Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-06-07
F0r Tie Enqhi
CONVENTION PEEORN

short time prev ous the election published ar
Gle on the subject Of State Convention in which pointed
out some of the many objections present Constitution
and ntimated few of the reforms that it would be desirable
To have engraed in the Constitution. should one b.
formed As anticipated the subject has found favor with
overwhelming majority OF the voters Of this Common
wealth. and Convention be held in obedience their
bchest. And, as observe that the people beginning
riously discuss those reforms and notifications that they
would desire 10 be engraed upon The Constitution,
will add my ray 10 the volume OF light that hope 10
spread over the subject
enumerated Of The many objections which think
the present, county court system but for the want
of time did present any views upon the substitute.
propose take IN that subject where left it, and
anime The different plans that have been suggested The
public mind generally far have heard have
supposed that there but two anlagonsic plans the
present system and election directly by the people of
gislrates will premise that consider any plan preferable
to the present. but but doubt the propey Of elect
Ing the magistrates directly by the people particularly The
Office is 10 be Of short duration.
There be question about the indispensable necess
of the independence Of the judiciary in all of i,s ramiica
;ions the proper administration Of justice Whenever
there is due iunistral OF Justice the people must have
all of the substantial benefits OF liberty. This rule perhaps
admits Of exception. Hence deberaon and circun-
specon should be exercised in changing portion of the
Judiciary. We should not heedessy rush 10 the excan
inc cry of reform without first well considering the effect of
the reforms desired
The work of destruction easy but not 90 of CREATION
An rnoamus could burn down in night the Templc of
Enhesus which had the labor wealth and artistic talent
Of go the architectural pride and wonder
the world So by popular outbreaks may
and sueyngs Of years remodel them upon permanent
basis And upon tearing down and building mp the ounda
ton upon which judicial system should rest should
endeavor 10 have il OF all hndeance TO the purpose
which il created
Can have a sufficient guaranty that the system will be
entirely pure if dependent for lis existence upon the popular
voice. other words if elected By the people short inter
vasl Let examine into H. The great argument favor
the present system is its indepcndence-
There in the argument Why is /, independentl-
Because il does nat have To al all the people for
renewal % its power ESQ perpetua is its distl-
gushing features and the system free from its corrp
,ion in lis creation and for long time after
might be borne with. And in making change we should
suousy endcavor preserve the only merit in the discard
ed sysien and without which system stand the TEST of
experience The question then up with orcen elect
ing the magistrates By the people short tenure Of office s
there rot danger that this vital principle be wanting
Ii feature VI human that has been deplored
BY rhilanthropst ard orais from all time and perhaps ever
will be- without im?rovcmcntihat twill lean To the side of
the strong the prejudice of the weak That in the admin
istraon of law where the contestants NAV have become
angy heated he Sho is dependent upon the parties for the
power and Office held may look sustaining himself
than law and justice and Withhold from the weak that
which right would require should be granted Might not
also the magistrate mpercerby be involved in feelings
in those es and small issues which must always 10 great
less extent attend nil ncghborhnod elections bringing
abundant Of Ell, and but little good in their tranl And
will he no. be mani.esy disqualified perform properly
those duties, for which he elected The subject might
pursued and various other objections suggested but as we
wish 10 be brief, we will proceed
The great object be obtained is independence with
due regard popular responsibility. Let If system