Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-31
To Messrs. F. H. Hull, &C., sc.
10 THE VOTERS OF ROCKBRIDGE, AUGUSTA AND HIGHLAND


TO THE VOTERS OF ROCKBRIDGE AUGUSTA AND HIGHLAND
Felov-c -citi=ens Having announced myself candidate
TO represent you the Convention which to assemble
October next for the purpose of reforming the Constitution
of Virginia. duty to YOU well justice to myself,
qures that should mako frank avowal Of the principles
which will govern my action, should be honored ~ your
suffrage with a scat in the Convention.
The limits which Ihave prescribed myself in this Ad
dress, will preclude the possibility Of discussing in detail
the various prncp Of Constitutional reform which shall
herein 1t shall be my aim to declare to you as brief
y as possible the several reforms which in my humble
Judgment should be Incorporated in the Constitution.
As so the oasis of representation. The tohole number
ofee hte Inhabitants is, in my opinion, the only proper
basis upon which apporon representation in the General
Assembly 1t seems that the fear entertained by the
opponents Of the White Basis that property would be sub
ec to an undue of taxation unless protected by
property representation in the Legislature, is altogether
chimerica Let there be provision in tie Constitution
requiring all taxes be levied upon the ad vaore prnci
pe each citizen would then pay taxes in proportion to the
value of his property The adoption of this principle Of
taxation would ample and complete protection the
property holder and is the only fair and equitable system
of taxation Upon the question of the basis Of representa-
tion the people Of Western Virginia should yield one
inch of ground the contrary, they should resist to the
last extremity every effort to deprive them Of it, as pn.
ciple which does not admit Of compromise.
H. The right of Suffrage should be extended to every
free white male citizen of the age of 81 years and upward
not convicted Of any crime, Of sound mind and who shall
have paid all taxes assessed against him. who abors the
highways or is subject to militia duty would require
further qualification, residence in the State l2 months
All should have but vote and that should be
only in the county of his residence.
Ill., The present County Court system should be abol
ished. Our County Courts, at present organized
mainly defective in this they charged with the
ton of duties utterly dissmar and inconsistent with
the other. They exercise common law and chancery us
dcon, they Courts of Oyer and Termner and genera
Jail delivery, Court of Probate, Court of Police and ir
short, they happy illustration of the old saying, Jacl
Of all trades and master of none" Although the gentle
men who sit upon the county bench most generally men
of high intelligence and moral worth-yet such the
ture Of the many duties which they required to perform
that it is scarcely matter of SURPRISE that the business II
the County Courts is always in arrear, and often wher
done done in hasty and negligent manner, TO the grea
injury of suitors therein.
As substitute for the County Court would recommend
The election of three Commissioners who should constitute
"County Commissioners Court. This Court should have
charge of the general police and of the county,
before them should be settled and allowed all claims agains
the county This Court should also be charged with thu
selection of Jurors grand and petit for the Circuit Court
The msde of selecting Jures should be hs-let there b.
made out complete roll of every discreet, sober man in thu
county, between the ages 81 and 60he Of each
TO be written upon separate ballot and the ballots de
posted in box from this box should be drawn random
So names-the first 90 to constitute grand ury-the re-
naming Sc constitute the petit ures for the term of thu
Circuit Court. The Jurors should be selected and sum
moned at least four weeks previous to the first day of th
term of the Circuit Court thus giving to those selected
ample time arrange their affairs so 10 attend upon .h
Court, without injury to their business.
The names of the jurors drawn should be placed in box
and there remain until the whole the ballots from thu
first box drawn out BY pursuing this course, the bur
den of serving upon uries, will fall equally upon every cit
zen and the services of competent juror, would be always
secured. The jurors thus selected should receive fa
compensation for their services.
All of the details above set FORTH would not of course
engraf in the Constitution They proper subjects o
Legislative action. have given them only for the purpose
OF showing the practical operation Of Court thus constu
ted advocate this system not untried experiment
but as subjected to the test Of actual experience in ma
ny of our sister States where it has been found to worl
well, and is attended with but little expense.
w. AS further substitute for the County Court wou
establish in each county, Probate Court, to consist of
single Judge which Court should be vested with power
and have jurisdiction all things pertaining the oc
and duties Of Executors Administrators and Guardians
The delay and expense usually attending the settlement
the accounts of Executors Administrators and Guardian