Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-09
For The Ennnirfr.
No. Ill.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR
ELECTION

ELECTION
II was said with great truth by Mr. Ia.tren in the lir
gnd Convention of 1929 that n Republican government
nothing is important frs, reduce the ia
patronage and then divide the power what remains
The wise trainers Of Constitution hit npon the mode of
doing this They gave the County Court large share oi
the patronage of this Commonwealth; they gave anothe,
large share 10 the Legislature and then they allowed th~
Executive the rest"
State, and will introduce conflicting principles
which il will be impossible 10 control anu which will have
the most dangerous consequences"
"You will make the Office OF Governor desirable thu
will have cabals and commoon throughout the
nifty"
Such commotion obliged have ii, besides la
of the Governors patronage he be elected by
direct vote OF the people Of the whole State; mode of cleo
ton which be generally drorite rh hos. rh3
adrocate the he basis The basis Of representation, os
which they have their reasons which would not recommend
it those who for representation based white popu
ton and taxation combined, the federal number.
The provision in the 9Th Clause OF the Bill OF Rights that
the legislative and executive powers of the State should cr
separate and distinct from the judiciary" has been relied
upon support oil the POSITION that the Legislature Should
elect the Governor.
On this subject, Mr. Monroe, in the Convention Of 1928.
said III there br regular constitution, and the three
branches OF government he separated, and limit is pre-
scribe the legislative branch and s power clearly de-
incd and il, in like manner limits set to the Executive
Department. and s powers also deincd and the same with
respect 10 the Jucav the powers OF all being distinct ana
clearly dened though tho election of Governor Qor no"
ne myself hiatt be by the General Assembly 1t
not n said that the powers togeh,
in that body There is separation of them"
Mr. Gs said "He who acts By another, acts by himself
When the people, in their individual character have elected
their legislative representatives and invested those represon
,ives with power prescribe rules VI cUhduc for then -
incc they have done all that is necessary for the sect
nv III preservation Of their rights and liberties"
'None" said Mr.. Tdze9e 'dou,t the position that liz
people in this country the sole legitimate source OF pow
er The only question The mode in which they sa
exercise their power Shall they exercise II themselves IL
the fist instance by agents whom they appoint for t2;
purpose Either OF these modes is equally republican,
viii gentlemen contend than tie President ot The tad
States - elected BY :he people? Vet the means hey
employ elccug him. IS Ia appoint electors 10 choose h
by their votes The by whcn the Governor oi pr
gai1 is elected pesen of the Kind The people
elect the members of the Legislature, with the knowledge
that they are the Governor The election OF these
Delegates is the all the people; and The only question
is whether they shall call individual 10 the Executive
most other questions in politics, is question OF ePsd
encp; 10 be referred condition of the country and
the nature of the duties 10 be performed 10y the Executive
Mr. Randolph said Il have as much respect for The peo
ne as any one ] am OF tho people N - common not
adcYs profess respect for The cope This bovine
10 the majesty of people PdtrIh Hary saws is death
10 the independence ri the people.
"The peupa he proceeded "canno nc, nnless TO thsit
destruction but by agents. They nre like 'e ipirl ovrft
of large estate. who possessca large plantation
and IS in feeble health gets orerseer II he should M
der,ake 10 superneni himself The inluiblc effect would
be- the loss of the cropand the next thing We should heal
Of wond be deed Of for his estateand away goes
So the people nctthey can act safely only by thes
And will add they safely act only by good agents
nv agents who know what IL be DONE who well quail
fed 10 do It, and who have the honesty ms well as the aby
70 40 il properlv ONE OF THE PEOPLE.