Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-06-10

believed 10 nave been written by loHN LEIGH
Err, was crowded OF, Of our last paper After
having discussed subject on which all are a.
greed, the writer proceeds
End. We maintain that SheriTs ought to be
| elected by the people, and thus put an end to
the present mode OF appointment which is we
believe universally regarded as highly obnoxious
to public censure, and condemnation. Under
The present constitution, the Magistrates receive
the appointment of Sheriff, as a compensation
for their services and then farm it to those per-
sons as deputies who will pay the highest price
Tor the term Those who can afford to pay the
highest price, are frequently persons least deserv-
ing the place; and in order TO save themselves
III the transaction, the money must be extracted
from the yeomanry of the country, either by
shaving paper, or in some other manner The
people mus bear the burden--for there is no
olnef source from which the money can be OBJ
tanned.
This officer is directly and intimately connect
ed with the people and their interests; and he
should be responsible 10 them at stated periods.
They should have the opportunity of expressing
their opinion at the Polls because their interest,
would always prompt them to make choice OF
man whose capacity, integrity and humanity.
qualified him for tire office, But, is it so, with
the Magistrate who sells it? Does he who has
been looking toward 10 the Sherflalty, for TWEEN
ty years or more, as the reward for services rem
deIed, think of anything else than his own inte-
rest & what interest prompts him,to realize from
1.-THE highest price, which it can command in the
market. The consequence is therefore, that the
f!Ish-Sneriif receives in nearly every instance
almost it not altogether, the aggregate amount
OF fees, which can be realized during the term
Such system is radically wrong, and every
man Of intelligence and observation knows it to
be so. In our own country for some wears
past, we have had excellent Sherifs, who have
discharged their duty TO the public satisfaction.
This Tact howevever is not to be considered
necessary result OF tie present system Very
far from it. They have been good officers IL,
does not affect the principle for which we con-
tend, and which rests upon the secure basis, of
justice anG right.
3D.. The Clerks Of Our Superior and County
Courts occupy very important posts. Nearls-
every man Ill the community, has in some way
or other, something to do with these officers
His business transactions connect him with them,
either directly or indirectly Such officers must
always exist-and as they are appointed for the
convenience OF the people, tor the management
OF their important business. and the promotion
Of their interests, ought not the people upon all
sound principles TO be invested with the power
OF making he selections The Clerks are mere
ly Agents-the people bring Principals; and
will it be, or can it be gravely contended in
this Republican county, that the principals shall
be denied voice. in the appointment of their
dgentsa Why should the people oe stripped Of
this right and an Irresponsible Judge and an IT.
responsible Magistracy clothed with it? Is
there the slightest reason to believe that the
~ more faithfully, or more ipdiciously, than the
people themselves
We advocate the change upon the ground that
it restores to the people, the exercise of Right,
OF which they have been deprived, without even
a show ct reason or justice, to warrant it. Let
the people elect them for limited term, and
we carry out the Republican principle which
lies at the foundation of our institutions take
from irresponsible hands,a power which can OH
ly be safely exercised by the sovereign people
Who have no interest TO abuse it-who have mo
friends to reuaYd, and no enemies to punish"
Alb. The election of Justices of tie peace bv
the people, is another measure Of Reform imper-
atively demanded by public sentiment The
mode In which they are now appointed, is liza
Bile to many and insupefable objections, and
hence the people are calling aloud in all parts
of the State for change. When Justices Of the
peace are to be appointed, the people are not
consulted. The individual most acceptable to the
Mag istrates themselves, are recommended to the
governor lof commissions, and 1t not untrequent-
ly happens that those recommended, are by no
means the persons best qualified either by their
talents or requirements for the office. 10 this
mode of appointment, we are mainly, if not en-
tirely indebted, for the strong family influence
that is too often found upon the bench of the
County Court. Fathers and sons-brother.in-
law and nephews-c and connexions by
marriage are found to constitute the Magistracy
In too many of our counties; and it ever will be
so until the people take the matter into their
own hands, and break ur this family Arstocra-
cy that holds the chief places of honor and dis
tinction. 1t sometimes happens too, that a po
htcal party, gets the majority on the Bench, and
that political complexion, is regularly preserved
in all subsequent appointments. This result.
may be attributed to accident or it may be al
trihuted TO design. 1t is not necessary for me to
undertake 10 decide whether we are indebted
for it, to the former or the latter.
THE GALPHlN UNIT.