Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-22
FOR THE EyNIQLIRER.
no THE LEGISLATURE OE XIRGINLA

Conference.-The County Courts of this Commonwealth
from the foundation OF the Government, has been conl-
cred as me most useful well the beautiful fa-
rc IN our Judiciary system: but that there has been LAT
terly great falling off, both in their usefulness as well
as their responsibility, what will he denied by any
attentive observer and the that has produced this
amcntabc effect, is what the writer of this wishes to bring
10 Inc attention OF the Legislature. Its believed that the
pnclPa IL not the sole cause that has produced this evil
il the too great number of Magistrates now in commission
in the greater part If not in all the counties in the State
one of the fatal consequences of which is that the o0io f
Justice oil The Peace has now become common that men
the best qualified for the Office will accept of seat on
The bench OF our County Courts This has thrown the ma
gsacy IN great many instances into hands utterly dis
qaacd TO discharge the important duties attached that
Office, that the County Courts have not only lost in
very great degree their usefulness but also
nh'y' or how little respect will be paid by such am en-
ghcned people as the Virginians, when they see amono
'her numbers men who have failed TO pay their debts
Or men in the daily habit of intempcrancc &c?
Another very great evil that attends great number
OF magistrates, is that il mpedes the administration of ms
nee he Old aaSe, that what is every bodys business
Is nobody is true in this See how much slower
business Is now done in the County Courts, than when
there was not hall as magistrates as there NOW i
Again; what Is now done, is much uncertain than
ioncry-or what one set OF magistrates does i'm the be-
ginning OF the session, another unocs in the latter pa
of the session. -
Another evil is, that incurs very great expcnsc for
the Government has to furnish all the magistrates with
certain books, documents, Sc There another evil hat
tits believed proceeds from the cause and one at
loudly calls Tor REFORM IL will be remembered that the
only responsibility the Board of Ovcrsccrs of the Poor arc
under, is the County Courts; and the courts where he neo
PIE m 10 eject the Overscer, 10 make the appointment
aud IN exercising this power the generally appoint
one OF their own body, that the character Magistrate
ara 0verseer oil the Poor concentrates in the same
he overseers OF the Poor therefore fact acconta
Die 10 none but themselves for their conduct and this
go TO account for the great misconduct under our moor
laws; lor 1t believed, that the people of Virginia nav
more orthc maintenance of their poor than any other
state IN the Union according the white population and
mat Their poor are worse maintained. We pay some
wherc about 100000 per annum for the maintenance of
our poor, and let ask, any thing like that sum be
necessary or tie support OF the real objects of charity in
such country ours Make yourselves acquainted with
idcts and you will find that the Oversecrs of the Poor
fay leave The money in their hands for the papcrs
III their districts they draw the money from the Sheriff
and charge what they please for the corn meat and cloth
ing furnished the poor and have TO account to none hui
themselves will here venture TO suggest to the Icais
laturc as cure for this evil the entire adjustment of The
BOARD o. Ovcrscers OF the Poor and let the County Court
Judge OF the objects and fix the allowance for their support
ana iet The Pauper or their agent draw the money from the
sheriff. and let the Sheriff settle with the CLERK of hc
COURT ana let the court pass upon The settlement would
peg leavc further TO suggest to the Legislature 10
poron inc number OF magistrates according the popuIa
on oil The counties, and let the Executive commission no
more unhl the Number dwindes down the number fix
ed by law have only dropped hnts-the wisdom of The
Legislature will make the improvement.