Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-07-24

and the nomination amounts to election And who
compose the Caucus! Political partzans chosen under
lnese very party influences which much dreaded
ana majority OF the Caucus, controls the Caucus
mus In body of 700 men, 81 can elect and in an
Gus 70 can decide that &c out of 100 or one more
man one fourth, elect the Judge. This is an Ogarc
the most deteSable OF all Governments Oge of the
most eminent civilians VINO ever wrote saws flint IN n
Democracy there is more public virtue or goodness
OF intention" and in Aristocracy more wisdom,
and less honesty than in a Republic" | agree with
NM except that l do not believe the Aristocracy ia
entitled to even the partia praise which he bestows u-
on 1t. The great body OF any community is wise
ABOUT It's own interests in my opinion than any select
ed lew, and in the present day, public opinion con-
trolls even potentates But what shall we do ia this
country, where the Government rests upon the virtue
and intelligence OF the people, five dsrust those peo-
pie! II they not fit make the elections are hev
NJ TO choose the agents to make them for them! con-
less have more confidence in the choice of the people
,nuenee ana intelligence OF the country would be felt
IN every election Of Judge by the people, while il is
meyer e.. ielt IN nomination by aCaucus.
nave much difficulty the appointment Of Judges
OF the Court of Appeals My present inclination Is to
nave them nominated to the Senate or House of De-
,egales or both and confirmed or rejected by hem but
70 nold their office tor limited term and be re-eoi-
pie. Our present evils will not be removed however
ny changing the mode of appointment and the tenure OF
e du,y snouN 30 q settle principles 81 Jaw
'u ren they could do what think every ldpe sbond
49, set sometimes ut Nis Prus. The Judges in Eop
taha' and the Judges Of the Supreme Court of the Uni
eG r' @ 40 It, Judge sitting Nisi Prius with
n
SOW without appeal the best use which could he mada
1 I'M would be to turn him out The full old fash
oheo Jury trial. would preserve in all cases of fact
Whefe either party desired tand, perhaps shonId be
disposed to provide some mode of compensatnp Jurors
IL coola see how could be done without making The
noss Gn law suits too onerous But that belongs more
r. confess am very much attached to the county
Toufis, out would change their mode of appointment
mem DC elected by classes tor three or four years
50 that third or onetourh be elected each wear
ana paid by the parties, for services out of Court such
ices as the Legislature shall prescribe Clerks think
oas,a 10 De appointed by the Courts and the Sherfs
Erected Ike the Magistrates for term of two or three
years ana made ineligible afterwards Some new
oue OF appointing Sherfs be devised for no one
any one desires to retain the present mode of
appointments and but three practical modes present
themselves to me. One is, by Court another bv the
executive the third, by the People Ofthese prefer
e t last An objection to the by the Court
ton OF Magistrates. The Magistrates will be selected
not with view to their fitness Judges but as agents
tronage possible ~ ~ pN
am we'll aware that much is said about an pdepen-
Bn w 1dho s when is proposed to elect the Judges
the objection is misappled. am as much in favor Of
an independent Judiciary as any man. vould Iane
ZONE QUEER But by an independent Judiciary under
slahd Judges whose term of office and salary are fixed
Teyond any power of change for the term specified
Wel Judge elected for ten years. with fixed salary
sls as e clearly within this category Judge for HE
poses because he will be dependent upon nothine bnt
MS integrity and ability for continuance in Office As
10 10 putting man wholly beyond the reach of his own
PASSIONS ana wees, by law tenure it is impossible
GU must rely upon the nature OF man. his edncation
ana pubic sentiment involving fear of disgrace and
aIhnsnent' 10 control them And Judge for life has
oetteE opportunity and more temptation to WELD to his
and even his vices, than one whose re-eecon
VIII oepeno, not upon serving man. or one party or
any out the honesty ability industry and impar
a "y WIN "hicn ne Platforms the high duty of deciding
between al I men and ~ nartie- ia n III
tha ito tIac
ing coward, or the corrupt tool is object OF universal
scorn and detestation Yet such creatures have dis
cessiully impeached9 Shall the evil be perpetuafrd7
Again: AS to the influences OF party. 1t can only
operate in the selection of the Judge for man will
get upon the BENCH who will be such fool as to
calculate upon the current of party running in dec
ton tor ten years, any circuit OF several counties;
and unless he does thus calculate, he will have no
tH'', E SELECTION DO we moi ieeit ier lnenee
hlat green not to admit that tue Leg
stature appoints Judges from party considerations
How shall change tor the worse, then this respect
But it is said that the Judge will feel the influence OF
vote for or against him. If this be so, then every
member of the Legislature has made corrupt Judge by
voting against successful candidate and placed him
self beyond the pale the law within the circut OF that
Judge. Does any one believe this! But can any one
seriously entertain this opinion without considering his
species the vest earth? Jud aes commit perjury,
disgrace the bench, and incur the deestaton Of all good
men, with the contempt of bad ones, to crafty the
petty spite engendered by vote against him! God
forbid that should entertain such an opinion my
clearly right for it bad ENOUGH to have such crea-
lures on the bench for day. Certainly they should
not be put there for life.
A. The Legislature. | am in favor of biennial ses-
sons, and would give the Senate the same power OF orr
ginating bills that the House OF Delegates has. My
observation, while was member OF the Senate, Salts
fled me of the necessity OF this change to the utility and
respecabiy Of that body With any people, too much
legislation evil as few things are worse than I'M
stable laws Frequent changes OF the laws unsettle
rights, and produce difficulty and uncertainty Ill adludi
cations, and Virginia has been deeply its victim
would have fewer sessions, therefore, IN order that
may have fewer laws and fewer changes. And would
save the expense of long annual sessions. Ii the
people must raise the money, would be much better
expended on education internal improvements.
s. The Executive. | would abolish the Executive
Council and elect the Governor by the people for Il
term of three years. and make him ineligible alter
wards.
These, gentlemen, are my opinions upon the promi-
nen topics which would engage the attention OF the
Convention given as you see, without reserve but if
shall be honored with seat in the Convention, and
shall be convinced that any OF them erroneous,
shall without hesitation, renounce it.
There are many matters OF detail, which possesses
much interest, but in respect to which do not,thnl
that any man ought to be expected permitted
10 the least degree, to commit himself beforehand
OF public education, have said nothing Tor while
consider it subject Of great importance, think it be-
longs to the Legislative department-not the organic
With great respect, your fellow citizen,
JAMES LYONS.
RICHMOND, June "a, 1880.