Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-08-14
COW M UNIC ATOMS.
THE BREAKERS

THE BREAKERS
Mcssrs. Editors: Every citizen of Vi,c;n;. h. ::
hyof that name, must feel deep socede in view oS
changes proposed be made in cur Constitution M be
who reflect but little the subject, may seem maize,
of no great difficulty to lay The foundation Of State CIV
ernment and the end Of most importance in their eslia
ton is, to give the widest range the popular will But
the subject assumes solemn aspect when il is re-
membered that the provisions of State Constitution, in
being carried Out in all the detail Of their operation, have
not only the liberties and rights Of the people in their keep
Rg but have also direct influence in forming the chsrac
er,moraand social of the inhabitants of the
The decree has gone forth for COnvenriCn and s0on
the people will send up the men of their choice to do the
work. VIII you suffer 10 look out from asecluded and
quiet home, free from excitement, to offer few remarks
upon some of the proposed amendments? With all the
screwing up process which has been going on, have rot
been able get than half way in what's called reform.
J. The citizens of Virginia have right to demand of
those representing her in Convention, that they give To the
State Constitution easily understood, explicit in all its
provisions impartial in its operao and which will afford
them ample and speedy protection in all their rights and
prlveges--and all this guarded that tho officers Of the
government shall receive proper compensation for their
services and the citizens agenot be improperly Cypress
ed The correctness of this will be questioned and
ought to be held tn view one Of the great way
beiue the Convention. 1t any part Of present system
has been found defective in past experience let it be alter
ed of course But am strongly inclined to The opinion,
that our present Constitution has not injured half So many
as is represented IL is the easiest matter the world for
people 10 hurt themselves and then blame the Court When
have occasionally dropped into Of the Courts gen
orally observed The Courts urging cases to trial, and The
parties Shaving theme OIL Many stumps his and then
by way Of revenge abrses the stump.
H. While all admit that the Governor ought 10 be elect
ed by popular vote, il is think very doubtful cues
ton whether any good will be gained by submitting The
nf ,l,o
vote And II these elections return short intervals
would greatly prefer our present system, with all the
faults found by lis opposers But il The term Of Office il
long one to place the occupant above even the ssp
con of timeservng policy, then any objection the pro-
posed mode of election if exist at all is greatly relieved
hold it to be right inherent in every body of doing
business, 10 appoint their clerk 1t, therefore, seems
10 me in every way proper that the County Court should
elect the County Clerk The Court must sign The record
and not the Clerk is the duty of the Court TO and
know that the record is properly made if the Clerk makes
wrong entry, ii is the Court which must have il set right
And all the matters entered the records between the sit
tings Of Court under their review Now, ask, is it
fiji and right to force any Court Clerk either conpe
tent or incompetent, who is responsible them and
whom they cannot remove for just The people of
the Commonwealth may just properly claim and exercise
the right elect The Clerk Of the uuse Of delegates ur the
men Of regiment to elect the Clerk Of the Courtmaria
But may be said lie Clerk has in his charge the vaua
OueS OuSlH6SS u! the pete OF the COun
ty, aud therefore is their agent True-but all this must
be done through the Court and according to due form of
law, of which the Court is to be the udgemust they
Judge and not control the hand which records that judy
men? There is as much reason why the people should
elect the Clerk Of the Superior Court Is intended
force the Judge Clerk whom he may find 10 be ncom
pe,ent? There would be much propriety in doing
as ia the County Court
ILL., But it to be favorte plan with 10 abo
lsh the County Court. will not say any thing Of The in
justice Of cutting off all tose officers WIN have long served
their counties without any compensation have not
this punt discussed and hope reormers have thrown
aside the scales justice. But if you ab,lsh the County
Court, still you must have Justices Of the Peace. How
are they to be paid They paid By The profits of
the Slerfay suppose The plan is 10 attach regular fees
10 all their official viii not The people think little
Of this before they shout for The present system tends
To discourage litigation, all who will reflect must know.
But change the matter proposed and pay all hese'of
GERS ~ regular lees and then whose interest will II be
encourage and continue and increase the expenses O.
is net good policy in farmer throw away imple-
ment which Isl working we'll If has some faults un
I'll he has good reason 10 know that the proposed substitute
will do better.
w. think it solemn and weighty objection to some
"f the changes proposed, tina. they VIII throw wide open
the door 10 frequent County and excilemenls
which Will disturb the peace and guod order OF suciey-
Must have continually all the bitterness of defeated and
disappointed candidates poured out in the community p?
They ALL from the Constable up have their heated
partlsans Competitors and their parties, when excited,
will bite and SANDER each other Then comes the day Of
calling each other To account. will moi draw out the
pciue bu leave each do from his own past observa
tun There is now SANDER and obloquy enough in some
Of cur Counties to kill at least men, and it 'ths Is
done in the green tree, what will De done in the dry ?"
have no desire 10 the quiet and living rural dis
rcts of Virginia changed into the Salamander element Of
some other States. was told by citizen of one of the
hu ha hoI
seen the leaders of party clans, after heated in
the hborhood The polls with heads shaven and
all preparations made for general fight But some one
will answer again. "he rights OF the people" ThIsis an
To all arguments profess to have as strong
attachment TO popular rights as any man. am humble
one of The people, and beseech those champions of
rights let u.s. the people, say which Of many natural
rights think best To give 10 agents. rather than
be continually holding large meetings to act them out
selves Do let the people have chance to study The
things which make for peace" 1hespeoplsaof Augusta
have right to meet every day Sundays excepied) in
hut they wisely think it best themselves Of the
right And perhaps, if left calmly to reflect, they might
come to the conclusion that il would be Just sewe, in ma
ny Of the e county eeclions$not to enb5 themselves
in angry disputes with their neghborsJo gray the long
ing desires Of those seeking fur Office. 81
But if the good people Of the Old Dominion are deter
mined to cut loose from therancent mornings, which have
heu lem lr III many stormy Gay III lfy are ieSoi'e" "
launch into the Of Democracy rrnnad then indeed
it will require sknl pilot and steady hand to "guide
the ship Of State" Our common lot is the noble
old ship With wise counses and propitlous gales we
will sail on and prosper but when The gathering
around U.S. let not, in hour Of excitement,
lay rude hand well tried rigging, and then trust to
the mercies of the waves, when The warpng cry is heard
from many old and experienced -'hreakers a.
head" LO0KER-OUT.
A. b. c., ON STEPHENSON.