Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-22

nves, because It would facilitate business and DUNN
Ism the expense of government.
That the representation should be equal, and ba-
SEQ upon the white population of the state. In no o.
vent would ! agree, that the present county dclcra-
ZION should be pcrpctuatcd, or that slaves should be
represented rs persons, MIR us , property, unless
"Iler Classes OF property were included.
mar the right of suffrage should be extended.
J .We abstract, the doctrine of unlimited or universal
right of suffrage is indefensible. There are limits
oo'h natural and artificial, which neither can nor
snooid be transgresSed. For example, slaves. luna
.cs, his,'ts' women, from their peculiar relation TO
"o', "nu those who, hy non residence and non-pay-
h,e't OF taxes have not exhibited sufficient evidence
o, attachment To, ard interest in the community.
snou1u not De entitled to vote. With these cvcep.
''o,'S'i would extend the right ofsuftrage To all.
- am IN favor of a~bolishing the county courts,
ana substituting III their ste d courts cornposod of
me- well acquainted with the laws, and who should
receive a reasonable compensation for their services.
ne 'uanequacy OF the county courts of Virginia to
perform the functions assigned thom, is proverbial.
thcy arc an eXcresccnce of tho colonial system. and
possess arlstocra'ic features in INSTRUMENTATION alike
ihiinlcd TO republican principles and to the prompt
anu eiilcicnt administration of Justice. The powers
OF the county courts are iiRIlcnsc; their common law
and charccry jurisdiction is mliinitcd; they have the
appointment vi tneIr Clerk; the nomination of She
RMS ana Justices of the Peace, ofmilitia officers I'M
der The grade OF Brigadier; the appointment of Con.
stables, Surveyors of roads; the granting of licenses
To tavern keepers; the right of making. altering and
disseminating the public roads; the power TO lew mo-
ney for ali county purposes, &c; in short, there is
accumulated IN their hands Ill the political power of
me county, except the right once a year in the FREQ.
holders, 10 vote for delegates, II senator, or n CON
gresham. Besides nbohshing the county courts, I
world transfer the right of the appointments above
enumerated, IN most instances from the courts To- the
people.
D. That as n general rule the people, in whom the
sovereignty confcssctly resides, should immediate civ
elect or appoint %ali'public fuo tionarics, and more e..
pccIaHy their Chief Magistrate: This would create
u responsibility which would be sa!utary, aud is in
tact she animating principle of 4 republican govern
nent.
o. | am IN favor. decidedly, Of changing our system
OF county taxation, which IL a poll tax, the most obi
Gus and unjust in the whole system of taxation; and |
would substitute therefor, II contribution to be raised
from the people, in q ratio pruportiuncd TO their pro-
pcrty.
have here, fellow citizens, given u brief sketch of
my. opinions oil the different subjects Of reform, which
viii be urged III the Convention. If they are acccr-
table to YOU and | should re selected as your dele.
gate, my best efforts viii be steadily used to eject
t!icir adoption. MOSES w. ClfAPLiNE.