Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-01-28

on whom the choice may fall. The representa-
tive from one section OF the State will feel but
little interest for himself or his constituents as
regards the appointment of Judge in the other
section of the State. Thus the appointment will
be made by men, nine-tenths of whom have
neither knowledge nor interest to regulate their
decision. But, it may be said, lhat the legsla-
ture may be governed by the opinion ot the I'M
mediate representative of the people concerned.
This. however, it will be remarked, is optional
with each member composing the body OF cleo
tors but whether they do so or not, the objec
ton 10 this mode of appointment is equally
strong. If the opinion of the representative of
each district is to prevail where the necessity of
calling in the residue OF the Legislature to assist
in the election, when tits in their power TO dis
regard the wishes Of him who alone has knowl-
edge or interest in the subject? Why not give
at once to the representative of each district the
signed that the whole Legislature should be
check npon the local repre- sentatives, then it is
probable that in every case where the legislature
undertakes to act in opposition TO their will that
an incompetent ot,obnoxons Judge would be
foisted upon the people The Whole tendency
of such System is 10 lead inevitably to log roll
! ing and barter Of votes Except as regards the
election OF the Supreme Judiciary; whose juris
dietion is co-extensive with the Limits Of the State
it is evident that vast majority of the leesla-
ture would have no personal and direct interest
in the selection OF a good Judge for each of the
districts.
Each member of that district; however, will
have some Interior object to gain, OF more jnte,
/ rest to himself and constituents Than the ap-
poinment of a particular man to the office OF
Judge in some of the neighborirg or more re-
mote districts of the State Whatever that Oh
ect may be- his vote will be the chief capital
upon which he is to rely for his attainment !:
and can it be do,lbted that that vote would be
cast not 80 much with reference TO the choice
Of good Judge as to the accomplishment of his
own parposesy The purity of the Legislature,
the dignity of the judiciary, and the proper
working OF our system, require that these two
departments should not be 80 blended as TO lead
to the corruption of the one and the degradation
of the other
TO confer the power of appointment upon the
executive is equally Objectionable. The same
reason which renders it important that the judi
ciary should not be subordinate to the legisla-
ture. applies oqilalIy 10 the executive. 1t is
the duty of The judiciary to bring the
acts Of the executive to the test of the con-
sitution, aad to keep this department within the
sphere allotted TO it by law. By holding in
his hands the power OF appointment, you give
to the executive absolute dominion over the
jndges, and it disposed to do violent thing he
would soon fill the bench with fitting instru-
ments to sanction and sunctity the deed. Give
him this power, and he will Unite in his own
person all the powers of government with le
gisatife and executive functions and d servile
and obedient Judiciary he will possess as much
powet as the crowned monarch on his throne.
We object to it, ALSO because it is the man
power. 1t is shoot from the doctrine trans
| planted from the royal Gardens OF London tower
| The patronage of this executive is a remnant of
the monarchical principle, and ii is the fountain
| from whence have issued copious streams of
Decentralization that have flowed over the land
! Nothing can be more diseYaceihl and degrading
to the character of the Amercan republic than
the humiliating spectacle which is presented
upon the accession of each new executive to the
chair OF state The spectacle is not only witnessed
in theState government, but upon the more ele-
waited theatre of the national government sWarrns
and myriads Of office hunters flock to the seat
of government. as tomorants and vulttres gath
er around now slain carcass they besiege
and beset every avenue " hch leads to the exc
cufive palace and it is said that one president
] lost his life by The harrassments and imrnrtnnl-
ties OF these hungry claimants, that would
take no denial. 1t is amentable truth. yet it
cannot be concealed, that there are hosts OF ildi-
| viduals who follow in the wake ofthe two great
| political parties, as sharks follow The wake OF
ship for the oflal that is thrown overheard,
thieves and bantitt follow after the caravans of
the East, for the hope of the plunder they may
pick tip in the rear, 1t is time that this evil
should be remedied. This fountain of bitter
waters should be dried up at its very source
The executive ought to be shorn of the whole
of its patronage. The power of appointment
should be taken from him altogether, and placed
where it properly belongs, in the hands of the
people. Any convention which shall accom-
plish this i'm rortant work of reformation, will
have earned for itself a lasting title to the
gratitude Of fostetity.