Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-31


narno the independence of the Judge because there will be
those who need stimulus and this furnishes the most GER
tain means Of arousing them to activity and usenlness
The great difficulty is to make II sale as we'll as pow
ernl remedy. 49,
would not do to expose the Judge to the direct power and
influence of those over whom he prescss where many
causes exist to inmidate seduce and Iead MIN asray
think is apparent that it is essential % @ h1rpness,
order and good government that the pe0pe SIouo fepse
confidence in their judicial tribunals, and that ms cont
dence cannot be established where the Judge ng nave
an interest win conciae man. or one iamy' OF
one faction rather than another where ne might W III
duced to look public sentiment or public prejudice as
Guide for his decisions But without further reference 10
these deeleous moral influences the Judges and the
neooe there is too much believe that in canvass
G re- election the Judge would labor under Disadvantages
which would preclude the probability VI his success And
if This were true in vain would expect competent
wver o abandon his practice and clients with the remote
of remaining them after he had been expelled from
the BENCH and eight years after he had quit Inc
bar The Judge is not in situation 10 make renos by
the discharge Of his official Duty and he must often give
offence If he decides navor of party, the party
is very apt to think he could not have decided Otherwise
and is therefore under no obligations to him or sheer JUS
tce so little are capable of thinking rightly or temper
atey in our own cases. the party soey offended because
he does not get all he claims But how is it with his ad-
bui that the Judge either Incompetent or corrp and III
either event he feels fully justified in struggling to defeat
him before the people. Thus far the Judge has mace enc
mics in abundance but no friends One positive enemy VINO
has felt himself aggreved, would do him more injury han
would be couneracied by dozen ordinary irends VINO Se
nothing in him 10 5Iame Throw into the opposite scale
an opponen who has been shaping his Conduct with ieler
encs 10 the Judgeshp, who has made no enemies, ana
whose friends listen with compacency = as nany eha'ges
s can be- brought against the Judge and would give Dat
little for the Judges prospects.
need not say to any candid and intelligent mind, that
the people often mised and deceived by the nsdlous
arts the cauuniaor and the denagogue and though they
are ant TO come right at last in the case OF Judge would
he when the mischief could not be repaired and his know
edge of that fact would prompt him 10 guard against by
shifting eernaly for the popular gale and securing the Ia
vor of strong and influential men, instead Oh consuming Inc
dictates Of sound mind and an honest heart am sats
ge for these reasons that reflections by the people wouu
G he either safe or expedient If enures could be
,doped at all it would have to be through lie meoiuh Vi
the episaure by requiring the Judge al the end Oh every
term TO surrender his commission into tner hands ana d.
lowing them without any formal trial or impeachment 10
continue him or his general reputation, and suc III
Graton as they might gel from the reports or the Oefks
annually furnished giving full and detailed accounts OF all
the busIness done in each County OF the Circuit Judge
wac discontinued the people and not the Legislature shoud
loc another which would take away from the Legs ature
all temptation TO him, that they might supply ms
Mace with lavOTlle or paluZaH VI tieH o"n, "'N ~
not mpair the incentives discharge The duties ihey owe
m the Commonwealth. The mere dlscontlnuance OF
Judoe without solemn arragnment and Irla would mol
carry with it that official degradation and social dscfeul
which now operate 50 powerfully our sympahios wheh
his removal is talked about and will ever pro'ect MIN eA
cent in gross and gIarng Of official Improperly.
But do not pretend To give any plan OF my own. ANY
Arrangement which might be made on 50 lp or'a"' su'
iect would require much wisdom, reflection experience anu
discussion We should take to be represented oy e"
who ire equal to such task 1t is contemplated a' me
Convention will sit not less than three months. sh'uu
think if was constituted of such as ought 10 oeoh
IA il after they had spent that length OF time III ANXIOUS anu
able discussion and brought together all the ighS WHEN
everv non Of the State could furnish their conc'us'os
mp6t DO as safely relied upon those OF lew village o
ticans who CLUB together whenever change Is aneu aUo
and in the name and and without the authority oil we Peo
nile announce exactly what that change shall De. sou'
think if the people themselves were perfectly prepared "
settle the questions at once discussion by their representa-
lives would be useless waste OF Time ana og u pe Po
hibiled Besides the judiciary there VIII ne many very
imnorant questions before the Convention ooh OF ioca'
and general character and it is really curious 10 LOOK over
the newspapers from different parts Of The Stale ana see me
reo diversity views which exist, and The various strange
which are Contemplated We a' to be amused al
e asurdily of some of them only because we are aIa'
ed al The destructive Innovations they propose Ahere"n
he uch occasion in that body for all the wisdom prudence
and WEIGHT of character we command Every ci'zeh
has deem interest at stake. Forny part shai endeaVo'
y, enrst mine TO firm hands, sound heads ana consei'a
,iy, hearts. CHRISTOPHER QUANDARf.