Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-11-11
From the Richmond Enquirer.
To THE CLERKS OF Courts IN V1ReIN1

o HECLERKs OF COURTS IN V IRGINIA.
Gentlemen The Act of the last ses-
sion OF the Legislature of the State, in
relation to Clerks fees, having reduced
them so low as to render them made
quate to maintain Clerks in the way in
which, as officers of courts and gentle
men, they ought to live, lin truth in some
counties the clerks are left without sup
port,) and believing the Legislature has
| reduced the fees much below what it
contemplated-at any rate much below
what the people themselves wished-(if
they desired a reduction at all, which ]
do not believe, } l propose that the clerks
! of the several superior and inferior courts
in the State of Virginia, suggest to the
Judges and Justices, the propriety and
necessity of their interfering in their be-
half, and requesting the next Legisla-
ture TO revise the law in relation to
Clerks fees, to simplify the fee bill and
raise the fees so as to give to the clerks
just, fair and liberal allowance for their
services. The Judges and Justices have
a correct idea of the duties and reSpon-
| sibilities of the clerks. The courts are
aware how much the community would
suffer from the incapacity Of their officers
and sensible as they must be that the
effect of the present law will be to fill
offices with incompetent clerks, they
will not, think, hesitate to intercede
in their behalf. This is not a subject
in which the clerks themselves only are
interested, but it is one in which the
whole community have an important in,
terest. The records, rights and titles of
every individual in the State are intrust-
ed to the Clerks of Courts. They there
fore, ought to be, and generally are,
men of honesty, integrity, and intelH-
gence, at least, intelligent officers. Per
NIT the present fees to remain, and you
will drive from Office those best qualif-
ed to perform the duties; for men who
are qualified to perform the duties of
Clerks ofCourts as they ought to be, have
at least sufficient talents and capacity for
business to support themselves by some
other calling or profession and if they
cannot live by their offices las they can
not they will resign and pursue some
thing else for their support. Besides id
has tendency to drive from the officel
all the young men of promise, such as
may hereafter become valuable and use
full officers-for the clerks cannot afford
to pay such wages as will induce them
to remain, nor have they before them a.
ny prospect of ever being rewarded for
the trouble of qualifying themselves, e4
ven ifthey hereafter obtain offices, AS
the fees will not compensate them. II
know it will be objected that nearly all
of the old clerks were anxious to be re-
appointed. This is true Many, or all
OF them, expected the next LegislatureI
seeing the great injustice done the clerks,
would revise the law and increase Their
tees-and many of them having long
been engaged in business as clerks, were
not prepared at once to quit profession
to which they had been raised, and en-
bark in something new, particularly
when they had strong hopes upon the
Justice of the Legislature, and whenthev
discovered the people at large disapprov,
ed OF the law reducing their fees One
suggestion l humbly beg leave to make
to all clerks and their fiends-cautious
~ avoid all angry discussion in the pub.
lie papers upon the subject. Our cause
does not require any other support than
that of reason and justice. Make no
harsh illusions or severe retorts upon a.
ny person who may think proper to OPP
pose u.s. We cannot escape opposition
some have already committed themselves
against US: part of whom are actuated
by personal hostility to some of us, a.
rising from disappointment. and others
again by a mistaken honest conviction
that they are right.-State our grievan
ces clearly, fairly, frankly, but temper
atel y-Do not fear. The peopl, of Vir-
ginia are just, nay, they are libefal, their
representatives, will speak their voice.
A CLERK OF A COUNTY IND
CIRCUIT SUPERIOR COURT.