Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-19
VIRGINIA LEGrsLATUaE
HOUSE or DELEGATES.
CIRCUIT COURT BILL.
Speech Of Mr.. Hunter of Bc,,SrLs,J
Mr. Hunter addressed tho House as folIn,r

rise with reluctance at this late period Of =
prouacted debate. But 1 feel myself imperi.
ously called, so far as can, to repel the CHARGE.
which have been SO profusey lavshed on the
friends OF this BILL They have been called radi.
Gals, innovators and under certain modif;rat;ous
Tools. III by the term radical, be meant one who
WISHES to 20 TO the root of the evil and pluck IL
up II tins term means here what the aristocra-
cy OF England consider it.as meaning friends oi
the people,, OF liberty and of reform-then glory
IN ,he name, and anu sure that 10 friend Of this
oil VIII blush to wear the appelIaGon. But we
are lnnoyatoFs SIR, Qo compare small things with
Sreat) were the glorious founders ofthis nigh
~ republic-and no doubt had the same crv ot
innovation raised against them in their dav
or, me SCIENCE OF government is a progressive
one--a science founded on eXperience--and oes,,.
Ieuly IL IS not the Oldest governments which are
The best. Other gentlemen NAV bow 10 prev-
hairs, decrepitude and wrinkles | choose 10 nav
my alterations. TO blushns checks flowing tresscs
and beauty" cannot love for antiquities sake
such poor virtuoso am l." We have all the
lights which the trainers of our government ami
Oh eur Judiciary possessed, with the advantage of so
years experience. They framed the machine and
put II in motion-we have seen its operations aud
know its advantages and its defects.
1t has been said by my friend from Amherst.
whose goodness love, and whose intelligence /
admire, that in this matter of reform fools rush
In where angels fear TO tread The first apDeIIa
ton is readily appropriate; but to whom 60 assign
the latter, confess myself at loss. Sure | am
that the gentleman good taste and modesty would
prevent him from applying it TO himself and those
who act with him. [ know not TO whom 70 oi,e
them, unless we bestow il upon the Judges
respect the Judiciary have many and dear
friends on the bench. And farther admit that the
Judges are " most potent, grave and reverend Sc
nlorS, our very loved, and much approved pood
masters" But, sir, think they would make but
very queer sort of angels-they would be non
descripts, certainly, not ninisterin angels TO the
peoples enthusiastically not Sc sweet little che
rubs who SIT up aloft 10 keep watch for the peo-
pies interests. Yet blame them MOTT is not
the individuals who should be censured, but the
system which should be condemned
contend then, that this law is constitutional
and eXpedient.
The ilIustrious and immortal JefIerson as he has
been justly styled by the gentleman from Bruins
wick, (Mr. Gholson,) thought, and strenuously
contended, that this so much Wanted Constitution
was no more than act of ordinary ieqislation.
1t IS not tor met compose such mighty disputes.
Bat this will say, that it has been treated with
very Illile ceremony by many Of our legislators
when II stood in the way of what was deemed the
iDterestot the people. IL has, according TO nv o.
pinon, been violated i'll of the most essential
parts OF constitution-that which declares the
qualifications of voters. Thus the act of 1877
fixed at 100 acres wild lands or 30 improved; the
act OF 1863 fixed 1t as now stands, but never re-
ceiyed the sanction Of the Crown, and conseouent-
iy never was the law Of the land; and the ordi-
nary Legislation in 1885 found i necessary to pass
Il law ueclaTlD6 tnc QuaiiuCatiOnS oil voters TO be
as we now consider them; whereas il the ConsG-
tuition was strictly construed, the qualifications
would be as fixed in 1917
Again, If the construction Of the gentlemen be
correct, viz that you cannot cOnstituiionay unite
the two jurisdictions in the same person. How
comes II, that in 1882, when the ink upon this in
stTuiOent was scarcely dry, the Legislature as
sulned the pdwer Of establishing Court for the
counties of Lincoln, Fayette, SC in Kentucky.
lat that time a portion Of our territory uniting
A. homo .r.I. L..
not abolish the Chancery Courts how was IL that
Ia 1889, the Legislature blotted from existence
the Admiralty Court, and not only So but in so
many words declared that from and after a GER
tain period, the pay of the Judges should cease
and determine Sir Il their construction he cor
rect, every change IN the amount Of jurisdiction ly
which you increase labor without increasing com
pensaion is violation Of the Constitution And
yet, who ever doubted that we could 81 we pleas
ed declare that $50 or any esst rsum, should give
jurisdiction IN oor Superior Courts Of law! Every
act increasing the judges pay, Is a violation OF
the Consiution--for, if because Of tie word fired
the salaries Of The Judges cannot be lowered, nci-
Their can they be raised; for it l. as much unfdug
them to elevate as 90 depfess Dut, u may be
said, that tie word adequate gives this power 10
Taise-so also viii 1t give the power 70 loger--for,
u the circulating medium sometimes fall in value,
il also sometimes rises. But enough of this boast
Ell Constitution, which by various legislative en-
aetments has become complete political cullen
der, broken cistern which will hold no water.
IL may be said admit these violations does il there
fore follow that yse should violate il again? lam,
s1er no--but that The almost coi2rnp0faneous cx-
position ia the act Of 1882 the repeoted copst,uc-
lions since b. Legislatures AZ least as wise as our
selves, furnish strong persuasive Argument i'm
favor OF the construction, which they have riven
nni against that which - now here c9ntenicd for
Thank God, Sir, the 6csiinies q This people 90
AAs5civ rec, n NE tnviolabl'g n s1eh nsiru-