Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-07-11
JOHN WILLS.
Tothe voters of the Counties OF Campbell nm
-1.4 bedford.

FELLOW CITIZENS; As am ono of The Candidates 10
'eP"se IN part Tho district composed Of hese two coun
ucs N the Convention which is 10 assemble IN Rich.
nond next Ocober, To revise aud amend the exjsnn
Constitution Of this Commonwealth ponlioty r.auiIes
Thai should make known 10 You the leading views and
opinions which will govern my The event of my
election.
am in favor "a thorough Constitutional reform.
""tt ain opp SGD 10 nnvaiion. Inc Constitution should
pe amended, not destroyed. Charge fl the sake Of
cnanse 4, at best, an experiment As general rule it
iesui's IN mischief and s always the characteristic OF
tyranny. Constitution mpoIts compact NY which
pAu",'c, enlightened. and neciing republicans Impose
restraints upon themselves as well 10 enable Them f.
crush the open assaults OF the powerful upon their
sho hoei'its as % se the insidous designs # the
oe'working demagoaue upan public virtue. The forms
" "Popl'esnism may esis III time in state In which
The pooPle have thrown oil all necessary restrain s, but
civ,i liberty cannot Whilst know of no abuses too
'ot"cIaole 10 he borne under present SYSTEM which
eau Justly DO Traced 10 constitutional def cts yet there
se evils, obvious 10 all and felt by thousands admitting
Of no constitutional remedy. Bot Dies il follow thai
we should abolish the whue system. because, like all
things human, il has de'ecis1 Would il mol be wiser TO
alter and amend. than utterly destroy tl Under the
nope and belief that majority OF the people in this dis
tfca dfsire nothing beyond REFORM will proceed brief.
~ 10 present an outline of my views ON the subject
am In favor Of the exien of the right of suape 10
ell adult white male ciiizfns ofihe Commonwealth and
restricting The exercise OF ii 10 The County in which the
v.teI resides.
v,
no person should be elected appointed to any office
whstever by the Legislature.
HE Gpvernor and Lieuienan, Governor should be
elected by the qualified If the Commonwealth
lhe executive Council shonld be alb hished
p he experience OF mankind has shown that no free
government can long exis, without efficient pure and
eaaependeni Judiciary. 1t is therefore important thai
'nee should be some practicable of removing from
once such judges as naturally incompetent OF have
become 90 by reason II Old age, disease habits OF n,em
perance, or otherwise
HOW this desirable end can be attained withou, affect
ing their Independence has puzzled wiser men than are
likely to be in the approaching conveniion Any par
'hst SECURES these indispensable oecis will meet my con
cu'renee and receive my cprdia support Under all the
embarrassmenls which surround this diff ult subject,
ON At present in favor Of judiciary elective by The pro
P'etrs definite number Of years, and the judges to be
after the expiration Of thpr respective terms
Ne'ther ~ member Of the Convention, nor ms a pri
vse citizen, would consent ~ have any hand direc l.
Indirectly, in aboshng the present jurisdiction Of thu
Ona'y Cnurfs After years Of observation and mucl
snxcs renecsion, am wholly unable to conceive Of am
suitable substitute for this peculiarly Vieinan system
u 49, been the wonder and admiration Of the wise an,
gd tssiwo centuries. The Office VI Judge of the COUNT
Cfmn. With an annual stipend wrung from the need,
Though the farm OF the sheIally OF raised from othe