Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-17

constitutional protection of property is all that he
reasonably asked for by its owner.
g. am in favor Of extending the right Of suffrage to all
white male citizens, of sound mind, Of the age Of twenty
lone and upwards who have beeen assessed with
ax or County levy and who has resided for twelve months
next preceding the election in the Staeand six in the coun
y in which they propose to vote, and who have not been
convicted Of any infamous offence.
|on uncertain vague and unjust and the source from
whence nearly all our contested elections originate would
abolish the power ofthe Legislature to extend abdge
the right of suffrage As things now stand The Legislature
can make unmake thousands Of voters, by the passage
Iof single Tax Bill. To me, it seems worse than folly
saythat is more or less capable ocasng correct
VOTE because he is not charged with tax fifteen shI-
Hing clock or watch am opposed to the system Ofc0ubo
voting, as now practised throughout the Commonwealth,
and would restrict each individual 10 single vote.
g. am in favor Of eecting for stated terms al eesys Of
THE Government whether Executive, Judicial, Municipal
or Ministerial, directly by the people, from whom oil s
ultimate authority should be derived The coordinate
branches of the Government viz the Legislative Execu-
Tive and Judicial should be Independent Of each other
Under present Constitution the two latter the cres-
ion of the former and consequently subserven to IT, 10
some This objection can only be obviated BY
transferring the appointing power 10 The hands Of the peo
pe, where rghlnly belongs. And by way insuring
prompt aud faithful discharge of their respective duties,
|they should, at fixed periods be reduced to private
station, returned into that body from which they were
certain and regular elections" am mol participant in
THE goundess fears Of many, who think that the ndepen
dence of the officers is be impaired that many of the
most worthy incumbens in office, will Se by the contempas
tied change, ostracized. IT, indeed, they worthy and
well qualified they may again receive the appointment at
the hands the people, 1t is 10 me- strung proof TO the
unwohiness Of any incumbent, to desire to hold an Office
ag ainst the will of The people, whose servant he is.
4. Believing that the perpetnity of our Republican in
situations dependent upon the intelligence of the people,
II should be n favor Of introducing general system of Edu
cation whereby elementary branches of education shall be
taught all who may DC required 10 perform Inc oueS VI
citizens.
land of restricting the sessions 10 limited periods op
posed TO SO much special legislation By reference 10 our
Session Acts will seen that about twothirds of the time
of every session of the Legislature consumed by business
of special and private character constitutional restraint
upon this waste Of time and money is my opinion, loud
ly called for.
g. regard the present Jury system as onerous and OPP
pressve nasuch the citizens of the commonwealth are
detained for the trial ocauses in which they have interest,"
without compensation and not subsequently incur consider
able expense by the detention. l. therefore, would be in
favor Of allowing Jurors reasonable compensation for
their services.
These fellow citizens, are, and have been for number
of years, my views Of the leading reforms
plated. fear Of proving tedious has impeed me to be
brief as possible. however hold it TO be the right the
voter know the views of candidate for office all
questions likely 10 come within the pale Of duty, feleo
ted. hold myself bound al all times give my views
any other reforms contemplated and not embraced in this
circular Should be the pleasure Of the Of the dis
tc elect Of their delegates to the Convention,
shall feel bound to every honest endeavor to
the adoption of The proposed reforms, and in all other mat
ters TO represent the will Of the people as far it bo
by me.
My lfe in the main, has been private one, and am
public speaking no wever, should op
portu1iiy De will endeav0r TO meet the citizens of the
various counties of the district and in plain give
my views at length
A. STEPHENSON, in.
Monterey June 26 1850