Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-08-07

is now before me and see nothing in it to sutorze te
claim you have thus made to him. Be pleased 10 peftt
him to speak for himself through your columns by publish
ing from his address the following extracts, that to say
1.-THE right and safety of the people," SC. 1T
am in favor of the people eecling all their oicers &c
Of tho Candidates in the Augusta conventional District
THOROUGH REFORMER.
Extracts from the address
The right and safety Of the people should be the aim and
end Of all government Ours is the peoples government
and experience has proved that The people govern them.
selves But they allowed to do under the exist
ny Constitution. Fhey are not equally represented Many
VINO have perform the duties denied the rights Of ci
lzens Property represented instead Of persoas Only
one Oh Inc many officers who hold and WELD The movers Of
the government is elected by the people, The Legislator
who makes Inc laws, is the only officer the people are pef
mtted elect The judicial and executive officers who
pound and eece The law not elected by the peope bui
are appointed by the Legislature the Governor the Cou
or by some other official And when so apponted thew az
responsible but are independent Of The people THIS
restraints upon them are not to be found in The mod h
appointment but in their moderation and ustics ana
above all in the spirit of independence anoag ,he ns-
pie The officers have dared, if disposed fully to ma
their powers, but have been forced by this spirit to govern
with degree Of moderation But this spirit msn-
~ is, does not always the people from abuses Of
power and from oppression The Legislature fixes its own
IonX peaseSb longer
ofener than the public good requires There is wssteul
expenditure of the Of the State under the loose and
unrestraned management of its finances which has pre-
vailed The bhrhen Of taxation nready too heavy will
become oppressive checks are not provided against
agances, and economical system adopted and admin
stered. Judges and Magistrates hold their Offices Tor life
Magistrates virtually appoint themselves and keep up the
succession of their body forever and thus
ted they hold in their hands and dispense the power and pa
ronage Of The county. They appoint The County Court
Clerk, The Surveyor, the Commissioner the Rsveuuehe
Assessor Of Lands the Attorney for the County, and tho
Conslables and The Sherfay is attached to their Office
and is kept Of hereditary succession or rotation a.
mong the Magistrates. Even the Governor is chosen by
the Legislature instead of the people These are some Of this
defects in the Constitution which require reform.
in favor of the people electing all their officers from
the Governor the Constable, without exceptions and am
opposed life tenures of Office The people would be- SC.
cured from oppression all officers would be responsible and
the honors and officers Of the country would then be
slble to all who have merit AS it is, whatever merit
msn may have in the estimation of the people, If he be not
tavoe with the appointing power, he get office:
Let the people dispense The power and patronage which
belongs hem and then The humbes citizen may aspire
to and attain ifhe deserves, the highest honor in the gift
of the people.
TWhen 3 named Mr.. Shirley as one OF the many dis
tinguished Candidates for the Convention opposed tbs
term and eligibility Of Judges, his address had
not been published and authorized classify hin
did by who professed be acquainted with his
views Our correspondent says there is nothingn Mr. Sc
address to authorize the claim made m-we do noi
perceive anything the contrary in The above extracts