Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-10
Tuesday, July 9, 1850.
Messenger have politeness to copy.
THE ONE TERRI PRINCIPLE.

.MesA Editors Great efforts have been made 10 mis-
represent the opinions OF Messrs Niche land Stuart in
gard the judicial tenure They falsely charged with
icing the advncacs Of the life tenure The men who cir
cuale this statement know to be untrue but 10 promote
their ownselsh purposes they persist in spreading abroad
What Messrs. Niche and Stuart go for is, that Judges
should not be reegibe. In other words, they go for
single for the Judge and election afterwards Ii
elected Judge at SO, (and few are qualified young
er then he is to hold his office until say IS and leave the
bench. This is equivalent t. term OILS years. Ii he is
elected at 55 it is equivalent TO term Of III years.
The evils they wish guard against those which
would result from the efforts of Judge TO his re-
election. Gen. Jackson said that the Constitution OF The
t. S. ought be so changed that the President would be
ineligible for second term. Mr. Polk announced the
principle and acting i, he proclaimed in his first mes.
sage that he would be candidate for reelection. The
one term principle has been adopted might almost say
| as an article in the democratic creed. And whyf Be
cause Gen. Jackson sad the first term OF the President
will be occupied, not in attending TO he interests OF the
country but in electiuneerng for second term And has
not Gen. Jacksons prediction been verified? How was 1t
with Van Buren, How was it with Tylsr4
ia President will thus eeconeer, may we moi safely
saw that Judge will do the same? VIII he not court
the favor of those who strong influence in elections!
1t not unfrequeny happens that we have Shers who are
more occupied in eeconeerng than in dschargng their
official duties and paying over money TO those Tor whom
they have collected it, Suppose notice against such
Sheriff just before election, will not the Judge be apt to
lean in favor Of who WELD much influence as Sher
IFS do? The Judge and the Sheriff would probably be on
the same ticket and extremely friendly. community Of
interests has strong effect in Welding people ogether-
Men who hated each other with the utmost intensity and
who preparing TO prove each unworthy oil 'rst are
sometimes led by certain cohesive power, which Mr. Ga
houn once spoke Of be thick twin brothers The
judge and The Sheriff and the Clerk and the Attorney
would band together and each would help the other, and
there CHANGED be little exorilon or NAL ieasance, or
nonfeasance in oce-a few fees charged, for example
or executions not returned in me money not paid over
to the creditor, or any ue matter of that sort-hey viii
protect each other and smuggle the matter up -,
All The Sherfls or candidates for the Sherfaty VIII
90 for the reeligbiity because the effect will be TO place
the Judge pretty much 10 their power The true issue Their
is, the ONE TERM PRINCIPLE and no re-eglbll.y. nc
object of the term not 10 throw temptation III he
way of the Judge do wrong advance his own interests
Let him have motive electiOneer. let hun serve
single and then go Fix that term ii you please
TO- Is. 20 years, but do moi allow the Judge De
candidate for collection This will remove the objections
which Messrs. Niche and Stuart have urged to the e'e
giby of the Judges-ohec'lons, the force OF when every
man must feel And at the same time il obvlaies the evils
which might result from retaining Judges in Office too long
The Constitution Of Virginia provides that the Ooveho
shall be eligible except after the lapse OF severa
years Was not this done prevent the Governor lion
using his power to gain reelection! why mol carfy'h
principle out and make it applicable TO Judges
| Here then is the whole issue IN nut she-oEE TERN
AND No ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE. On this ground the me
who value pure administration OF justice will stand. o.
this ground they will conquer be defeated What
you people Of Augusta-Shall Judges hold Office only fo
ONE TERM, or shall they be tempted 10 drag the ermn
of Justice in the mire of politics and demagoguesm TO sc
cure SECOND or THIRD TERM.
A TRUE REFORMER.