Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-05-07
Gen. Bogd's Letter
May l., 1929.
BOTDyILLE, Nav

Messrs John p. White, w. G. Woodrow, Iohn
Jack, Isaac Parsons, Isaac Wolverton, John
Kern, Jr. Charles Carlyle. Peter Mauzy,
William Vance, William Carlyle, 5ohn Maui
~, Samuel Cockerel, Edward Taylor, John
Myers, Thomas b. White, David Gibson.
Thomas Mulledy, Edward C Mcdonald.
Daniel Mytingerp Carlton r. Jack, Freder
lex Sheez and Charles T. Msgill,
GENTLEMEN:--T'he Hartnsburg ga
zeue of yesterday, contains your note of
2ist uit addressed to Philip G Pendle-
ton, C. 0rrick, Wm. NayIor, WIN. Don.
aldson, VIM. Seymore and myself, re
guessing an explicit declaration Of our
sentiments through the medium of the
public papers on the subject OF reform,
and especially on the following points
ist With respect to the Judiciary;
9nd. In regard TO equsli2ing repre-
sentation;
Sd. As to the extension OF the right of
suffrage;
4th The appointment OF the execu
tive and ministerial officers.
shall answer those queries with the
candour which the occasion requires,
and in the order stated
defective and requires reform. Whilst I
consider the independence Of the Judges
essential to the impa rtial administration
of Justice, and the best security TO the
rights and liberties of the people Whilst
l would fix The tenures OF their office
with certainty and precision, would
make them responsible for a constant
~ nJ Foithf,,I die bar~~o IS H., S.,,: q
would provide for their removal from
Office, not only for the commission of
offences for which they are now i'm
peachable; but for every permanent in
capacity or inability, for regular dis
charge Of duty. would remove the m
from Office, as well for oulitting faith .
fully TO discharge their duty, as for NAL
administration and corruption. would
remove them from Office, by the address
of two thirds of each branch of the
legislature, sole mnly approved by the
governor,
The number of Judges of the Court
Of Appeals, ought in my opinion, to be
Fixed by the Constitution. The organi.
cation, an detail. of The Judiciary Sys-
tenn. conceive ought to be left to the
ordinary legislature
End. In answer TO this query Thava
no hesitation in say ing that white popu-
lation is the only true and correct basis
of representation ia a republican GO
vernment.
Sd. Query. I am in favour of the ex.
tension of the right of suffrage. think
Our bill OF rights contains the correct
principal. on this subject. "Al men
"having sufficient evidence of perma.
''nent com mon interest with, and attach.
."ment to the community, have the right
"of suffrage" My reflections on this
subject, have led me to the conclusion,
that all persons should be admitted TO
participate in the affairs of government
that can be so admitted with safety, aud
that all men ought to have the right of
suffrage, who can furnish satisfactory
evidence of their having settled in the
Commonwealth, with an intention of re
naming in the Commonwealth; that
they have resided IN the county in which
they offer to vote, a certain fixed peri.
cd; and that they have contributed to
support the expenses and burthens Of
the government By the payment Of taxes.
7 9Th. As TO the appointment of the exs>
ecutive and ministerial officers 1t is my
opinion, that the governor ought to be
elected by the people, and ought to be
responsible for the faithful discharge of
.all the duties Of that department II
would oe extremely harrassing to the
people to be required to elect all the
executive and ministerial officers. 1t
would produce much confusion and
mischief-the people would become