Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-12-05

The established manner of procuring
iuries is so objectionable particularly in the
thinly peopled part hesitate, las to deserve
your notice. Already il begins 10 be
thought, by numbers, that all civil causes
had better be left TO the decision of the
courts alone. Questions of magnitude rela-
ting TO property are often determined. by
incompetent persons, unworthy loiterers
abont court yards aud taverns. Under
such circums stances more is left open
10 The effects of bias on the mind of the
summoniDg officer, or TO coutrivance in
one or other OF The parties than unim-
peachablejusiice can safely admit. There
| is very high republican authority for the
| opinion, that the persons who compose
| juries, should always be chosen annually
| by the people. Were that idea ever car
| ried into effect, ticket containing the re-
quisite number OF names, as upon all such
occasions, must be recommended 10 the
people, lesl private engagements should
produce the omission 10 prepare one. The
Delegates of The counties might ybe re.
CURED by law, to make out one or two
such tickets, as They could agree. and
transmit them to the different si,eri..-. ak
months before the spring elections. Ae-
quainied, as they must b., with the res.
peciab'e part of ti.v people in person, DOS.
9 ssing the conhdruce OF the COUNTY. by
The most authentic proof possible, and
deriving no separate interest frnn their
temporary promotion, the influence ne.
| cessary on The occasion would flow from
the puresi source. All Tie persons in thin
way selected, would OF course be required
by law. under a considerable penalty, to
attend AT the opening of every court.
| there 10 abide orders iIom The bench. and
be impannelled by lot, as they might be
waited. Surely u is as much the duty
OF HE citizens OF a free state, 10 make n
wiilieg sacrifice for The certain attain
meni OF justice 10 every degree as Tor this
common defence. But even If sucb q
deplorable deficiency of public spirit
Icoud be suspected, the general welfare
requires, in more than tins case, that
compulsory service from. The qualified
Should he preferred 10 The voluntary offers
uf the incompetent. The reduced cir
cumstances of III. people, aud The extern.
siYe distress prevailing az this time, nav
perhaps justify The suggestion OF prompt
aud hsile expansive arbitration, upon
snms uoi exceeding one hundred dollars.
| win twelve months Iepfeyy on the award.
"a remedy, which would operate only
where the tntai want q! remedy is ihe
| most fatal. and alienation most unques-
tionably beneficial and legitimate. Deci.
sions made before Two magistrates by
two friendly referees, selected by The
parties, with an umpire, II mel agreed
| upon by themselves, chosen by The ma
2ls,raics, or taken by lot OUT of foar
names, would come much cheaper, and
give "a much satisfaction as i'm any other
way. A separate tribunal for every cause
must OF course promote dispatch in lii,
gaiion, ami the greater certainly of eyl-
dence arising from prompt Investigation
While occurrences are stui recent, is an
important advantage afforded by arbitra-
ton. Plain Judgments, under such cir
cumsiamees, may as often come as near 10
incontroveriibte opinion, as learning
m;gh' possibly do with the disadvantage
OF long delay aud growing oblivion.
The growing disuse of military exercis-
les among the militia is much 10 be re-
gretted, as II must soon produce awkward
ness III practice, and perhaps in The end.
ignorance ot an arr, without which society
could not be long preserved. Ii might
perhaps afford remedy, 10 require by
law, every oDecommissioncd officer in
each regiment, AMI good proportion of
the privaleS OF every volunteer company
attached In IL, tn ait,nd the regular annu-
| al trainings OF The commissioned officers,
already prescribed, and provided for by
acto of Assembly. To such body Of men
as would be formed by convenient june
lions OF the deiaC hhenis from different
regiments. called out by this regulation,
field evoluiioDs might be taught with
some advantage. A small allotment of
camp equpage, 10 be kept in store, at
| some place convenient 10 several rendez-
vOns, and 10 be transported, under charge
of d quartermaslct, irOm ono assemblage
10 another, would greatly lessen the ex-
pense 10 The men required 10 perform this
duly by enabling them 10 encamp in the
field. instead of lodging in ,averns and
would al the same tune, add some know
ledge OF camp discipline, 10 what they
would otherwise acquire. AS "a complete
staff would be present ateverS meeting,
| some experience III staff duties might also
be acquired; and that Is the true axis ofall
| military movements. The volunteer COM
paDies, ii is 10 be hoped, will moi less IN
the frequency Of their musters but they
have rarely an opportunity, unless IN ci-
ties, TO perform battalion man8uvres.
The regulation suggested, would qualify
all their men, III turn, 10 act as guides 10
manRuvering corps and with iheir aid.
under complete body of well trained
officers, OF every grade, disciplined ar.
my Of militia dTaughts, might be constr
tnied upon an emergency, III very short
time. As the minds OF Ren require time
TO get accustomed 10 any change, hOwes
yer useful and necessary, IL may be worth
an enquiry, whether this period OF gene
raj peace does not afford favorable occa'
sion Tor lengthening tie time OF service
oil militia drsughts, from six months TO
one year. To most OF the men who arc
draughied, am absence from home during
the six months ut summer causes the loss
of the whole year. The time from the LIST
| ~ Il n 81, I.t los. nf