Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-05-07
Mr. Orrick's Telfer.

10 MessrS John Is. Nhite, w. u woodrow,
John Jack, Isaac Parsons. Isaac Wolverton,
jobs Kern, iunr Charles Carlyle, Peter Mau
zy, William Vance, William Carlyle, John
Many. Samuel Coekerell. Edward Taylor,
John Myers, Thomas d. White, David Glib
son, Thomas Muliedy, Edward e. Mcdonald
Daniel Nytlnger, Carlton T. Jack, Frederick
Sheez. Charles 4. Msgill.
GRNTLEmss:--i have Just now keen your
letter, published in he MaFtinsburg GsEette,
addressed to General Boyd, p. C.. PendIe,on,
William SeymoFe, William MAYOR. William
Donaldson and myself requesting an explicit
Rvowsl through the medium OF the public press,
of our Sentiments, relative to the subject of Re.
for~ in our State Copstitution. snd parIicussr
~ upon the Following points;--First, with re
spect to the Judiqisry; Second, in regard to the
equalization Of Representation; Third, as 20 the
eXtt nson of the Rigat of Suffrage; Fourth, the
appointment Of Executive and Ministerial Off
GERS.
Ny name having been brought before the
public, among the names OF other persons to be
voted for, in the District composed Of the
Counties Of Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire and
Hardy as Delegates to the Convention, to be
hold IN October next, for the purpose of amend
ing the Constitution Of our States shall act up.
on tie principle, which has always governed
my conduct in reference 20 rerssns who wtre
subjects of popular suffrage, by acknowledging
tbr Fis III OT tiie people 10 uemanu, ana the
correspondent obligation of the candidate to
give, full, explicit. and candid expose of
bis views and sentiments, upon any SUBJECT on
which in the discharge OF The duties incident
90 the Otfce 70 which he aspires, he will prob
ably he required to act
viii therefore proceed 70 answer your en-
Gniries, us definitely and explicitly, as the mag.
Dliude of the subject, and my limited capaci ty
will allow me to do
~ ,tx.Ez
respect to the Judiciary - will emark that my
best reflections upon the subject have resulted
IN the conviction. that the whole system is rad
icaiiy detective, and calls loudly for Reform
throughout, from the Court of Appeals. down
to the County Courts. AS, however. many of
the objections 20 the system as il at present
exists, are the effects of ordinary legislation,
and Will necessarily, again be left to the opera.
ton and discretion Of the ordinary legislature
shall confins my remarks, principally, to such
portions oft, ss will probably be adjusted by
constitutional enaetments, and remain the set.
tied policy Of The State
conceive II to be indispensable 10 the eff
Gent drspensation of Justice from the bench,
that the very best intelligence, and the purest
INTEGRITY and patriotism, should be combined in
The person who is appointed to pronounce what
is the law of the land and TO apply 1t to the cit
2sns: and as sush a combination of appropriate
qualities cannot be found in every one who
Ysspires TO the dignity ofths ermine, and as the
emoluments, usually attached to the Office CT a
Judge, present no inducement to an able and
experienced Jurlst, engaged in a lucrative prac
tee. to resign his place at the bar for q seat
on the bench, without some security for the
perms0eney OF his situation; I deem il impur,
tant that tbs tenure OF his Office should be of
suoh permanent character, as TO remove from
bis oupidi,y, all temptation to The msadmns.
tTatiOn Of his office. and tn risra him baVood
the reach OF circumstances, calculated 10 bias
his judgment, or warp his integrity. But one
OF The greatest evils of which we have to com.
PLAIN, is TO be found in the total and entire If
responsibility Of the judges, under the present
Constitution; thair independence OF the people,
and OF tho Government is such that the most
glaring neglect Of duty, and the most frequent
outrsges OF justice, ara suffered to pass unuo
ticed IN consequence OF the extreme difficulty
OF reaching them, which only be done
through ths tardy and disagrsesble process OF
Impeachment. | am therefore of opinion, that
the judges should be hed strictly accountable
TO some appropriate tribunal, for any neglect of
official duty, proceeding from any cause what
ever whe her physical or mental debility, wan
ton negligence oP ignorance; and for NAL. ad.
minlstraiion of office in any manner. Ths Lei
gislature perhaps, presents the most eficient
facilities for the removal of delinquent Judge,
and must be considered from its peculiar con.
stitution and the dispersed localities Gifts mem.
bers the least liable 10 any Undue iniePsnoe,
arising from sectional pride OF Jealousy, the ties
OF kindred, or the more powerful incentive, OF
slmll'tude, Of situation and responsibility. II
the judges, for good cause shewn, are lisble 10
be removed BY majority; or by two thirds OF
the whole number of members of both bran
ches otthe legislature, think we should have