Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-24

To strict accountability for their moral Department.
q Tor offences III these respects would have them for
the good ofthe community, brought TO n speedy trial
before an impartial tribunals Consider asothat when
ever by age or infrmity they shall become unfit for
the due and faithful discharge Of the functions of their
oihce they should be removed from il as speetily as
possioie at the same time however, bestowng on
them some evidence of public grattudes when by
long devotion to the public service they shot Id stand
IN need of It, But in the organization of the tribu
nal that should try them | would seiulo,slv ruard
them against the fury of faction and the ntcmpcrate
persecution OF popular excitement.
Inc judiciary system too is susceptible OF amend
ment and reform both in its superior and inferior tr
bunals The Chanccry circuits like those of the Su
perior Courts of law might with great propriety be
brought nearer TO the doors Of the people for whose
good they are established. The County Courts
might undergo great and material changes and i'm
provemcns rs is evident to all those who have occa
SION TO resort TO them. would amend, but not aho-
liSh them.
j. The basis of future representations"
10 give my opinion IN full upon this subject will
not hope be expected at this time 1t has long
slnce however been favourite principle with me,
tnat white population should be that basis-riyinr
however TO the owners of property Of every descrip-
ton Sufficient guarantee agaius, oppression and
hat the revenues OF The government should be fairly
ano properly dlSburscd. But whilst would do this
would not give to those who possess property i, 4
greater degree than others, that prcponderance in
the government which would enable themto practise
oppression on their part Equality is the true basi
ours is considered to be, and in proportion as Won re-
cede from 1t by giving to wealth an undue wcrht
you approach towards an odious arstocracv and en-
anie the rich TO grind down md Cypress the other
classes, WHICH they could do in a var,v of ways.
AND would quiet the apprchousions of the rich hv
withholding from the poorer classes the power 0f
Compelling them to pay more FOX their property,
nan ITS proper RATIO OF taXation which might be
done, by an advl.orcn tax, upon ali proocr.
ty real and personal according to its va'Vc---oT
I'm sone other way---l should consider i fair that
every man should pay tax fot the support Of the
Government III proportion to ms property. lie who
mas much Shnuld pay han he who has bat little
because he has to be protected And as i. Is
| the duty OF every III the community to AFFORD
protection to all the property in the community b.
VINO mas property should pay for is protection II
proportion To Its amount.
Some contend that the possession of slaves shonld
give to the county or district in which they exist an
increased number OF Representatives bv addirr 10
the whole number ofwhte population thrcc-iitths Of
the slavcg.
| am disposed MYSELF to estimate slaves rs proper
ty they have been heretofore so estimated IN all our
state concerns, and 1t is our policy IN relation to ouT
own private interests, and the peace oftke conmlni
" hat they should be estinated nov; both bv rs
ana themselves. In this point OF view cannot con-
ceWc why as species of property they should o;vn
more political weight 10 county or district than
the possession of any other property OF equal value
ne result would be- to give 10 such county or dis
trlct the preponderance OF power or in otSr words
TO enable the people living in the eastern section of
our state where there is a large black population
to retain the p'epondcrance Of power in their hands
As they now have 1t. Il IL the propriety Of retain
lg tins superiority III this way that is contcndn6 for
by the East and resisted by the West; it = scam {
be for power between different sections ort!e State
Il there is any thing in the views | have taken and
Inc principles have advanced that would pu an end
to these cuds and lealousies, let this be the bos
ness of the new Constitution.
with respect to government in general, | would !
have 1t to consist of three departments or branches
IN Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branch and
hese would have separate and independent ofaach
'ther IN their modes OF proceeding, each forming
check upon the other for the better securing the
lights OF the people; have as yet said nothing of
he Executive, but the propriety Of extending the |
land ofreform to that also cannot be doubted.
That the business OF the Convention MAJ ter,ni.
'ate 10 the satisfaction Of all and rebound to the
happiness and prosperity Of common country 4, ,
he ardent wish of your frieni and fellow citizen
JOHN SHACKLEFORD. I