Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-10

losancn q the government, ~ ccnnned 10 Executive
duties sione.
| The Judiciary should be more Immediately res
Ponsibie to the people. by being subject to remo-
val at all times the JOINT address OF both branch
es Of the Legislature. The judges ought, like all
other Puid,e J"ncfsongries in the language Of the
Bill Of Rights. to feel that all powe. is vested in,
and consequently derived from, the people; that
they are their trustees and servants. and at all
times an,ehable to- them.'' Even in England,
whose boosted judiciary is tlte-theme and panesy-
ric OF All countries for its judicial Knowledge firm
ness5 fmpartia.Hy aad independence, {except
where the PrerogAtives uf the crswn are ques-
tioned,) the judges are removable upon the Joint
address OF both Houses Of Pariiamenf as they are
III many OF our Sister Sta es. AT present the judges
are ainost privileged class in Va, holding their
Offices during good behaviour, and removable by
impeachment for NAL administration or corruption
which impeachment is always to be tried before
tt'eir brother judges of the General Court or
Court Of Appeaiss and although Judge NAV be
mentally and physically disqualified, and reraers
no sc vce TO the state in his judicial character il
is contended under the Constitution (and perhaps
rightly too) that he cannot be impeached and re-
moved from Office; and that too in DESPITE of the
Bill of Rights, which declares, s That no man.
or set OF men, are entitled to exclusive or sepa-
rate emoiuments or privileges from the communal
~; but in consideration of public services"
The right Of suffrage should be extended with
proper guards limitations and restrictions: everv
irce white male citizen of this Commonwealth,
above Il years of age, who has resided 2yeays in
the county where lie proposes TO vote, and who
pays and can shew the regular payment OF a
county or state tax, ought to have this right. Al
present. large and respectable portion of the
community. who are subject to the operation of
its laws, and pay the burihens of Government in
various forms, are deprived Of all political rights,
under the deussve idea, as think, that they ha ve
not eonmon interest with. and attachment to-
the community. The great object of Government
IN all wef-regulated societies, is to protect ger
sons and property That protection Is weakened in
PROPORTION as you exclude portion Of the commu-
nifty from all participation in the Government
Would the extension of tho elective franchise,
with proper guards and limitations, SOFAS to xclude
.fsnerdnts and others, who have not common in
| terest with, and attachment to, the community,
put IN jeopardy either the one the other.-No
man can seriously entertain such an idea. In not
one OF our Sister States, believe, is the elective
franchise restricted to the freehold, with the ex-
cepuon OF Worth Carolina, where, in the Senate
only they have freehold qualification, aud pro-
perry and persons are all well secured; aud il
some OF the states we witness most unexampled
prosperity.
These are my ideas upon the change of cur
Constitution There are some other subjects of
minor Importance, which have not thought ne
cessary to mention; did deem il all necessa-
~ to go into elaborate argument train Of rea
sonins upon the several amendments here spoken
| OIL; nor have the vanity to suppose, that any
scheme of mine would be adopted by the Conven.
lion in all its parts, and that mine alone could
vote for. Such opinions would forbid the pros
pect OF any amendments whatever. tbs, never
theless right and proper that the opinions of eve
~ man, for whom poll will be opened, should
De Known. l have only, therefore, complied
with request of Manu- FTeehoiders of Louisa"
which request is in accordance with my own
views of propriety.
In conclusion, have only to say, if tho Dis.
trict should think proper to elect me, as one of
its members to the State Convention win serve
them to the best Of my humble capacity.
HORATIO G.. WINSTON.
4
To .Mesws. Thomas r. Joynes Of the COUNTY, Of
.hcc0mdek Severn E. Parker Of .Northamp-
tom, Thomas r. Yeafman Of Matthews and
Colonel William Jones of Gloucester.
| Gentlemen: Perceiviug that you have been nom.
mated as tt & proper persons to represent the Sc
material district (of which the above named counties
form a'part in the Convention, which is to assem-
bic In Richmond on tho 6rst Monday in October
next !: for the purpose of framing amendments to
the Constitution Of Virginia-the writer takes The
liberty Of exercising the privilege which every vo.
ter has, OF demanding the views and opinions of
candidates for this all-important trust--Although
| the writer was one of the few in this section of
the state, who imbibed an early opinion that our
present Constitution docs not, in some respects res
pond to the Republican principles so plainly laid
down by our revolutionary patriots, as beacon to
warn us, and compass by which to steer the ship
Of state-yeths is not fcr GONG such lengtb- in
the work Of reform as will break down all orde r,
and rearing in its stead. confusion and anarchy-
There arc yet many timbers in the old edifise per-
fectIy sound and convenient, to which would
cling to the last, and am fully persuaded, that if
skilful workmen are employed, the building
might be repaired to much advantage, by tax,
ing oct the rotten tiinbers and Replacing the m
| with sound ones
The writer is aware that most, if not all of you
voted against any reparsbut surely after the faui-
| ~ have determined by large majority that the
detects should be cured the builders ,whc they
were for repair not in the first instance will 20
about the work in good faith, and cause such
amendments TO DO engrafted on the old stock, as
VIII produce fruit agreeable to the peoples taste
It il believed that yotr have usually worn the
badge OF Democracy, and il 10 much desired by the
writer, who respects you highly. that your course
upon this subject should furnish such evidence, as
viii prevent even single doubt as to your repub :
can sincerity. The writer is far from being dis.
posed to make party question of this matter; he
would rather trust some who were opposed TO any
change, than many Of the most strenuous advo.
Gates OF reform; believing that the former would do
more good in limiting the extent Of innovation,
than the latter, who would be too apt to run into
esiremities With these hasty views, therefore,
and experimenting, that the Conventionists are not
likely to propose ticket, composed of such men
as the writer could, consistent with his political
principles, vote for, he begs leave to PROFOUND the
following interrogatories, the answers TO which
will enable him and many others, (who are no
doubt in the same precicament,) TO decide which
OF the tickets, IL either, can be supported by him.
Will you, or will you not, If elected, vote against
any amendments which may be proposed in Con.
| vention to our present Constitutions!
| What amendments, If any, are you in favour of /?
| And do you, or do You not, hold sacred the prin-
cipies declared in the Virginia Bill of Rights as the
foundation OF Republican Government
| Your early answer, gentlemen, is earnestly soil
cited by
Il FreehOider of Gloucester.
4 Il.