Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-05-07
Gonoemttom.
CORRESPONDENTS.
~. Pendlelon,a Lenar.

MartnSDuIg NEaZette OF yesterday. the f;
invitation addressed by you to myself, !
among others, 1'to declare explicitly, |
through the medium of the public pa
pers, my sentiments on the subject of
reform, especially upon the following
points
list With respect to the Judiciary;
I'D In regard to the equalization of
Representation;
81. Ast to the extension of the right of
suffrage;
4th. The appointment Of tho execu-
tive and ministerial officers"
While my respect Tor you will not
permit me 10 decline a compliance with
this request, owe IT TO myself TO guard
against an Inference which might be
drawn from the request itself, as well as
from its manner. do not seek or de
sire TO be one Of those who may be de-
legated from this district 10 the ConveD-
ton oe October next; and make this
remark, with foil assurance that
should receive, as it ought % be receiv
ed. this or any other manifestation Of
public confidence. | have been pre-
scented to your notice on this occasion
without any agency ar priyity on my
part, and suffer myself to remain so,
solely under a sense of that duty which,
/ am advised and believe, attaches to
every citizen. Having promised thus
much, proceed to answer your enqui
ries.-
Il have long considered the vices Of
I The existing constitution of Virginia, so
great as to render it intolerabIe TO
large, and perhaps the larger. part of
the State These vices in my view, ex.
ist chiefly
In the inequality of representation in
the General Assembly-growipg out
Of equal county representation
in the unwieldiness and absorbing pow
er Of the House of Delegates--and
In cumbrous, dependant and almost
irresponsible executive department.
Ny Sentiments upon the subiect of
reform. - therefore, look principally to-
Equalzing presentation, by placing
itupon the basis of free white popu-
Iation
Reducing the number of members in the
most numerous branch of the legisla.
tive body
Lessenng The dependence of the other
parts Of the government upon land
The establishment OF a single, respon
sible, executive department elective
by the people.
Upon the details OF this reform, have
settled down upon no opinions, and as
"the appointment of ministerial Off
oers' properly belongs 10 these details,
that must be ny answer upon this point
OF your enquiry.
In my judgment II is ezPedient. TN
der existing circumstances. to extend
The right OF suffrage to classes. of the
community not embraced by the pre-
sent freehold Limitation. How far this
extension should be carried, I am not
prepared to decide. on prepared TO
decide against what is usually called
universal suffrage, as. in my opinion,
false in theory, anti-republiean end ed.
verse 10 the best interests of society.
With respect to the judiciary depart
ment, my opinions, except in few par
ficulars, are altogether immature. The
present system appears to me TO be ma.
terially defective; but | am spared the
necessity of forming any opinions with
respect TO its amendment, in the full
conviction that it ought To be, for the
most part. q subject of oil binary iegisla-
tive arrangement, and not OF constitu-
tional provision. There should be, 40
cording to my present impressions, but
one constitutional court, and that is-a
supreme courtiof error and appesl-fix-
ed in the number of its judges. and the
extent of its jurisdiction. For the APP
poiatmens of Judges. ar aware of no
safer or better mode than to vest il in
Governor, with the advice and consent
OF Senate.
Connected with this subject, there is
one principle epon which my opinions
are thoroughly settled. / allude to the
tenure of a judges Office.
hbhorriAg tyranny ia all its forms
whether OF man over man in private
life, or the few over the many, or the
many over the few ia the State, am
satisfied that there 10 no adequate se-
curity against it, but in judiciary inde
pendance. would desire, therefore,
20 see this department. OF the govern
ment, raised above the influence Of the
h0pos and fears that might be brought
90 bear upon it, by triumphant factions
or by powerful combinations enabled,
ss far as human infrnnity can be ena.