Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-09-18
COMMISSIONERS OF ELECTIONS.
From the Richmond Uhig.

The law ct Virginia requires tue Executive
IN the nonth OF Angus, preceding The Presi.
DENTAL Election. to appoint three commlssi on
ers IN ever, county. 10 superintend the polls.
The FIRE nds OF the ADMINISTRATORS in this city,
conceived 1t JUST ami equitable, that these com.
missioners should be taken equally from both
parties. The object of heir appointment, be-
ing simply 10 have care taken, that the election
should be conducted fairly, lmpsrtially, and &C
cordiIg 10 law, ii was thought that this object
would be mos, certainly attained by a mixed
.oomniss'ou, in which both sides were repre-
sentet, and which would thus exercise u whole
some vigilance over party zeal, and il it should
be necessary, over party injustice and partiality.
If fairness and impariialty were, as they un.
doubleday are. tie sole ends which the Law had
in view. in the appointment of Commissioner rs
ii their functions are purely judicial, il will
not be pretended, that hose ends would not be
best secured by the selection OF commissioner
from both parties. II. on The other hand, some
party advantage is to be anticipated from their
choice, we cannot perceive the right that any
one party has to the monopoly ofthe advantage.
These were the views OF the members Of the
Anti-Jackson Central Committee. In their ofi.
cial capacity, they have declined from conside.
ra,ions of delicacy, 20 represent them 10 the
Executive. But, inoihcialy, their wishes on the
subject were made known 10 the Governor and
Council, a list OF names furnished from which
they were invited to select one half OF the Com
missioners, and the opinion expressed, that this
concession (f it was 3 concessIonJ was due 10
justice and tar play. The concession was ex-
pected with The more confidence, as it was
known a majority Of the Council were opposed
10 the election OF Gen. Jackson.
Contrary TO this reasonable calculation, and
ne ,no .b..,L ayarg reaspnahip mar xsaf admit
contrary to the right and justice of the case, the
Executive proceeded, We are informed, to sp.
point jackson commissioner in every instance,
or with but very few exceptions. The three
jackson members Of the Council, Of course,
thought no gentleman worthy OF trust who had
not bowed to the holiness of their greai Jug.
gernaut, and one or two who were not Jack son
men. thought that 50 the last Legislature was
Jackson, and as Virgins was presumed to be,
that the dominant party was emitted 20 q mono
poly of the commissioners. Strange reasoning,
We confess, TO our poor judgment; but Wa
doubt DOT, honest and contentious.
But, right or wrong. it has thrown the whole
~controul OF the polls, and all the influence which
the commissioners can exercise, INTO the hands
of one party. That the Jackson membtrs Of
Council expect some advantage from it. 10 oh.
yious from their insisting upon haying all Jack
sou COMMISSIONERS And eutn tciukAt " utaAC
the concession required by equity, impaTtiality
and APPEARANCES. That the law never designed
the appointment of commissioners to be Weld.
ed for the party purposes, is plain from the OBJ
iect Of tho law. which is and can be nothing
but 10 provide for the fair and impartial
srily ssing Of the election. Under these cir
:. Nes-thwarted in their reasonable APP
for q portion OF the commissioners 10
ale 81 'bs.on their ranks. it behoves the friends
lat the clraistrstion to be vlgilsnt. and TO de
.gal invsstiyd injustice BY concert and activity.
ow the of the commission.
lDr.adfl Ssssss Executive, and OF course we
from NeW-od intentions-bu IL the Er.
uit. states thar play, they would noe have
ing, as the Steam@nslly from both parties
swing tive vessels upDtA1n sDo rational "ean'
oilers eurst. ana NOS ,r the greater part o
manned. Oesen personsHigh Mightinesses
We missing, and four WOO behalf Of the
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