Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-24
am, dear Sir, very respectfully,
Your most ob't scrv't.
ROBERT STANARD.
To GARRIr NJ. QuARLEs, Esq.
To the Editors of the Euou,rer.

ROBERT STANAED.
To GARRIr NJ. QUARLEs, ESQ.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer.
GENTLEMEN: Publications have appeared in
your paper over the signatures Of" MANY Free.
holders OF Hanover. and A resident freehoider
OF the District" calling upon the gentlemen no.
minated to represent the counties of Caroline Es.
sex, King William, King & Queen, and Hanover
In Convention. for answers 10 sundry interrogato-
RES; Perceiving my name among those called on.
neither seeking nor stunning the office, nor in
tending to relinqush the benefit Of any new lights
that may be opened 10 me, think il right To
respond to the call briefly and candidly.
voted against Convention because I beiiev.
ed, that the present government tho defective in
some points, secured the people of Virginia in
the enjoyment Of all rights essential TO human han.
piness, & because apprehended much animosiiv
and sectional strife, and some hazard, in the at
tempt to make that better in theory, which was
already gooy4in practice. But majority of IN.
Freeholders Of the State, having determined to trv
the experiment, will cheerfuy unite with them
in correcting real defects and removing real grev-
ances.
In the Legislative branch Of the government.
iair and impartial SYSTEM Of representation guard
ing alike the rights and the interests of every part
oil the Commonwealth, s Of the first Importance
and OF the utmost difficulty. In every society,
property az we'll as person, is entitled to pro,ec.
uon as matter OF right If it be deprived Of rep
resentation, that is, If its influence is not felt in
passing the laws by which its acquisition, enjoy.
mcnt and Transmission are regulated, its tenure n
one OF mere favour; its possession, a tenancy at
the viii OF any adverse interest that may happen
TO prevail in the legislature. Government heinz
designed to secure the rights of persons and the
rights OF property, and acting through its laws up.
on persons and property, 1t is impolitic and unjust
10 deprive either oil efficient protection, by deny-
ing to either Its proper and fair weight The con-
fiicting Interests OF Eastern and Western Virginia
on some subjects while they constitute no fair
ground OF exclusion from that share of reprcsenta-
hon justly belonging to the West, furnish strong
reasons Tor rejecting the basis of white population
only, and Tor insisting upon one, which will Sc
cure to those who pay the taxes, some control
over their amount and expenditure. If services
rendered to society, are considered as forming n
peculiar claim TO political influence, it must be re-
memoered, that while personal services are duo
by al! alike. the contributions cxacted by govern.
men III the form Of taxes, fall principally upon pro-
perty, and that property, Of course, should retain
some defence against oppressive taxation. +,
therefore, think that in fixing the basis of repre-
sentation i; should be one compounded of popuIa.
ton and taxation.
am decidedly in favour of retaining freehold
system OF suffrage. The present system might DO
extended TO many individuals now excluded with.
out losing sigh. of the principle ITSELF or weaken
ing in any respect its salutary operation. In sub
scribing to the doctrine contained in that part Of
the Bill of Rights, which declares, 9" that all men
having sufficient evidence of permanent, common
interest NTH, and attachment to, the commupi.
thing repugnant to il, in considering the posses
SION OF land. the strongest evidence of this peT-
n'drenf interest and attachment | deprecate
the idea Of unqualified suffrage az wild and mis-
ehievous, believing its tendency has been else
where, and will be here, to increase the nunrher
of voters ACCESSIBLE to the influence and ar,ifices
OF the rich and ambitious, to destroy the purity
oil elections and to impair the good order of society
The legislature should consist at present, Of
TWO houses; but with view TO increase its res
n II
wise legislation, the number of representatives in
its most numerous branch, might be greatly di.
minlshed. It's sessions should be annual and un.
limited. inconvenience, If not injury 10 the COM
munity' might be the consequence of imposing
limit, and by the reduction Of members, The evil
oil their unnecessary length would probably cease.
The Senate should be reformed, by small in
crease OF members. by limiting the term of SER
vice 10 two years, and by giving il the power to
originate all bills except money bills gee no
reason Tor any difference in the qualifications for
seat in the two houses, except the one OF greater
age in Senator.
The Judicial Department should be re modelled,
so as to prevent the grievous delay and expence
belonging in particular TO the chancery part OF il,
and so a, TO make The Judges removable from Of
nee Tor any incapacy. DegIect,or violation of duty.
But the manner OF their removal, should furnish a
clear indication of its justice, should guard them
against temporary prejudice or party spirit, and
should in no degree impair their integrity and in
dependence. impeachment and punishment,
might also be provided as additional securities
against breaches OF trust, or any other maI-fea-
sance IN Office. am opposed to Judiciary elect
ed oy I've people and going out of Office at regular
Periods The Judges should he chosen by the le-
gsiature as at present, continue i'm office as long
as they are faithful and capable, and be removed
or impeached whenever they cease 10 be So
am partial TO the county court part Of the system,
ana should disapprove any change. going to degrade
It's Character or reduce IFS powers. The magis-
trates should, therefore, retain their eligibility 10
the legislative Office, and their present powers
oil appointing the Sheriff and inferior Militia Off.
GERS.
In The Executive branch of tho Government,
the Council oil State should be abolished and pro-
vision made for discharging the duties of the Go.
vernon in the case of his death or resignation. I
am satisfied with The mode OF appointment, term of
service anu range OF powers, belonging 10 the
present Executive, and would be unwilling 10
transfer from the immediate representatives. of The
people, TO single officer, however chosen, any
sudiuona powers, or TO give 10 the latter, any con.
troll over the acts Of the former
The imposition Of taxes is a Jegislatiye act. and
in general, the power of the legislature over the
subject, should he restrained only by the principle
oil responsibility 10 the people. II the new com
sutuuon should be formed upon principles snsuiing
its Just and impartial exercise, this power should
remain unaltsred otherwise, the ssve-holdng part
Of the state, should claim fundamental law,
securing slaves against unequal OF oppressive tax
alton.
without perceiying any intimate CONNIE xion be-
tween the present subject and the late Presiden.
tai election, inssmuch the question has been
asked, and Is, therefore, deemed of some conse-
quence, have TO answer il BY saying that vot.
cd for the present President OF the United Stafes
Such are my opinions on the points presented