Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-31

Tic confidence In their justice and impartiaty. This Is
investigate the conduct, and punish the delinquency OF
men high in station and authority The Judges of such
court should not aay be free from bias interest," but,
like C9sar's wife, they should DO unsuspectcd.
But 1t is urged by the gentleman from Augusta,
that II Is important that the Judges should
part Of the court, that Il may possess within It.
sell that knowledge Of the law, which 10 necessary
10 correct decision. do not think this sufficient
reason. The Senators chosen from large diricts
.. country and we have right to suppose that they
wi generally be men Of Intelligence In point Of fact
100, many OF them always have been, and always win
DO lawyers, and sfter hearing cause ably discussed
oy eminent counsel lwho win generally be engsg-
edl there can be little doubt, but that the Senate
VIII De enabled to decide Il with propriety. IL Is
also worthy OF remark, that the kind OF offences for
wn;en mpeachments are brought, are frequently in
their nature political, and dependent on gen.
erai principles than strict technical learning s ex-
planned In one fihe numbers Of the Fcersst alluded
70. ne Senate, appears to me, will be compe-
eut tribunal, aud can see no motive which il can
have TO pronounce unjust sentence against Judge,
ana the reqnisi'ion OF two-thrs to convict, is su
cien security against the influence of the spirit Of
y or OF those sudden impulses 10 which public bodies
are sometimes exposed.
The gentleman from Augusta epdeavors to obviate
ms objection TO supposed bias in the minds Of the
Judges by saying that they would be restrained by
the presence Of the Senator's and OF the able counsel
who can 'csn their decisions. and by their Of
dignity, aud responsibility 10 public opinion This
gumen |, not inconsten, WITH but rather pre-
an inherent bias in tho mlnds Of the Judges 1t sup
pose, tina, this tendency fenced round. by guards.
and securities, which will dsarm il Of s mischief But
to me, il seems better TO take tribunal originally d,-
Interested than TO select one, which only be rem
dcrcd So by contradictions 10 its natural infimities.
This part Of the constitution has necer been &C ted on
and is remarkable proof of the purity of these con
cerned in the administration of our laws that in 81
years. not one individual has been by i'm
parchment.
Mr.. N said, always appeared to him. that the con.
stitution oil Virginia defective in regard to
limpeachnenis, than in any other respect Aud a
mongst other objections IT, is the provision which dire
that the Judges shall be trier Of their brethren.
Mr. N. said, he was decidedly friendly to the indie
pendence OF the Judiciary, in the he
that term. His votes 10 this body would prove this
He was for their tenure being during good behaviour
and he was against the removal OF Judges without
cause as proposed in resolutions before this
House. But whilst such his opinion, he was ecu
~ opposed to their being irresponsible, being above
the law Ii cannot be disguised that dis
satisfaction prevailed in the public mind as TO the or
ganzaon- of the Judiciary department He trusted he
was not moro liable than Others to be influenced by
mere popular clamor, but in all countries
IN Tree ones, much respect is due 10 public
and II should have an influence when are called up
on to revise our public institutions. The proper res
possibility Of Juigesis called for by public opinion To
it, as well that Of every other public functionary an
ask it at your hands. "If they ask for bread will YOU
give them a stone" answer-no. 1t is proper 70
guard their tenure of office from but to inter
no shield against just responsibilities consider the
Judicial department Of the important in our
government and will give which shall impair
its independence and consider myself acting as its
real friend. when wish avoid placing it in stua-
tion in which IL it does not incur we'll erted censurs
it may be exposed to suspicion.