Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-05

appointment in annual succession upon members
of their own body. An act was passed Oh Inc
oath day of February 1871 TO arrest TINS ms.
chevous practice, butt is practically defeated
by the appointment Of some member oil Inc Ia
mily of the justice who by rotation would nave
received il but for the provisions OF This law
This court exercises over each OF these ohcers,
10 some respects, an official supervision, anu
MAY be called upon TO act against both judicial
". Can il be expected that it will firmly and
imparlially administer justice against officers
with whom The members of the court must ne
cessarily, and it may be in short time, change
places? The most upright men, unconsciously
10 themselves, may be affected in their opinions
BY the unseen sympathes VIII oh VIII assuredly
arise from such relations. BY act passed April
2, 1881, il is provided that this court shall ap
point commissioners Of election for their coun-
ty: practically, this is an important political
power, and is cxerted almost invariably FOR the
advancement! of party ends. ard tends necessa-
rily to impair their character for justice and
impartialily in the mind of large portion of
the people.
In this brief review of some Of the powers of
this important court, you cannot fail TO see that
no other similar tribunal has ever been entrust-
ed with such a mass of delicate and important
powers, so we'll calculated to impair its just
value as court of justice; and therefore hope
that you will concur with me in the necessity
of its reformation.
In aid of this design, | respectfully suggest the
passage of a law providing that me several coun-
ties OF the State shall be divided into districts,
each containing from one 10 Two thousand inha-
bilants; that justice OF the peace be appointed
for each district, VINO sha reside therein; that
the justice OF such district shall hold therefor, al
some central point, monthly court, thnt three
justices shall Or competen, 10 form the county
couu; that the justices shall b. required 10 hold
the county court in prescribed rotation; that all
future nominations BY the couu shall be 10 fill
vacancies as they Occur; that the justices shall
be incapable Of holding The shrievaiy; that they
shall each receive one hundred and fifty dollars
for their services per year, payable out oil the
county levy; hat they shall farm out The shTleyal-
", The proceeds Of which shall constitute part OF
the county revenue; that each justice in his dis
trici, which shall be an election precinct, shall
be CT oeio sole commissioner OF election lherein;
and that the county court shall appoint consta-
BILE for each district, who shall within such
bounds eL ofeio perform The present election du-
lies OF the sheriff, and The duties also OF the COM
missioner Of the revenue. BY this system the
Justice and his constable, III. officers conducting
all elections, would necessarily know every per-
son within their district, and consequently could
project The ballot box againS fraud; particularly
il each voter were required o vote in The district
in which he possessed the right ui suffrage. By
it, no subject o. taxation could escape The eye Of
the commissioned, and our income would be in.
creased; and, lastly, BY 1.-THE county court would
be stripped Of those powers which affect lis I'M
partially and shake il in the public confidence.
Nor is here any difficulty il the way Of carry.
ing oul This impor ant reform IN the tenure By
which The justices hold Their cace. A reference
70 The common Law, 10 our colonial legislation,
and 10 the first section OF The fifth article OF our
Constitution, will satisfy, an persuaded every
person that our Justices hold heir offices al will.
But apprehend Nc slliculIy rom this question.
| entertain too high an opinion OF the patriotism
OF our justices TO telieve that hey will interfere
10 ares, reforms demanded by he best interest Of
the country. Besides, some OF those now in CON-
mission will no doubt be selected for the import
AMI duties contemplated in lhesl 81 egesions, thus
providing il is highly probable, for all those who
have been distinguished Tor Ion, and unreQuited
service.
These county districts might also be adopted
as school district. ali the bounds oil one or more
militia companies creating comprehensive and
harmonious system providing ior the interests
and securing the convenience Of the people in All
unusual degree. In TACT This scheme OF districts
is, in principle, nothing but the township sysem
OF many oil our sister Stales nothing but the ward
system ii The iliusuious Jefferson; nothing but the
hundred system OF the great Alfred. II is a sYs-
tenn sanctioned and approvedby ancient and mo
dern experience: which can with great conf
desce recommend 10 your favorable considera-
ton.
Nothing is more necessary 20 the administra-
lion OF justice by justices Q: the peace, than
book OF forms adapted 10 the existing condition Of
our civil and criminal law. The want OF such
book is extensively and seriously felt, and will,
hope, receive your early attention.
The law OF bail as il now sands. is frequently
productive OF great oppression Il gives one who
holds the obligation OF another whether due or
MT, the power, by his own vii, 10 hold The pre-
sumplive debtor 10 BAIL and to impri>on him il
unable 10 give il. II is a power Inconsistent with
the humane and enlightened spirit Of the age, de
roga,ory OF the rights VI personal liberty, and
wholly unnecessary 10 The ends OF justice | re-
commend that the law OF ball. Is now applicable
10 open accounts, be made general superseding
thereby the law as it now STANDS in relation 10
bonds notes, &c
The State owns several small pieces OF real
property, Of no pub ic use Whatever, which are
suiJtIl " II'lHtul utVItbdtIDl, dHd DIE bdHJ III
minshing in value. advise the passage OF A
law directing them 10 be sold.
herewith communicate the various reports in
relation 10 The Pententiary. They should re-
ceiye The most careful consideration. The Pc
nitentiary Agent paid into Inc treasury SIC, 500
during The past fiscal year, 80 900 during the
year preceding, and "a 200 in the years I545 and
1876. On The first day OF October, lS45, the ba-
lance in his hands was S40,5s9 49, on the frs
day Of October LAST, il was only S3l DIG 35 81
that nearly one moiey of The payments Of the
last tour years has been al the expense OF CAPT
tai; and II is obvious, thai the haIterins con-
ciuson 81 the worthy agent IS altogether ialla.
cious. The report Of the superintendent is equal
ly Gelusiye, 10 resnl. Notwithstanding the an
nual investment in "permanen improvements; |"
amounting IN ionr years 10 about 1869 dollars
which are intended 10 af)ri increased iaci.
lilies for manufacturing operations; nulwilhstand
ing he large capIal emp!oyet IN this inslitu
iiun; an Notwithstanding We are habnally noli-
ned, IN In annua! report, OF hs officer OF is IN
c!casiig prosperity, the tact Is undenable, thai
the pcaI;enliaty is an annual charge upon III,
treasury. Now, hos aud Why is thisl The r.
sui has always exi.t.d under every aiminislra-
ton. II involves no character, Is Tar rs am in
formed, and must, therefore, b. question Of sy>-
tenn or management, or both In this stat. of
things again recommend that one or more, or
all, Of The shops be rented oul. This policy has
been adopted in many OF The State, with dcci-
led success, and is no experiment. But if this
policy be Unacceptable, then advise that no fur
Their payment Of any kind be made al the lreasu-
~ on account OF this institution, bu. that il b. re-
CURED 10 pay all charges, Of every description.
preserving AT the same time its capital from dimi
mutton. Such policy would have no doub i,
protcce very valuable reforms; ii would, al leas,
protect the treasury, am sure, from future claims
on this account.
BY the peniteniary report, we also learn, that
on The frs dav Of October last there were in the
penentiary lI9 white, and 81 negro convicts; the
white population contributing about Is for each
100000 persons, and The free negroes contributing
from similar numbers Of their own race, about
l6o persons, TO The penilenliary; proving that he
lice negro perpelfates a! least ten times as much
crime in proportion To numbers asthe white man.
This statement, verified by our legislation, pre-
sehis such picture Of The moral degradation Of
our free negro populations as is we'll calculate 10
excite The sympathy OF the phiantnropis'. With