Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-07-22

SoNSliut.Cn, cases allsc ih "i.''N
curing legal at Mt ard j, needs nc pfophe' y
lorcsee what advi,, will he given III h'sh f"'s
times. The supposed vo;tr Will Ne mace - VIZ
or Re deferred from voting, pTecneis ~ CO..
ance with the wishes Of his adviser i"e ~
sen, system is The fruitful source OF decepoh' ..
fraud, and Of perjury. And this Is increased
greatly by The practice OF double uiP'e' an' ~
ripple voting, which VIC haze iaten occas'o.' = "
nounce on more occasions Than one. w ""
ought 10 h. allowed 10 exercise such power. Il
gives preponderance 10 wealth, 10 winch : -
entitled II gives 10 cities moi only their own repre-
senta,ion. bu, The power By judciously selecting
closely coDtes ed counties for The seat OF then oPe-
ratons, 10 control and defeat me VIII oilhe peoi''e
OF those coun,ies-lo oyerpower, ana, III ide'' /"
subuea,e Them and Is Obtain an undue repre-
senla,lon, far beyond that intended 10 be gwen
II tends, thereby, 10 foster and encourage nos
tli,y between Town and country, extremely uefi-
mental 10 both. # enliss against The cities isei-
ings and interests calculated 10 cheeh 'hei' grown
and relard their prosperity, and IN luin' 10 ieac,
upon Inc country. and 1ias destroy all hope OF
general improvement. II is the part OF wise
Government, 10 counteraci such tendencies, ana
70 ado,, such system rs viii produce The IT.
most concord ana harmany in all The members,
So that The whole boiY polite may nc preserved
ia sound, healthy and happy condllion.
We do moi desire 10 extend lhis article Deyonu
a reasonable limit. We will, therefore, only
glance al other objections which We have 10 '..f
presen, Constitution, justiiying US, as we think,
in taking sides with those who favor lis amend
ment.
There are defectsin the County Court SYSTEM
worthy olan attempt, at least, 10 cure them we
can see no reason for the continuance OF the ma
sis,raes in office for life. Once magistrate, al
ways magistrate, is the rule, and that, 100
whether he be competent or incompetent, besoted
ertemperate, vicious or vrluous, disposed 10 be
lyrannical, or 100 lenient TO execute or enforce
the laws. There should be some preventive 10
the perpetuation of the power of county
magistrate in the same families or in the same
parties Under the present system, The masis-
trates must be commissioned on the recon-
mendalion of the County CourIs-lhe CON
sequence is the relations and connexions oil
those recommending are loo frequently selected
and no mater what may be The political opinions
and feelings of majority OF the people, The PAL
tizans Of those on the bench will be certainly re-
commended, and every appointment will be MADE
and all The power OF the county will be exerted, 10
sustain that party, RICH, or wrong. We do no.
apply these remarks 10 any particular party
they are applicable TO all parties, in all lime
We could point oul other objections, worthy Of
modification, many of which, no doubt, would
occur 10 The enlightened minds, which Will be Sc
lec,ed, in case Convention be called TO carry
GU, the will OF the people. But we have accom-
plished ior the present The purpose we had in view
Tha, purpose was calmly and dispassiona,ely 10
express freely our sentiments upon The proPriely
Of calling Convention, that all doubt as 10 our
position might be removed and we determined
10 urge briefly some of our objections 10 The pre-
sent Constitution, as an earnest OF The iailh mat
was in us. Our sole aim is 10 promote The wei
fare Of this good old Commonwealth. We hope
vel TO see her in The onward march 10 improve
menl. We hope, her sons will place her once
more on the elevated position she occupied and
whichsbe still deserves 10 occupy and will thereby
render her not only worthy Of their own love and
admiration, bat worthy OF The imitation and emit
la,ion Of all.