sential proviSions-and that, instead of
immolatihg il upon the unhalIowed altar
OF whlm, caprice, or restless discomfort:
the Nirglnian people ought. with one
voice, and with hearts OVERLOOKING with
gratitude, to unite in giving thanks and
alteration 20 9 experimenting Providence,
who hath been graciously pleased, i'm his
infinite goodness and wisdom, TO make
their foretathers the instruments Of hand
ing down to them, so signal blessing.