Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-11-26

EXPENSE
answer, that the remote prospect of the sherifat
with its nconsderabe emolumen--and inevitable
risk and difficulty ofenimes of procuring security,
will compensate The trouble, exposure and pccunary
loss of almost c's labor the arduous responsible
and thankless office Of Magistrate Is it pretended
that the mere love 9f"a little brief authority" and
the small distinction and honor which it contcrs
be an nducementor will it be said, that patriotism
and desire TO render the public service, prompts
ny to act in that capacity? lie knows little of human
nature, VIII, does know, thai ioces to ozark
for nothing and find himself which is pretty much
the cnse with strates 1t is plain then i'm their
view of the matter, that the magistrates this are
not to blame 1t is the defect of the system.
How is this defect to be cured? Nothing can be
more obvious To secure the prompt and faithful ad-
ministraion the aw-let there be pecuniary COM
pensaton provided for the actual services rendered..
all events pay to each Justice the expencc he may
be subject To in attending at the Court House. How
aud to what degree mus, be for you in your judge
ments to determine.
1t is not whilst Oh the beach, that the magistrate
discharges the most aborious part of his duties 1t
while 'oaoing and trying notwithstanding conser
vators OF the peacesatting to take dispositions, and
riding to distance to witness acknowledgements to
deeds--all this is done cheerfully often with difficult
ty and with other prospect hope of reward than
the sherifalty some ten fifteen years afterwards
1t may be safely pronounced that there is no office
under our Government SO responsibe--none so ardu-
ous-none SO thanklcss, and none so poorly compen-
sated Ought not these matters to merit your early
and serious considerations call on the Deega es
particularly from the Northern Neck where these
defects more glaringy exhibited, TO exert them
selves to have them corrected and reformed.
properly administered must be understood In order to
accomplish this the greatest desidesatum, in rendering
county court system perfect and adequate the important ends
of its institution of the best talents responsibility
should be chosen in each county agreed tina, few sciences
saon have on e evey ire
respect should he had the intelligence
commissioned than is usually had The .cec, of having
IUpnr sbah
minds easily bassed by previous knowledge the
facts of the caseihey have the ecacy decline sitting
in IT. and pronounce judgment according
notion prcudcethe evidence and the law contrary
notwithstanding This evil have Witnessed, much the
injury of party concerned But do them justice act
believe often conscientousy, and under
standing The legislature should pass law making mper
alive the Executive to commission who
fed on the of talents and responsibility
The monopoly of commissions 100. in families much COM
planned of in counties. The magisracy being self
constituted body, uniformly nominate their
family arstocracy in almost every counydanssros on ac
count of the influence which they possess and partial
OF their bestowng all offices their gift to kin ON favores
without regard qualification In these remarks
dclaim particular application, having the good
observe where been my lot to-
attend in my professional capacity upon It more as
defect likely and to he guarded against acu
not be my subject of the DUAL
ifcaons of magistrates We have intelligent bench with
few exceptions In this intend nothing PERSONAL and
genesen of the quorum must admit themselves the truth and
foundation of my observations.
In the third and last place. most beneficial alteration could
be effected. in limiting the jurisdiction of the county
From the observation have been enabled make, by
occasional attendance the cohrs doubt is left
mind that justice would much more speedily
by transferring to our superior courts Of law much of the bust
that is transacted in The
themselves would be relieved of much of abour
present imposed them by deciding law points, arising
the argument OF demurrers On motions to exclude evidence
from ues motions for trials motions ries
greater exeons uniformly made important
involving large amount than in small and very
know nothing of practice and special pleading, feel
embarrassed by motions and applications such above
the of supersdeass of rs esror ap-
eals would be avoided Let the penalty of 500 of bond
or less limit the jurisdiction in actions of debt permit
the superior courts to have jurisdiction with
county in all actions of trousr and conversion
1ssinps covenant, &c &c. although the be less
SlO0 OF the chancery jurisdiction of the county
nothing 1t would do well suffer remain with
These subjects of grave and vital import That you
will consider them matuey and wisely talent
and sound sense of body ample guaranty confess
great experience of distinguished member from enico we
are persuaded to expect much No present. in
State unites and splendid qualifications make
his useful important in the ensuing
And augurS auspciousy TO the of legislation,
and prosperity and glory our State that he will be
present again, with renovated powers country
and win fresh aures the and memorable field of his
fame. need scarcely say allude BENJAMIN Watkins
Lss who whilst he entitled gratitude of Eastern
Virginia and ju has acqureda
that will descend future ages legislator itself
and none else parallel Excuse this
erosion The subject fell in may way and tempted the
Now is the time 'puc wizard beard of hoary error
and place the judicial institutions of upon solid
sure, and wise basis You will legsate subject for
posry; and may be our as well their happy lot
from your hands perfect piece of workmanship Then
i1sly may excam like oden Barors of England no
lu1a1s gs Pirginiae EoIs the system exist TO
very injurious and the more TO be tolerated be
they ancient Errors the same whether of YES
terday, of the last century and If there was time
when the long standing disease of system required the DO
liical cautery and knife, it is REfORMER'
FoR THE WING.
Messrs Editors:-Havlng few days past, perceiv-
cd some very able and correct remarks in your paper
recommending the. petitioniDg of the next Legisla-
ture. to license Billiard Tables and other games now
restriccd,Ss the best means of putting down Faro;
and us the existing law that subject causes great
inconvenience, long absence rom business, and much
loss OF tIme to those who compose the different
Grand Juries of our City-will you please to admit
INTO your paper, this suggestion to the next Grand
Jury, viz: To recommend the law against Gaming
as it row stands, and the above mentioned neon
venieDces attending the to which they are sub
ect, 10 the and wise consideration othe next
General Assembly Yours, respectfully
a MAN OF BUSINESS