Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-11-03
From, u. Ri,hmond Inquirer.

GENTLE The act nf the last
session of the Legislature of this State.
IN relation 10 Clerks fees. having r,
duced them 81 low as to render th.m
inadequate IN maintain Clerks IN the
way in which. IL officers of courts and
gentlemen. they ought to live. lin truth.
in some counties the clerks are lcT,
without support ard believing III.
Legislature has reduced the fees much
below what it contemplated-at any
rate muca below what thc people them
selves wish-tif ,hcv desired 4 rcduc
ton at all, which 10 no, brlicve> |
propose that the clerks of the several
superior and inferior courts in the
State of Eirgl MA. suggest tn the Judge,
and Justices. the propr,etv and neces-
sity Of their interfering in their behalf.
and requesting the next Legislature ~
revise the law I'm relation tn Clerks
fees. To simplify the fee bill. AMI raise
The fcr so as to give the clerks i JUST.
fair. and liberal allowance for their
services. The Judges and Justices
have correct idea ii the duties and
responsibilities of the clerks. The
courts are aware how much the com.
muui'y would suffer from the incapaci
" Of their otiiccrs-and sensible ms
they mus, be that tho effect of the pre-
sent law will be 10 ri, Offices with in
competent clerks, they will not, 1
think, hesitate tn intercede in their be-
hall. This - not subject in uhicl,
the clerks themselves only are inter.
csted. but IL Is one in winch the whole
community have an important interest.
The records. rights, and titles of eve
~ every individual in the State are
intrusted TO the Clerks Of Courts. -
They. therefore. ought to be. and &c
morally are. men OF honesty. integrity,
and Intelligence. at least, inteilIgen,
officers. Permit the present fees To
rsmain, and YOU will drive from Office
those best qualified 10 perform the du.
ties; tor men who are qualified To per
lnrm the dute, of Clerks OF Courts as
hey ought 10 be. have a, least suiiicien,
talents and Capacity for business Ia
support themselves by sumo other call.
ING or p'ofes-iUn: and # they canno,
live by their Offices (as ,hey cannot
they Will re-ign aud pursue something
else tor support Besides II has ten.
dencv IN drive from office all young
men ut promise, such as NAV hereafter
become valuable and useful officers
TOR the clerks cannot afford to paw
such wages "a will induce them Ia re.
main, nor have they before them any
prospect Of ever being rewarded for
the tronble of qualifying thems selves,
even NJ they hereafter obtain Offices.
~ the fees will not compensate them.
\ know II will be objected that nearly
all Of the old clerks were anxious 10
be re appointed. This is true. MANY,
or all OF them, expected the next lie
gIslature, seeing the great injustice
done the clerks, would revise the law
and increase their Gres-and many of
them having long been engaged IN bu
slness As clerks. were NOT prepared al
once To quita profession 10 which they
had been raised. and embark IN some.
thing new, particularly when thew had
strong hopes upon the justice of the
Legislature. and when they discovered
the people at large disapproved of the
'aw reducing their fees. One sugyes
ton humbly beg leave to make to all
clerks and their friends
avoid all angry discussion in the pub.
lie papers upon the subject. Our cause
does not require any other supper,
than that Of reason and justice. Make
no harsh illusions or severe Te,orts
upon any person who may think pro-
per To oppose Us, We cannot expect
To escape opposition some have alrea
dy committed themselves against US:
a part OF whom are aciuatcd by per-
sonal hostility to some Of US. arising
from disappointment, and others again
by a mistaken, honest conviction that
they arc right. State our grievance
clearly, fslrly, frankly, but temperately
do not fear. The people of Virginia
arc just, nay, they are liberal-their
representatives will speak their voice.
A CLERK
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