Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-07-16
Convention.

my kind friends rs 4 candidate for The
Convention, have tod them heretofore,
Ethat if the people thought proper to- elect
Emo. would serve Ihcm, hut that should
enot ciecfionfCr Tor the Office. still re-
atain that position.
As the people desire 10 know the views
) of the candidates who have been nom-
lnarcN upon the principal questions that
! will probably arse in lie Convention, |
! proceed /, answer the lntcrroya,ores pro-
! pounded in your paper.
Ist lam in favor of extending the
: right of suffrage 10 every free white male
scitizen, over twony-onc years ot aye,
. who has been 4 resilient of The Stale for
i lone wear, and shall have paid his taxes
{ for the year preceding the election.
2d. There seems to be general de.
sire among the people TO elect all their
public officers themselves. | see no OBJ
lection TO their doing so, except for the
trouble il may give them. ! have more
confidence generally, in the people than
Hin their servants or as they are frequently,
called now, their rulers. The people
ALWAYS mean to do right, though they are
sometimes misled. And had rather risk
s the errors of judgement in the people,
{ than the selfish and sinister motives
which too frequently influence the con-
duct of their rulers. The experiment OF
electing the Judiciary by the people, is
somewhat new, but it has been tried III
sother States, and learn from authentic
sources. that it works admirably. The
character and duties of the Judge como
3home to the business and bosom OF every
man in the community. Every man has
In direct personal interest i'll the honesty,
liability and efficiency of the Judge, who
Ills TO decide upon his rights, and he has
no 2aofire to mislead him III his choice.
aThc only objection that can be urged is,
: the iacOmpofency of the people 10 make
y the selection, but that would prove the
great principle, of the competency OF the
people for self-government, 10 be mere
fahacy, whereas we consider It the basis
Aof all our institutions.
| have more difficulty and doubt, about
Z the tenure of the judicial Office, than tho
mode Of appointment. 10 short Term
! of wears, and reeligibility, there is the
( obiection that we should be in great dan
ger of an cIectioneering Judge. 10 tins
i am decidedly opposed.
TO the tenure for life, or during good
behaviour, which is about the same IN
effect. there is the objection that the Peo-
& pie are frequently incumbered with an
aine efficient, or imbecile Judge, and 1t IS
ahardly possible to get rid of him. The
apower of removal is never cXericd against
8a Judge for such causes. The public
A(ceIng will rather submit TO the inconvc-
Enience, than resort to so harsh remedy.
II have never known Judge TO be remov-
$ led for this cause, and yet the public ser
Evice should never be sacrificed to private
Alceling or private interest am inclined
lilo think, the tenure should be for as long
.aa term of years, rs a man fit for the Office,
Awould in the general be efficient IN the
adischarge of his duties, and Mat he should
HE ineligible thereafter, retaining however
2 line power of removal by the Legislature,
as at present provided. believe that
such term, with liberal salary, would
Hcommand the best talents for the public
aservce. A man who would take the OIL
alice on such terms, would make his ar
Z engagements accordingly and retire ut the
Nend of tue term without murmur, and
His judicial independence during the term,
would be secured.
4 Bird. am in favor of reform in the
aCouniy Court system, SO as II possible,
to make the court more prompt, cihcIcnt,
{ and regular, in the discharge OF ITS J"d'ct-
Val duties.
If A ncm system should he devised and
presented 10 nv consideration, which III
my Judgment would be better than the
County Court system, would 90 Tor II
scheerluIIy, for have no special attach
ment to the present system.
duh. am in favor of the white basis
] of representation, but with this provision
. in the constitution: that in raising rcyc-
nue. the property Of every one IN the State
should be taxed al valorem. This prln-
! ciple would operate equally all over the
I State, and protect ihG minority from une-
3 quail or oppressive taxation. Every one
would be taxed according to his means,
he tie tax /, ,, or any other per cent, on
! the value Of the property. 1t would bear
! as hardly upon one who has little, as one
who has much property, and all would
have a common interest III opposing ex-
acessive taxation.
do not consider property as the true
basis of political power, and it would be,
! in nv judgement, anli-rcpubIican, and ar
sstocralic, To make it the basis Of repre-
!sentllion in our government. The prln-
Iciple amounts TO this in effect: tbat II
3onc man has more property than another,
/ he has a right to govern him.