Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-10

( Whether the executive and ministerial officers of
the government ought not to be elected Immediately
/ by the pcople?'
In compliance with Your request state that it has
long been, aud Is not my opinion merely but the set
tied conviction of my mind, formed after patient and
laborous investigation and mature consideration,
that the existing limitation of the right of suffrage
Is absurd and iropubcan and that the enjoyment
OF the right ought to i. extended 10 large proper
tjnn of tho non heeiiolders now held in state of
political acknowledgements. without necessity, and
therefore against right. For the reasons which
these opinions are founded, refer You 4 pamphlet
written 10 625, entitled The Constitution of TO,
Il copy OF which accompanies this letter. They arc
set forth at large, from page 81 to page 81 inclusive
or my opinions on the subject Of the existing in
equailty o represent ti0n and the principles which
should regulate the distribution of political power
among the ditereu sections of the commonwealth,
reier you to the same pamphlet pages to % in
ciusive--t0 pamphlet written in February 1927,
entitled "Ihc Convention question in 1897" and tn
one written i'll December l8o8, entitled can earnest
appeal 10 the fiends of Reform in the Legislature of
Virginia copies of which are herewith sent. Ihave
ST. iIfih at large, in those publications, the reasons
which have Produced settled conviction il, my mind
that representation ong to be equaliscd on the ba-
SIS of white population alone.
take up the fourth question cut Gifts order to say
tiit am decidedly OF opinion that the governor and
the Fncrii's ought to be elected immediately by the
people.
On the remaining. subject, ''t,le judiciary branch of
Tie Constitu'lon my opinion IS. but it is given with
great ucfefeucc TO the difficulty of the subject, that
the following notifications OF the existing system
tshouid be cngraited on the new constitution:
/, That the Judges should be appointed by the
governor, by end with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
g That they shoid hold their Offices durinr rood
behaviour or until removed by the concurrent vote OF
TWO thirds OF each OF the Legislative bodies mot of
quorum OF those bodies) soleruly approved by the
governor the causes OF such removal TO be distinctly
set forth III Che resolution of imGtion and
- nat the number of the Judges of the Court Of
Appeals Should he fixed by the Constitution
am not aware of any other desirable, chance in
the fundamental organization Of the judiciary depart
cnt, save ouly, that there should be 10 const, tou-
al court except the Court Of Appeals. AS to the or
ganzation. lii detail. of the judiciary svstem con-
coive that should be left TO the ordinary cpisla
tive bodice.
repeat that on the subject Of the judiciary ex
press my opnions with great !fdence and only be-
cause an! expressly requested TO state them. Tic
subject is full OF difficulty, and consider him pre-
srmrtuous politician who does not hold himself open
TO conviction on all Its important points.
fou perceive that have not attempted to assign n
SINGLE reason, except by reference for the opinions
have stated. take it for grant ed that Won did not
expect them To give the reasons on which my opin-
ions are founded would swell my letter into treatise
you, presume, inclination to read.
lam, gentlemen,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JOHN 4. COOKE.