Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-08-01

tina, this system has done immense good. lie
proved that il has cost the State nothing the
Magisiracy receive no pay except IN contingent
cy the falling Of the Sherffalty to the oldest oil
its member, which Sheriff would be to support,
even if there were no County Court System.
Having gone thus far, Mr. Mostly proceeded
TO review the plans which must be adopted, II
the County Court System be .annhilaed. lie
said that two plans had been thought of, as sub
siitutes for the County Courts. One was TO give
the Magistrates salaries. He presumed that no
one would think of offering 10 a Magistrate less
than $50 annually, yet, said he, the sum oil thr-
" dollars, paid 10 every Magistrate in the State
of Virginia would amour, 10 as much as we pay
yearly for the services of our Judicial and Legs
latiye bodies. 1t was proposed, by others, 10 give
the Magistrates the power 10 charge fees for
each office rendered. The effect Of this would be
that the poor man would be denied justice and
protection, and the corruption of the Maglslra"y
would ensue. In concluding, Mr. Alosby alluded
10 the sci-creatlng feature OF the County Court
System, and proposed as his remedy the incor
porating into the Constitution of provision, al
lowing the Legislature, at any time, when there
shall be complaint. 10 make all regulations, with
respect to the appointment, of the members of this
Court. Mr.. AloSby has sustained himself in this
effort. 1t was full Of the evidence Of ingenuity
and leaning.
As part of The debate, entitled TO special no.
tee, we allude TO The interruption, which MIR.
Mari made during the progress of MIR. Mosby's
speech, and which led Mr.. Mosby to PROFOUND
several interrogatores to Mr.. Mari. Mr.. Mari
had said that he was in favor ofthe election ofaH
The officers, from the Governor down to the Con-
stable by the people. MIR. Mosby produced
list of the public officers Of the State of Virginia,
and asked Mr.. Mari fhe was in favor of the cleo
ton OF all these officers by the people. Mr.. Mari
replied "You know am not Mr.. Mari also
said that he was in favor of taking all appointing
power from the county courts. Mr. Mosbv ask
ed him if he was in favor of appointing the Com.
miSsoners of Election by the people, to which he
answered,no. Now, the Commissioners of Elec-
tons are appointed by the Courts of the Counties
Mr.. Mosby said that, at the last Presidential cleo
tion, they exerted political influence equal to
five per cent of the whole vote. On occasions OF
the election Of the President, they are appointed
by the Governorand on all others by the County
Courts; on these latter occasions, they do not ex-
ert an influence equal 10 that eXerted on the for
mer, but the influence eXeIed is equal TO the
magnitude Of the occasion, upon which II is eX-
ertcd. MIR. Mosby inferred that Mr.. Mari would
have these officers appointed by the Governor
II Mr.. Mari advocates this, he acts in conrads-
tInction to his doctrine Of clccng all the officers
by the people; if he permits the appointing pow
crtoreman vested in the County Courts, he will
prove inefficient in executing his design of with
drawing all appointing power from the County
Courts
We have presented fair view of the discus
sion. We have not written ii as mere partizan
sketch, though as we have narrated the positions,
we have both directly and indirectly, given our
opinions Of their correctness; in 50 doing we are
only exercising our privilege, and do not mean to
reflect upon any gentlemen, who may not think
as we do. We have represented the speeches Of
MeSsrs. Sale and MoSby as superior to that of Mr.
Mari, because truth required it, but we have not
meant to pronounce Mr. Mari either weak or IN
efficient: we know that il is otherwise. We have
presented our history of the discussion, and with
that history our views of the participants and
their opinions We claim for this history truth:
the views which arc intermingled with it may,
by some possibility, cast a shadow upon the truth
IT contains, and, thereby, give it partizan shade.
But the impartial can form, from it. fair opinion;
and the opposite parlizan can be gratfcd, for. no
doubt, another version will be prepared by other
hands. With which, however, we have nothing
to do,and against which we have nothing TO urge,
p MIR. Mosby has been requested to address