Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-11-26

VIII compensate the trouble, exposure aud pccuniary
loss OF almost c's abor in the arduous responsible
and thankless Office nj Magistrate. Is il pretended
that the mere love of"a little brief authority" and
the small distinction and honor which il con;ers, can
be an inducemcnt--or will it be said that pat riotism
anu desire to render the public service prompts ma
ny To act m thai capacity, lie knows little of human
nature VIII does know, that man torres tc ,c,yk
for nothing and find himseD; which is pretty much
the case with aisraics IL is plain then in their
Wow Of the matter. that the magistrates In this are
not to blame. II is the defect ofthe system
How Is this defect to be cured9 Nothing can be
more obvious. To secure the prompt and faithful ad-
innlstra ion oIthe law-,ct there b. a pecuniury com
ponsation provided for the actual services rendered.
oil events pay to each Justice, the expencc he may
b. subject to in attending the Court House. How
ments to determine
Il ia not whilst on the beach, that the ma yis,ra,e
discharges the most aborous part of his duties 1t is
while issuing and trying notwithstanding conscr-
vators OF the pcacc--seting % take depostcns and
riding to distance to witness acknowledgements to
deeds-a this is done cheerfuly, often with Difficult.
~ and with no other prospect hope OF reward than
the sherfalty some ten or fifteen years afterwards
IL may be safely pronounced that there is no Office
under our Government so responsble--none SD ardu.
ous-nonc so thanklcss, and none so poorly compen-
sated Ought not these matters To merit your early
particularly from the Northern Neck. where those
defects are more glarngly exhibited, to exert them,
selves to have them corrected and reformed.
IN the next place. is plain, thu, for law we'll and
properly administered, it be understood In order to
accomplish Tins the greatest desideatun in rendering our
county court system perfect and adequate important ends
OF its institution OF The best talents
should he chosen in each county agreed science.
are complex and intricate the law Those Who have
made study for years. find difficulty correct n,erpre.
taon To have educated lawyers bench in every in
stance know impossible and would b. desirable
more respect should be had to the intelligence
commissioned. than is usually had The effect having
ignorant and era,e magistrates the BENCH m th,t their
minds easily biassed previous of the
facts OF the caseihey have the decacy decline sitting
III H. aud pronounce judgmen, according
notion prejudcehe evidence and the contrary
Notwithstanding This evil have Witnessed much the
oil concerned But Justice they act
believe, often conscentousy and under
standing, The legislature should pass law making mpcr
ave upon the Executive dual.
hea on the score OF talents and responsibility
nain.d of y; , ~ omn. TOO tn families much CON
constituted body uniformly nominate their kindred and
family aristocracy IN amcs, every county dangerous IN
count Of the influence which they and partial because
without regard qualification IL III .se remarks
dsciam any particular application having the good
never to observe IN the counties where it has been my
attend in my professional apacy remark UPON It more a.
defect likely to and to be guarded sans actu
ally existing and requiring correction And hope too may
not be misunderstood remarks thu subject the q,a
ihcaions OF magistrates We have intelligent bench with
lew exceptions In this intend nothing pei the
gentlemen OF the quorum must admit themselves the truth
foundation Of my observations
In the third and last place alteration could
ne enec'ed IN limiting the jurisdiction of
From the observation. have been enabled make by an
occasional attendance the doubt is left on INV
mind. but that would he obtained much more speedy
that transacted our county cou The justices
themselves would he relieved OF much of that at
presen, imposed upon them by dec ding law non,s an M
the argument Of demurre to exclude evidence
from jures motions for trials motions instruct irie
anil arrest Of judgments &c &c More in,.es, s aLc1 ,nd
greater exeons uniformly made counsel important,
involving large amount than IN small ones and
tina, magistrates who have the law study and
know nothing OF practice and special pleading
embarrassed ny motions and applications such
would he attended at the tnc with less parties
SINCE the cause originally commenced in the superior
court the costs of supersas of orts Of error and ap-
Peas would be avoided Let the penalty of SlOO of bond
less limit the jurisdiction actions of debt permit
the superior courts to have jurisdiction with the
County courts in all actions Of rorr md conoerso denue
dssumps corendnt, &c &C. although the less than
SVo vi the chancey jurisdiction oi the county courts say
nothing IL would do well 10 suffer some
notifications
These subjects grave and vital import Tina, you
Will consider them maarey and act them wisely the talent
and sound sense Of your body ample guaranty confess
that from the profound abilities, unvalen eloquence
sea experience Of the distinguished member from Hcnrco
are persuaded to expect much No present,
State unites and splendid qualifications make
ms services ueiu ana important III the ensuing Legislature
And II augurs auspcousy the of legislation
prcsen, again powers to benefit his country
and win fresh auels the and memorable field of
fame need scarcely say aude to BENJAMIN WATKINS
LEGh who willis, he entitled gratitude Of Eastern
Virginia and stands preeminent uis, has acquired
and else its parallel Excuse his di
eression The subject fell may and tempted
Pln'eni which willingly bes;ow. for ii justly meried
Now is the time "piuck the wizard hoary error
and place the judicial institutions of upon solid
posery and be well their happy
from your hands perfect piece Of knan.hip Then exul
unus ieges Tbgniae Errors in the system exist
injurious and the he tolerated
cause they ancient Errors the same whether yes
crday, of the last century and was n time
when the long standing disease Of system required po
liilca caucry and knife, II is now. REFORNER
FoR VINO.
Mossrs Edtors:-Iiavng few days past, pcrcciv-
cd very able and correct remarks III your paper
recommending the petitioning of the next Legsla-
ture. TO license Billiard Tables, and other games. now
restricted the best means of putting down Faro
ana as tho existing law that subrc' great
Inconvenience, long absence rom business. and much
loss OF time, TO those who compose the diife rent
Grand Jurcs of our Ci,y-will you please 10 admit
Into your paper, this suggestion to the next Grand
Jury. viz: To recommend the law against Gaming
as 1t now stands, and the above mentioned neon
vencnces offending the same to which they sub
ect. 20 the and wise consideration ofho next
General Assembly. Yours, respectfully
a MAN OF BUSINESS.
Tho State Of Ohio is already deriving great adgan.