Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-06-25

,hr Norfolk district Of Le,on w. Tazewellhs is host
in HIMSELF and ought never TO be iorsot,en yorcp
AN OLD DEMOCRAT OF HANoN kk
For THE EsautRgR.
10 The Voters Of Petersburg, Chesterfield and Prince
George.
PErrRssrad, JrxE II, 1890.
Fellow Citizen:-1Iy has hcen connected, ~ the
arency of Others with the election, far of, OF the
men who are represent you in your State Convention
il due 10 YOU no less lhan myself that shall declac nv
opinions in respect that interesting occasion shall not
make myself candidate any farther than expressions OF my
opinions shall constitute candidate except only 10 shy
that elected by you TO serve YOU should not decline the
service but gratefully accept the high honor Il ia not
sistent with nv character withhold my opinions, until
| find how the wind blows.
| was at Prince George Court Yesterday and pre-
sent nj meeting, hui took part in its deliberations
which was held without tnction Of party, 10 consider OF
some plan bringing !or AID candidates tor The convention
No;hng done. TIE opinion expressed in that meeting
BIZ citizen II intelligence and chaacer The course
To- be pursued thai is consistent with my sentiments
than any other have heard suggested there or elsewhere l.
was that persons rho wiling the district shall
sre- their opinions by printed c!.cuirs personal public
addresses the people that the people understanding
H. make their choice II their candidates, and uncon
strained By any dctaon eject whom he, please. Whilst
that IL the way like best shall make any opposition
10 any other mode the people the district any part Of IT,
may prefer will refuse the most respectful! considcEa'
rian Of any other selection OF candidates.
! esteem /, entirely compatible with my Willingness 10
serve YOU declare that dsus my abilities 10 render
an great occasion any service that would command
your admiration and will rece more II II shall be
elect others who can serve YOU more ably
am sure however thar no man will be sincere and
devoted c0-warser a!h others 10 BRING IN una give ne pest
prosncct Of success the reforms which majority OF
than * 900 Of the voters of the State have lately dernn
Cd shall be attempted IL brought in upon their political
economy 10 cxcmpiy the republican creed and extend lis
beneaai reign do propose - enter n hls time INTO
full exposition of all my views 0; the contemplated reforms,
bit oy indicate the general doctrines BY which my votes
On come prominent subjects in the Convention would oe
governed OF am Of opinion that the great princi
s o civil and religious liberty asserted and successfully
maintained BY revolutionary anceaiors, and which are
the essential pillars ard associated ornaments OF Inc Repuo
lie should remain untouched and sacred The two articles
Of The republican creed Ct pccal shc TIE modes o. cS-
ercisng which admit OF any difference Of opinion that
Of most value, estimation are the lights Of tho people
efci and instruct their representatives. mean BY me
psoois nj! men who = years owho have resided ak
months the county town in which the election IS TO be
made and who within the twei:eMoai next before the
election paid public tax 81 done III this State any
public duty required b law al! such lcn though ocy may
-, no other aualifcau should have the right Of suffrage
cxcelng o paupcs and persons ot nsoud mind or con-
yc,e Of any infamous offence This rsh, should OF course
Dc defined inegiby in the Constitution, where also in my
opinion that other and less valuable ugh, OF the cons
tent instruct his representative should III Ike manner
be defined would say in this connection. that the right
a. vote and the rgh instruct would be coeXensiye ana
that am opinion that voter whatever his possessions
should either right in more than one place al the
same period and that the Legislature of the Stale should be
staeiv assembled oener than once in two BIZ
enna sessions the legislature have proved sufficient and
beneficial IN other States. Ths policy with Us, think,
would wisely expense and be sautary check on the
spirit nj change
In con;rnt, 10 the same doctrines would retain the
peopc BY constitutional provisions Tho election oil the Chief
Magistrate OF the Commonwealth ard OF as many 81 The Of
fcrrs associated win him in the Executive, nigh! be 50
elected without algung the people by me frequency or null
,ipicv III such elections and would either clohe the chief
magistrate with qualified veto on The legislative power or
would prefer 10 hold the legislature. By constitutional
provision The probably efficient restraint Of two
thirds in ali appropriations OF the pubic funds and in
all exercises Of the power 10 create corporations II would
ol fhn thvn
around corporate bodies. will mention only
would constitutional provision deny the 10 the
legislature any bank with liberty - emit notes Of
less then five dollars would not leave the pesti-
evil of small note currency 10 the instability OF odi-
nary legislation.
