Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-11-03

lWoO3sfocs .Senfinel.
We find. in the last Winchester Republican.
copy Of ,i'c following petition to tic neat t:ssr-
raj Assembly. We entirely approve Of its oh
lect, sa.d hate ,l.,t it vii ct Tia, ap,x.,l.
ton OF a large portion Of the people VI jefferson
To the General assembly Of V,gin.a.
The memorial OF the undersigned. ei,izcu. of
- county, respectfully rprs.nts.
That your memoriaiists cherish the
most unfeigned regard Tor the laws and
institutions, generally, Of our ancient
commonwealth; but whilst they Yield
to none in afectiOnate attachment for
the political institutions Of the state of
their birth and Of their adoption, they
are not insensible that defects, glaring
defects, exist in some Of the statutes
OF the state-defeots, which, the OBJ
servation and experience Of past years,
IN the view OF your mcmorialists, i'm.
periously require the prompt intcrpo-
sition Of your honorable bodies.
Your mcmorialists disclaim enter
tanning any desire for wanton innova-
ton on long established usagcs which
experience has proved to- be salutary
and wise; but they are constrained to
pronounce the existing laws for hold
ing the elections Of this common " ealth,
as not of that class.
Your memorialists deprecate that
provision Of the election Ia rs which d.
reefs that the elections shall be held
on the respeciice court days in the
month Of April. The evils which that
provision give rise TO, are paftic ularly
to be regretted, in reference to the
congressional and senatorial elections.
Your memorialists deem il an act Of
supererogation to enter into an elabo-
rate detail Of the various objections to
which the present system, generally,
is obnoxious. Let 3 few suHice-o-
theirs will doubtless occur to the minds
Of your honorable body:
Illuminating as is the fact, it never.
thelcss cannot be denied, that the in
tervening time which occurs between
the different elections Of the counties
comprising either u congressional or
senatorial district, when different can
didates present themselves, is general
~ employed in pursuing u system Of
eiectionesrins and intrigue, totally in
compatible, as your memorialists be-
iieve, with the purity and Independence
Of the elective franchise, and disgrace.
full to freemen. The political strength
OF particular candidate flor example,)
IN an election which has passed, in ono
or more counties, being asccr,ained,
the political machinery Of others. yet
to follow, is set in motion 20 defeat
him; combinations are formed-com
promises made--ihe passions Of the
people are aroused-county is arraved
against county--and, in fine, n state Of
things revolving to every honorable and
patriotic mind, is cngendered.
This, your memorialists aver, is not
merely fancy sketch; such instances
hare occurred; and, under the present
system, must necessarily continue to
occur. What plan, then, so rational,
and so well calculated TO avert the e.
wills which have been enumerated, as
to have all the elections ia the com
monwcalth to take place on the same
day: A plurality Of votes governing
our elections, the change proposed
would doubtless ensure the lairest ex.
preston of the will Of the people; the
voters would thus exercise the elective
franchise totally uncontrolled 10y ad
VentitiOus circumstances a day or
two would determine our elections
the strife would have but an ephemeral
existence; reason would promptly re.
sumo her empire, aud harmony be as
promptly restored. " That an enyiabIe
state Of things, when contrasied with
the evils which the present system
gives birth to. VIII, or can tie &c.
presentatives Of Lhe people hesitate a.
TO which they will prefer
Your lJemOrialists farther pray, thai
the election laws Of the common wealth
De also SO amended, IN reference TO the
duration Of the elections, as TO leave
nothing IN the discretion Of either can
didatep, sheriffs or commissioners
The provisions Of the Law, upon thii
subject, your memorialisis deem vagu,
aud underlined, and susceptible Of grear
abuse. Sberifs are but men--pron,
to the same passions and inhrmitiei
that other men srej fhsy also have theil
prejudices and their predictions. =
The sheriff - the arbiier 10 determine
whether there exists any just cause Z,
continue open the polls: his favorit,
perhaps Is bindmost llor he must b,