Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-01-09
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1850.
REFORM.

"Aud wo thought, and still thiak, as the editors
Of the Spectator admit the capacity OF the people
for self government" il follows from that admis-
sion. tina, they must acknowledge the right of the
people TO elect all their officers from the highest to
the lowest--and this is one Of the reforms we ad-
vocate" -TmdicetOr.
The first remark We have to make upon the above,
is that the term ''admit" is too weak for the In
tensity OF our sentiment upon this fundamental Pnn
ciple of republican government. We hold the doc
trine most tenaciousy, and one Of US, at least has
cherished il little longer than the editor of the
Vindicator The other Of us, although Of mature
years, while unable to say he has coEtended for 1t
more than quarter Of century. Gas thesoie otthe
Vindicator and the senior Of the Spectator may yet
no Yields to neither in devotion TO the same When
we speak Of the people in government sense, be 1t
understood, we mean to exclude free negroes, mi
nors and females, as has been before intimated in
giving our views upon the elective franchise.
Oar second is, that in the sentence above quoted,
there is strange couounding OF right with exped-
ency We admit the right Of the people to elect all
officers from the Governor down to the tip staff OF
a Court, if they think proper to do SO. But would
it be expedient? The people have right to alter
or abolish their form of government and substitute
any other their sovereign will might determine
But surely, the admission of the right would not
close the door upon the various questions Of exped.
ency that might thersup1n arise. The people have
right to assemble in great democratic mass for
tho purpose Of reform, but we presume this would
be highly inexpedient The right to alter or abol-
ish their form of government, embraces all rights
Having once determined to alter or abolish, every
question which can thereafter arise, whether in re-
gard to The character ef the new government. the
various departments, distribution Of powers, offices
and officers, with their mode Of appointment, all in
volve matters Of expectancy and not Of right In
short, the very settlement Of every such question Of
expedeney by the people, is itself an assertion Of
their right and sovereignty. When the Vindicatnr,
then says, it advocates the election Of all officers
by the people, from the highest to tho lowest, it
takes position in which neither the right nor the
capacity OF the people for selfgovernment is at all
implicated; and that which it would have us re-
ceive as q conclusion from premises laid in right,
turns out to be an independent proposition turning
upon exPediency alone. Away then with the idea
of the peoples rights being invaded, when mere
matters of convenience and policy are in issue upon
putting together the machinery of government.
10 the third place, this independent proposition,
this question ofexpediency will claim attention;
br, an remarks thereon viii be postponed to ano-
tlo 10, a -.
GERS we have taken some pains to make out, all Of
which, the Vindicator contends should be elected
by the people, from the highest to the lowest.
Governor; Councillors of State, 3; Clerk of Coun-
Gil Superintendent Of Weights and Measures /;
Door keeper to Council; Secretary Of Common
wealth; Librarian; Adiutant General; Assistant
Secretary Of Commonwealth; Copying Clerk to Ex-
ecutve Register Of Land Office; LIST Clerk in Land
Office; 2nd Clerk in Land Office; First Auditor; ;
LIST Clerk in Auditors Office; Clerks OF Accounts
Auditors Office 2nd Clerk, Auditors Office 2td
Clerk, Auditors Office Extra Clerk, Auditors
Office Second Auditors Office; lst Clerk, Audi
tors Office; 2nd Clerk, Auditors Office; Add
tona Clerk, Auditors Office; Treasurer Of Com
mcnwealth; LIST Clerk, Treasurer's Office; 2nd
Clerk, Treasurer's Office Judges Court of APP
peals, 5 Reporter to Court of Appeals; Attorney
General; TiPstaf, Court of Appeals, Crer, Court
ofAppeals, Clerk, Court of Appeals, Richmond !;
Capt Public Guard Isl Lieut.. Public Guard End
Lieut.. Public Guard Surgeon, Public Guard and
Peniienlary Superintendent Of Pentehtiary ; As
sistant Keepers, Penitentiary; Directors of Peni-
=
Tertiary Clerk Of Pemteutiary Clerk of House of
Delegates Keeper OF Rolls Sergeant at Arms; LIST
Door Keeper; 2ud Door Keeper; Clerks 10 Com
mi,tees of House Clerk OF Senate; Sergeant-a!-
Arms; lst Door Keeper I'd Door Keeper; Vaccine
Agent; Public Printer; Inspector ofFour& Tobacco;
Supnt Of Repairs, Arms Judges of Gen. Court /;
Crier to Gen. Court; Crier to Special Court Of APP
peas Tipstaff to Special Court Of Appeals; Prin
ter to Senate; Superior Court. Clerks and Depu-
ties; Master Commissioners; Commissioners to take
Dispositions; County Clerks and Deputies High
Sheriff and Deputies; COroners; Road Commits
soners, County Surveyor; Commonwsalth's At
torneys; COnstables; Assessors; County Magis-
tIa,eS.
AUGUSTA SAVINGS BANK.-The annual meeting
Of the Stockholders of this institution was held on
Thursday last and the following persons were oho-
cen Directors for the present year: b. Crawford,
A. NJ. Simpson, n. X Trout, VIM. Frazier, ID. A.