Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-22
ITO the VOte3's Of AUGUSTA.

ITO the Voters Of AUGUSTA.
FELLOW C1T1zENs:-I appear before you, at
the request Of number of my friends, as Cand-
date for seat in the next Legislature OF Virginia.
hope it will not be thought presumption, in an
american Mechanic, 10 offer for seat in that hon
orable body. That it may look ambitious, am
Tree TO admit; but you Know that man without
ambition is perfect representation of Lots wife
do hope, however. that tl.ele are no such rrrlu
dices in this good old Couhty, existed III
England and Russia. In the former they had an
utter hatred TO butchers and the Emperor Of the
latter, being on visit to London, and observing
great many gentlemen going in and out OF Temple
Bar, inquired who they We're, and being informed
that they were Lawyers dryy obsers ed, that he
had but two IN all his dominions, and that he in
tended to hang one of them soon as he got home
Taking it for granted, that here we all enjoy e.
qualrghts, L shall now proceed. A good number
OF the voters oil Old Augusta have requested Inc to
be their standard bearer, on the present OCCASION
and both do, and ought to be proud to bear the
has' ina, presents the inspiring inscription Of ''tha
same old COON" So you may know am a good
wing and true: Much and is said in the present
canvass, about Reform YOU may therefore expect
and have right to know my opinions on the lead
ing topics now SO freely discussed among YOU
FIRST then. am in taver Of a Convention, though
census OF 1850 been first taken But as Eastern
virginia goes for giving us political power, very
spalingly, | suppose we had better take it; like
Lawyers going 10 Heaven, by degrees; hoping in
time to get all we ought to have. / hold the doc
rine, that all power is of right vested in the people
ard therefore they should elect all their Rulers and
Oicers-and that too for such limited times as they
may Judge best. doubt not but they win make
good selections as log rolling partizan Letis-
ture would. With all my heart, so for biennial
sessions of the Legislature. AS a further induce
ment 10 diligence and faithfulness in our Ieoisla.
tors, after session had lasted sixty days, Would
restrict their pay one-half. In Georgia they have
adopted that plan and it works well. Our County
Court system might, think be substituted by a
much better one. One Of the candidates thinks it
only rcquirs some modiflcations-I believe maois
should be compensated for their services and ther,
their duties would be promptly performed How
dscoulaging TO ride hopes horse thirty wears and
at last get nothing. Another magistrate who may
have rendered little SERVICE reaches the office Of
High Sheriff, and realizes an ample CONDENSATION.
Fellow Citizens shall go for extending the iuris.
dcion Of Magistrates. to an extent, that the pock-
cts Of OF the candidates will not PERHAPS LET
them go Would il not be better for both debtor
and creditor had the magistrates jurisdiction TO $50,
at least? Look at the inconvenience Of riding Is
OF 20 miles to settle small amount that miuht
have been satisfactorily adjusted near home. But
the reason is obvious.-We are mostly represented
by men whose interest is all on tie other side
The pocket never is so sensitive AID powerful that
when the peoples interest happens TO aias with
that oEthe Legislator, all Of sudden, ne is speech
less.
Again. am in favor Of jurors being timely sem
moned and reasonably paid for their services How
notifying to see country citizens sneakng out of
Staunon While Coult is in session and if the Sher-
iii happens TO catch one Of them, he must either
tell one OF Mrs. Opliianis white lies, or such an
one as cost Annanias his life or be subjected 10 a
"cXatious Inconvenience. Where is the Justice of
the peaceable industrious citizen being Diet lined from
his family and business, to settle quarrel between
two men, without any remuneration, whose char
acters are so bad as not to be worth the powder that
would blow their heads off we NAV believe the
gentlemen at the bar-( and who would be guilty
Of so awful crime as TO doubt Lawyers word
would extend the right OF suffrage to all male
white citizens n years OF age not disqualified by
crime, who have resided twelve months in the
State, and six months i'll the County in which they
Offer to vote. and have paid all State dues. Strange
that Virginia the n.oher of States and Presidents
and host Of distinguished he roes and statesmen
should so long have Wl,hhem the right of suffrage
from that very class OF citizens who are her defend
ers. For as Sir John Faistaf remarks, sswhen
Country is in danger a poor mans blood and bones
always the stock in trade The distinguished
Thomas Jefferson, in the National Declaration of
Independence says, that all are born free and
equal-but in his native State the rich is political
ly the poor mans guardian 10 llustrate-soIne
years ago an lrshlnan disinounted on his donkey
and making polite bow to her, remarked, Faith
| am your representative, and will be after vot-
Ing for YOU"
Such are my views in relation to reform. 1t
would have seen very gratifying to me had l
oyed the pleasure OF visiting the several precincts
in the County, with the other Candidates, and thus
had an opportunity Of making known my views in
full and at large, on every subject ofnterest to the
people in the present canvass OF this, however
my private business did not admit nowithstand-
ing may possibly meet those gentlemen yet at
some points before they get round. 1t remains for
the voters to say who shall represent them in the
next Legislature. Should it be their pleasure to
select me, Gan humble mechanic as an,) as one
Of that number, promise them, that will 10 the
best Of my ability, faithfully discharge the high and
responsible duties confided TO by their generous
confidence. But should it be their pleasure to be-
stow THEN suhrages en- others, as true Republican,
shall cheenuily acquiesce in their decision.
RURERr M EIRTH ~