Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-09-04

/ representation 10 the Senate oil the United
States. If members of Congress were
elected by general ticket as was once the
case, and is yet the case 10 some Of the
/ States, each citizen entitled to a vote
would have an equal influence in the
choice ofRepresenta:ives in Congress, but
1 by the amended constitution of Virginia.
the provision of the federal constitution
which was designed for the phoLe State,
is made TO apply to each Congressional
| District; so tina, Eastern Virginia with
less than a majority Of the free white 20
pusnon Of the State, has nine Repressn-
tatives in Congress out Of fifteen, and in
fact hiss three representatives, by reason
OF her slaves, more than she is entitled TO.
1 To this position we also give assent, because
we think it manifestIy and pslpably "unjust and
unequal and against the meaning and spirit of the
| Constitution Of the United States"
/ Sd. That il is expedent TO alter the Constitu-
tion so as TO render the Governor elective by the
| people, and that the Executive Council be abol.
shed.
To this position We also sssent--but should have
liked it better had expression been made in fs-
YOUR Of eleeting Lieutenant Governor, whose
duty it should be to preside over the Senate--and
in Of the death, resignation or other disability
OF the Governor elect, perform the duties Of the
Chief Executive the State. The reasons given
for these changes by the Harrison meeting, are, TO
our mind. conclusive, and il seems to should
meet with appreciation throughout the State.
4th, That the mode of appointment of Justices
OF the Peace should be changed so as to render
them more directly responsible 10 The people, and
that their power and duties be limited and defined
To this position of the Harrison meeting, as at
present advised, we are opposed in toto. IL we
derstand their resolution, they wish to submit the
election OF Justices of the peace to the people,
and il so, we raise our humble voice egsns; ii; and
we hesitate to say that we had better suffer all
of the manifold evils incorporated in the present
Constitution, than to introduce any such reform in.
to the State as will throw any portion ofthe Js-
dietary System, il matters not bow humble its po-
sition may be, into the turmoil intrigue, and
citement Of politics. We cannot imrna CINE
detestable feature in any Constitution than that
which subjects the ministers of Law and Justice
to the whims and csprices-the resentments and
rewards--of political parties Look at the oondi-
ton of things in States where the Officers of the
Law submitted to the decision of popular cleo
tons, and contrast them with own. Asagen
eral thing, the Virginia Justices far superior
any similar body of mea in the United States. We
are not in favor of the County Court system, as it
is exactly constituted in Virginia, and there
changes which we should like to see made in the
system, but which have not time or space to
contemplate this week. But we do not consider
the for the defects Of the system lie in the
election Of Justices Of the Peace by the People.
We hope the people Of Virginia will never sanction
the ENGRAVING of any such doctrine their instu
tons. Judges, Justices of the Peace, and all Min
s,erial Officers should be independent Of the infu-
ences Of the favor or rewards of politics, if il be
desirable that full and ample justice be melted out
10 all. A moments reflection ought to convince
any candid mind of the truth and soundness of this
position. We shall take occasion before long 10
offer such objections we have to the County Court
System, but in the mean time, we heartily
subscribe to these doctrines of the Harrison NEE
ting to witt
The power to impose taxes upon the
people, can rightSu'ly only exist in the
Legislative branch of the Government,
by the consent of The people through
their Representatives, yet the power is
given By lao to the respective county
courts, of no. only imposing tax upon the
people, but OF appropriatIng the tax prac.
ticallv at their pleasure, and this tax is in
its nature, unequal, odious and unjust,
and often oppressive; it is capitaton tax,
and we hold tina. all taxes ought to be i'm.
posed upon the citizens with regard to
the benefits they respectively receive
from the Government, that the citizen
who has large property 10 be protected,
should pay tax in proportion TO the a
mount Of protection he receives, and it is
unjust and unequal that the poor man
should pay the same amount of tax, that
the man of wealth ought to pay, and yet
the system of taxation that prevails IN the
county courts, compels the man who la.
bors for daily bread, to pay the same a.
mount of tax tina, the rich man pays, and
which tax is designed mainly TO enhance
the value OF the rich mans property.
5th. That the existing Constitution
ought to be so amended, as to extend
the right of suffrage TO all adult male
free white and native born citizens, and |
to oil other adult male free white per-
sons, citizens of the United States, who |
have resided liz the State year, and
have rendered themselves amenable to the
laws aud subject TO the burdens OF citizens
of the State.
This position occupies the true ground. 1t is
idle mockery to speak of Republican fern of Go
vernment which does not recognise the right and
exercise of the elective franchise oy the people
set forth above. The Constitution of the United
States recognises the people as the legitimate
source Of all power, and yet Virginia, who boasts
and brsgs OF her Republication, and calls upon
all other States to follow in her footsteps denies
this right TO the people, and debars all who have
not real property from its exercise. This is the
organic law of Virginia, but yet under this model
of Repubhcsnsm, tar bill can reduce the land