Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-08-14
COMMUNICATED.
TO THE VOTERS OF AUGUSTA ROCKBRlDdE AND HIGHLAND


sent YOU in part in the Convention TO be held IN Oc
tober next, to perform the important work OF amend
ing the Constitution OF the Sate feel 1t due 10 you
as we'll as myself that should announce to you IN
the most authentic form my views and opinions with
regard to, at least, the mos, important questions oil
reform now agtating the public mind. This duty
had designed to perform at the time had fixed upon
to announce myself as candidate. But the course
pursued at Public meeting held in Lexington some
lime in the last months for the purpose oil general dis
cussion, having somewhat constrained me to an
nounce myself them and having the next morning to
start to Highland, where, then Tor the first time
learned public discussion in which all the candl-
dates for the District were expected to take part was
to be held | was prevented then from executing my
purpose of addressing you through the papers. I'M
medately after my return from Highland sustained
so severe an injury in my right hand as TO be unable
TO write, indeed hardly to hold my pen for any length
of time until within some days past.
The opinions which | now announce, believe
will be found in exact accordance with those ex-
messed from the hustings in Rockbrldge and High
land in June, when first addressed them
lam for extending the right OF suffrage 10 every
free white male citizen. above the age OF q years,
who has resided a reasonable time IN the County III
which he proposes to vote, who has paid and per-
formed during the time, when required, all pubic
dues and duties, aud who has not forfeited his right
10 confidence by some infamous crime OF which ne
has been duly convicted.
Every individual released from parental authority
has natural right to govern himself. When he be-
comes a subject of government, he can only rea-
sonably and Justly be required to surrender 10 'he
government so nuch of this natural rghtas is aeces-
sary to the safety of the community. 10 withhold
from citizen the rigAt of suffrage by prohibition
b,, boon Lono toya ar1S a
siderable portion Of our c,zeas is an unnecessary re-
stricon upon this natural right OF self-control, and
subjects him 10 the control OF others without the
power Of sefprotectlon.
That the power Of those who now exclusively en-
ercse the right Of suffrage under the Constitution has
been heretofore tyrannically exercised is what
oud NOT say; but lha, 1t has not been imparially
| exercised in everv case think perfectly clear.
| This iwestimable right OF suffrage should be so
clearly defined in the Constitution as 10 make the test
of qualification of the easiest practicable application,
both at the polls aud in the event of contested E.
lection. The right ought 10 be placed beyond The con-
troll of the ordinary legislative power so as to pre-
vent them from either enlargng or curtalng The
privilege.
That the extension Of .Ae right Of suffrage ought
10 have been preceded according to the natural order
of things by more liberal system OF Education a.
mong the people so as to qualify them Tor the eXer-
else of these po4ircal rights and duties, what adj
mt but the experience of the past proves that such
a system is not likely 10 be adopted as matters now
stand.
Connected with this subject Of the elective fran
chse, is another defec,n my judgment. in the exist
inc constitution. The right OF deciding contested
elections is vested absolutely in that branch OF the
LEGISLATURE i'm relation TO a seat in which contest
arises. That more impartial and much less eXpen-
sve tribunal 10 decide strch ccnes particularly IN
times Of party excitement, might be constl'n'ed' Is
highly probable. Experience has abundantly proved,
that contests frequently gotten up on the part OF
such candidates as have not been so fortunate as 10
get the return-not from any conviction oil right 70
the RETURN but from faith in the parllallly ol those
who have the right TO decide the contest; ard olher
claims believed 10 be just abandoned Tor oPpose
reasons. In deciding all such questions, the mem
bers of the Legislature vote IN the general governed
by strict party lines Now, no maj ori,y shoul have
the mower to defeat in that way the rights OF minor
ity. Such decisions should also be made in ADVANCE
of the regular Session of the Legislature so that the
costes,sn declared TO be eatitled should be enabled
10 take his seat at the commencement OF the Session.
and his Constituents not be msrepresented through,
probably, a large part of the Session. What remedy
can be devised for this defect am not prepared 10
say but am utterly opposed to referring such ques-
lions 10 the decision Of the ordinary Judicial Trbu-
nails wish them TO be as far removed from polill-
cal and party contests as possible
am for the people electing periodically, the Clerks
of the Courts, Sheriffs, Commonwealth Attorney,
and all County officers-as they perform duties for
all they should be responsible to all-when their
election is confined 10 a small portion OF The commu-
nifty, it is easy for Them to keep fair weather with
those few, whilst they may habitually neglect their
| I....o hnfx, oil aIs pIpcDU
the Governor By the people and abolishing the En-
ecutive Council.
am either for abolishng the County Court, or
for greatly modifying i,,by diminishing lis numbers
and otherwise and for eecing them Tor longer perl
od than mere ministerial Officers, especially II JUDI
cal duties are assigned them; and Tor allowing them
moderate compensation Tor their services, so hXeo
as 10 remove all temptation 10 stir up litigation. The
County Court system was derived from our Mother
Country, and was part of the Monarchicas nstltu-
tions. Under that system their services were gratu-
itous, because they were to be performed by gentle
men, whose hereditary wealth and privileges confer
red by their system, enabled them TO 90 so without
further equivalent But as The abolition oPrlmogenl,
ture, has greatly subdiyded property with us, anu
rendered large hereditary possessions unusuai ana as
those whose property would enable them to devote
portion of their time TO the public without compen-
sation, have generally acquired their property by hab
lis OF industry, which habits almost certain to be
devoted TO its further increase il is idle any longer TO
rely on gratuitous servicesthe performance OF which
are indispensable to the general veal
The truth is; 1t is not so much matter oil surprise
TO me that the Justices have omitted 10 perform fully
their duties, as that they have so long performed
them To The extent they have, without hardly any
other obligation than the holding of the office
Under the Constitution as itnow stands, the House
of Delegates alone has power to originate Bills
the Senate being only permitted TO act as revsory
body. -,
As all large delbera,ive bodies like the lower
house, move slowly, the consequence is, that The
Senate generally, for upwards of month, after their
organization, have nothing to do, and they generally