The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-06-30
The Mississippi AristOcracy,

10 III HAlSoSS'PPAi NhN ~
from that very cause, there is not a State in
the Union in which the would be exclusives
have been SO rigidly defeated. 1t was perhaps
forlhis State. that the greater por-
ton Of her wealth, in the early settlement Of
the country, centered in one or two counties
upon the Mississlssippi River. These coun-
ties obtained, and for a long time succeeded i n
maintaining the majority Of the Legislature.
Hence orr State policy was strongly tinctured
with their peculiar interests and sectional views
We have seen that the leading men from
that section Of the State, hare eUer opposed pop
ular rights; and have endeavored, on all occa-
sions, to keep tie offices at the disposal Of EcV
men. We observe this party regularly Orga
nized, and endeavoring to curtail the rights and
privileges of the people in the convention
which revised the constitution Of 1882, with
John A Quitmln al their head. We do not
pretend to question. the sincerity Of that gen
tleman, for whom we entertain a high personal
respect; he was doubtless conscientious in
thinking the people incapable Of SELF g~ouernnsent;
but we must be excused from differing with
him and point out what we conceive to be the
errors Of his political creed, and which we shall
endeaver to prove, to be the creed Of his party,
also.
sin the convention, Mr.. Quitman led the
van in opposing our present system of elections
by the people, and was sustained by most OF
those who now constitute the leaders Of the
White party in this State.
A majority Of the committee on the judicial
department, had reported series Of resolutions
proposing nearly our present system Of e%lecting
our judicial officers by the people: from these
resolutions, Mr.. Quitman and his political
friends dissented. He and Gen. Falconer drew
up counter resolutions, embodying their views,
from which we make the following extracts;
80. Resolved that the Circuit Judges should
be, appointed by the Governor, by and with the
advice and consent Of a majority Of the Repre-
sentatives from the counties OF the circuit for
whichhe shall be appointed. In case the ma
jority of such representatives sho uld refuse to
give their advice and consent to three success
i've nominations Of the Governor, he should be
required to present the name Of one individua,
to the Senate, and the Representatives should
select one from them to be commissioned by
the Governor
"13. Resolved, That the Judges of the su.
preme Court and the Chancellor be appointed
by the Governor, by and with the advice anc
consent of the Senate; and the IChancellor
should hold the Office for the term of sz
years." %[signedl JOHN A. QUITMAN
THOS.gP. FALCONEF
lSee Journals of the convention, page $50
"Thus We see that Mr.. Quitman, now the
White: candidate for Congre IS, and Genera
Falconer, one of tn electors for the same par
ty, are both opposed to trusting the people witt
electing the officers of their own government
n y n n "Of these three gentlemen
LQuitman, Falconer, and Keegan, Mr.. Quit.
man was the ableSt and most ACTIVE opposer o
our present system of elections by the people
lie made a speech in the convention of some
t0e or stT hours in length, in support Of hi
own resolutions, and against those reported b,
the majority of the committee. In all these
efforts against the freedom of elections, h,
was seconded by Messrs. Falconer, and K &c
gan, together with his political friends from tn,
West.
"Nor did Mr.. Quitman confne his opposi
ton tosthe popular system to the Judges anc
clerks OF the courts. He also voted for givint
TO the Governor and the house of Representa-
tlves the appointmentof the State Treasu re
and Auditor OF Public Accounts. (Sec J,urn
al, page 990 The appointment OF Secretary o
State was also to be withdrawn from the peo
pie, and conferred upon the Governor. Such
was thepollcy of Mr.. Quitmnn and those who
opposed the rights of the people in the5conyen
ton. = y y
Van effort was also made by Mr. Quitmar
IN Inc convention, to strike that provision from
the constitution, which provides that eacb
county shall always be entitled to at least one
Representative. (see Journal page 8l.1 TIL,
object o.. this move was two fld: First. II,
deprive all such new counties from represen,o
ton, that should be formed after the adont,on
Of the new constitution, till a regular censu,
could be taken, which by the constitution
could not take place oftener than once in fon,
years. Second, to fix the basis of representa-
ton entirely upon population SO asto rive IN,
populous counties on the Mississippi River. /,
great ascendoncy in the Legislature, al leas
for many years. Such were the means b,
which a mcnIed aristOCracy was to be cherish
ed and sustained. in preference to the qrea.
and growing interests of the State.
" Mr.. ouitman's course in relation to the
representation of the 8sw counties has bee,
singular and adrOit. He has watched the sub.