Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-10
JUDGE FUCKERS LETTER.
WINCHESTER, March o6

w lNCHIsIEit, March 20, 1929.
SieSs's. WIiiam By,cateys, Joseph Hackney, I'm.
Lynn, and Josidh Lockhaa
Gentlemen: | duly received your Joint communion.
ton, and should have proceeded immediately 10 reply
to 1t; but as you intimaed that an answer would not
be expected before April court, and as l was pressed
by some urgent avocations, have postponed this let
ter until the present moment
Your first inquiry relates to the extension of the
right of suffrage; and am asked whether do not
think Itmay be Autobiography extended | answer
IN the affirmative. In the nature of the thiu il can-
not be universal and accordingly I'll concur in the ex-
cluson of slaves and free negroes and even of infants
and females. But very many are obviously excluded
whose virtue. intelligence and deep stake in the wei
are OF the republic Will compare advantageousy with
the most respectable of the class ofctizens to whom
the privilege is at present confined. Persons hodino
leases tor years, merchants engaged in business not
only ganful to themselves but profitable TO the State
ana the industrious mechanic who is as independent
OF MS employer as ms employer is OF him. are nstan
ces OF unjust exclusion from this essential rOht of
the citizen. ! therefore hope there will be no diff
Guilty IN the approaching Convention as to those and
otnet nertorlous classes OF citizens, though the
right OF suffrage be not rendered universal Persons
may be so situated, however, as TO render il upis
20 extend TO them this privilege, though it is cera in
~ very difficult to draw the lino Take, for example
Ine numerous hands employed in our manufacturing
establishments, VINO are h0re to-day and ponc tonoT
fo", who hang loosely upon society that thew can
scarcely be considered members Of the body politic
In other States it has b0en found that the wealthy
owner OF such an establishment will go the polls fol
loWcd by hs numerous hands, all ready TO coniplv
with his wishes, and thus enabling one man i'm fact TO
controul the election Of county While therefore
am for very considerable extension of the ripht
ofsuffrage, cannot affirm that it ought to be unver
SAL aud am of opinion that the line should he dro,vp
with the most scrupulous desire 10 embrace all bn
may fairly be considered as members If The Common
weaHh, and who cannot be regarded as under impro-
per influence or controul How this is to be done
must be matter ofcandld and deliberate consulta-
decide NIL II,
would unfit the individual for dcberative body
~ 70 The appointment Of representatives between differ
Ont ectons OF the State my can conceive Of
white population.
modelled 90 as 10 promote the interests the people" TO this
Isy mat am Of opinion that very important changes may
y ~ made IN this branch Of the government think that
advisable that the term judges service should expire AT
sV years of agehat besides being removable by impcac
men Tor neavou he should be also removable by vote Of
@ 1 n'JoI'y o inc Legislature when inibecihy in
capacity OF body or mind disquafes him from due Discharge
e ohcial duties The question Of the separation of the
cnancery ana common law ~ OF the propTc ANAL
Rnag the whole Of the doctrines ofaw and Guilty as is done
~ fennsyyania conceive, matter which the convention
nave nonS to DO with and which they and ought leave
70 Tire decision Of the legislative body have no doubt bov
ever tia, the Gr Of the Legislature will be 10 unite hc
common law and chanceTy powers the same individuals
Lastly ask"whcberihe executive md ministerial officers
Z" NE government should not be elected Immediately by the pe
III ~, 10Y prepared ~ say Nat IT would not be adv.
ae 70 vest the election Of The governor in the people, bn,
N e experience of other States has proved that there no
aage ~ ihIs mode OF appointing sheriIs and such like
Ministerial officers Nothing indeed, can be worse than Our
~ -, mode since any JUy himself into the nfcr Of
nefl VINO WI bid enough for H. it the election by the pe,
Re oia ministerial officers wOui De pregnant with conf,op
"n' ncnc, and would result IN the officers being in fact
aWOnhd by some i.w individuals who might and would take
upon themselves % make general ticket for the voo AZ
'e Renee pre- umc that would advocate the an
nnen by the people Of cooner attorneys Tor the common
wealth attorney general, auditor treasurer register clerks of
VIC HOUSES OF assembly, and the great variety Of other Officer
VINO upon reflection you would find comprehended by the terms
cEccufivc aud ministerial.
have thus, gentlemen replied your queries wild, the can
' que both 90 and To myself have gone into no detail
neI Of ie',.r hope however 1t will prove Sufficiently
'N"rI I've (rcgong il IN unfinished letter Of Chanceor
luckes 10 the gentlemen above named When ne had rro
oeHed @ T be was taken very sick with cold ever and
confined 10 bis bed which hc s unable leave Tie dc
' IS tow'rcf. 20 AID as - no judiciary thar no % utterly