a. 10 the judiciary would have entirely independent
Of the legislature. would annoy the people with the
election OF justices Of the peace with the election Of
clerks oi courts ses their deputies constabes
would retain the county courts subject however such
sr,icrons and would prevent m undue concenua
lion o the influence Of numerous and wealthy families in
the magstracy. Thu retaining the county tn
foundation Of the Judicial! system wod nave In the higher
alris The criminal the law and The cnnncoTv
distortions vested in distinct intermediate co"r'a general
be of ultimate resort in criminal cases nnd hr
,,nef jurisdiction in last appeal 10 be blended in supreme
The Judges Of the higher courts think, should bc
elected in some other way than by legislature but how
elected they should not be elected for life hut for
Of Years short and not often renewable Rotation in
ice is less saluary than sutciencv of salary,
whist would hold the Judges Inc constrant that
lrme wond also give them the benefit ct this and make
their salaries ample Besides The accountability that awaits
r-.ecllnn there is other Judge that Is available
to the public The power in the legislature remove him
rom Office is farce VI worse
4 few thoughts respecting the Judiciary think
the supreme ot ciyl lnw and equity Jurisdictions
should composed Of three Judges and 10 more One
them Ia De STYLED the ci;ef justice and the others aS-aeS
Three Gaspatch business, and cheapy, ana
with less mUtabliy Of decision shan large number
Judges. would also say here that the persons 10 BE-
pointed justices OF the peace from time Time in each
a;ora district of the State should be recommended
Governor by the representatives Of the district in the
raj Assembly II might he promotiro of the public justice
conducive orderly and despatch of business
that the justices OF the peace in the several counties shou
elect presiding Judge Of the county court be commits
STONED by the Governor of the State, for the Of ou
years renewable oftener than three tines This Dres
ding Judge Of county should nso ge Of pro
bate having for mis- clerk and his commissioners those
county He should be invested with such jurisdiction
dy prescribed by las IN all matters respecting the
taes decedcns AMI the duties ard accoGntabiles
GUARDIANS cuatoTs committees and cor3ners and be 3aiC
such ices rs the Legislature shall prescribe Lee Gc term
o the probate be- in iour months and gin
tho day after the monthly county CONT day
In ntmaiing above the extent to which deem il desra
bic 90 in charging the popular power 10 elect the officers
am not willing Ia be understood as conending that
would be Objectionable 10 70 further For that extent
would s,renuously contend but would make s,renu
opposition 10 any seriously proposed extension OF III
elective power of the people, and have said for
years lei the popular flag OF freedom be hung out thai
folds may catch every favorable breeze.
Whether il is consistent with excluding from the right
suffrage the that the right of repro
senatlon the Legislature shall have its simple source
numbers alone double foundation in Numbers and pro
per is PROBABLY the question that will give the Convention
'sou5o than other. The rule o. consistency is
less obvious ln HE rule Of inc:et ut the rule o
rest when i IS not UNJUST Is oi powerful! md porec
oIgllio than the rule o. consistency with heereca
absacoai and should for the MIXED basis Of repre-
senta.!on IN the Legislature
The opinions | have herein expressed those ] Ion
since formed these subjects and have invariably enter
ancd II would BE- presumption In any snppose IN,
all MS opinions in such ezgency Of public affairs will
ought 20 prevail II would os folly in any 10 close hi
and shut his eyes und give heed other counsel
than the suggestions of his mind. II these opinion
are consistent with yours and you choose 10 make m
candidate for the Convention they are The chief opinions
j, would be my pride with aspiring effort TO strive
elected, have engrafed forms OF government
In respect to these any other subjects should consid
myself your servant always accessible 70 your instruction
and bound 10 yield hearty obedience or 10 resign.
II shall! ee my pleasure between his and the period
election interchange opinions with you freely and #.
" as you may desire and the intermediate time vii! ao
opportunities. Your fellow citizen,
ROBERT R. COLLIER
FAILING OF 4 BRIDGE-DREADFUL ACCIDEN,
MEMPHIS, Tenn, June Is