Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-08-14
RICHMOND, VA.
,ouday Morning. August 10. 1919.
TnE INSPECTION LAWS.

,,.,ion, from the iacl, mat during the cons'ue's
IN, Of - ,3enate's amendment on Saturday,
3 4h instant, the leaders OF the Wing party
ID unblushing boldness, avowed the reasons
I their opposition 10 placing The appoin'''g
s ,ser fully and unrestricted in the hands oil the
Il ,sutiye. The tact became manifest, during
r,,emarks Of Mr. Scott, that The united oppo'
IN of the Wings to the SenaIe's amendment
-, from their wel.known objections to vesling
.,srvative and protective powers in the hands
"a. Executive branch OF either State or Fede-
: 4. governments.
The propriety ofmaking the issue a party one,
: =, n. success of their efforts party triumph,
:. =. Wings, al once rendered the comparative
= ppiuportanl question. with regard 10 The To-
.,.,ioa laws, one OF the very first dignity TO The
n,nocralic parry. We sincerely deplored the
;,,Suc,ion OF question Of Federal politics into
:, ,;,russiou Of our Civil Code. We believe
latin The earlier stages of the discussion, the
n. n,cra!s did no, desire 10 make The "Ons.m
.rr." as The constitutional powers OF the Exc
,,;,s have been absurdly termed by the Federal
aS SuoleCtoi ueodte.
81, The poin, was distinctly made, that the
.urn!asm y inspeelors BY the Erseu1re
,I.,d power in the hands Of thai branch Of the
,,.r-nnsnt t, ar!ah the Ways, from dishonest
,.ia. hare made the mos. violent and taetious
.,,siOn. Throughout the whole consideration
,i,s Criminal Ctd., the iac' has been apparent,
..ute Wings, with strange unanimity, have
,r;v,D 10 Mace powers in The hands OF the Coun.
), and Corporation Courts even al The hazard
!: Stripping the Executive of its powers, and
.,,,,;og il 10 the condition Of mere nominal
nTsT.
When we consider the immense power placed
j,.,s hands OF the County Courts, we may ven
,us 10 express our resre. that The Democrats
vrs no, always willing 10 check the efforts OF
' wig members 10 give bodies, irresponsible 10
. se people, the strength TO override and rample
r,sr their feet the Executive and Legislative
1 p,ssrs OF The Stale. |! is the settled policy OF
he Democratic party, 10 place but Limited
powers, and they subjecl to The right Of appeal 10
me hands of men who are not elected to office by
be psople-who are no! responsible for corrupt
and raaial acis-and who, exercising the
rover, OF appointment. thus perpe'uaie dynasty
n o,pressors. The voice OF the great Jeffer-
op. a, time of peril 10 our party, was raised
! Ia opposi ion to the influence OF County courts
vb,h after federalism had sustained almost
..a,a.bloW from the people, sill, BY the power
Of elsc,irg their successors, attempted 10 keep
The c.ous principles OF that party alive, ana 10
cop.r.l and pu, down the Democratic parry.
The greater the powers for political int uencs
placed in the hands of wealthy and irresponsible
men, The more imminent tho danger to the party
rsp.s,sa.iug The plain and substantial yeomanry
of,hs land. Whatever Wing members of the
legislature may have said about the powers Of
L.: Executive of Virginia, however loudly they
Eay decaim agaiEst the influence OF one man,
,hsy cannot conceal the fact, that from all Sec
lion, Of the country complaints have been heard
with regard to the Partially aud injustice Of
Coualy Courts, composed of violent ultra
Wigs /, is not denied that, in the appoint
Len! of Commissioners aud other officers, efforts
10 secure political ends have been repeatedly
made by County Courts. Composed as they are
ii men with aspirations for political promotion,
paced in a situation to procure friends BY pro
noaos party schemes, the temptation is too
S'Ng for many Of those who, in the adminisira.
loo Of Justice in legal actions, would he trust
ssr,ty and impartial men.
The desire 10 exhibited in every part Of our
Constitution, whether State or Federal, TO go
psrae the politician from The judge, TO prevent
b. wearer Of The spoiless ermine from treading
% the mud Of the political world. Thus public
o,nion is agsins. the judge of Circuit, Superior
aAppelative Courts who Continues, after as
Hning The ermine, to be an active Politician
We forget that it is equally Objectionable in that
Magistrates, who compose one Of the most pow
.iu bodies in the State. II has therefore been al
ways the desire the Democratic party to place,
nfar as possible, the appointing power in the
lands Of the Executive.
The Governor ia elected by the representatives
ofhs people. He owes his official existence to
lie exercise of the noblest privilege of the citi
len, the right of suffrage, and is eminently re-.
sensible for hi, acts to them. His short term
;fOiice will always proven, any danger from
in. The dignity Of his position prevents him
fs'pelra,ipg those petty political offences some.
lines attributed 10 Wing magistrates. Expe.
fence has taught US that the appointments Of
lie Governor and Council have generally been
just and proper, and that whore the contrary has
teen asserted it has generally been disproved.
Tni, was the case during the term Of Governor
Smith.
Why do The Wings object to placing power in
The hatd, of the Executive, and urge upon
Democrats sAnecessity OF giving so much
rC~.r TO county ard corporation courts} The
explanation is simple, however they may at
Tempt by sophisuy ard hypocrisy 10 con-
zeal il. However patriotic they may pro.
.ss 10 b., aud indignant about the power o.
ne Executive, the dishonest and corrupt motive
eau still be detected. The unconstitutional, aris-
cratic and uni sl measures OF the Wings, in the
ssisla,ive branches Of the government, have al
says been checked by The Executive. Like ial'
Isn angels, striving to regain place and power
hey we're cut DIVA by the sword OF the EIecu
live. Their Tariff, Bank and Distribution Bills,
have fallen, successfully, before the conservative
power. The parlzans OF the Wing parry in
the House OF Delegates, thus have exhibited a
sort Of instructive adherence Of an honest, and
powerful for good purposes, Executive power
Throughout the e=ra session, this feeling has
been mtd. manifest in the repeated efforts TO re.
move The appointing and pardoning power ON
The hands OF the Executive. The Wings know
from experience, that they arc more powerful
10 county ami corporation courts, Than any
where else. F'dHal County Courts are found in
Democratic counties. Wherever the people a, the
balo'-box have encountered Federalism. i, has
fallen. Boz, uncontrolled ly popular sentiment,
With powers OF elections among themselves the
members Of county courts still, in some paris Of
the Slate, strive 10 check the progress Of The De.
mocratic party. We have, therefore, with dine