Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-10

COMMU NIC ALTON
THE VOTERS OF HIGHLAND, AUGUSTA AND RocKBRlDoE.

Fow C,r1zyNs II HAVE consented TO become
candidate for seat in the Convention called TO amend The
Constitution of Virginia, and deem 1t my duty frankly
declare the opinions which will guide my course should
be your pleasure 10 elect me-
The neople of the Commonwealth, by their representa-
lives are about to assemble in Convention agree upon the
principles by which they will be governed and TO appoint
such agencies as will best carry into effect the principles in
which they may concur. The people are to establish
Government for themseves-for their wefare-for
their own security That government then, should be the
emanation of the popular will and in accordance with the
wishes of those who are to feel its burdens and enjoy its
BLESSINGS Hence it will be my duty, if am elected to
reflect your opinions by my votes and to urge your views
by my arguments and should it so happen which do moi
anticipate that owing change of opinion my part
cannot conseenousy represent your ascerned views and
opinions it will be my duty to resign my seat in order that
you NAV select some who will act for you you may
desire Such is my opinion of representatives. duty, and
think it entirely proper 10 say in advance that if elected
will perform that duty.
One of the fundamental principles Of our institutions u.s.
that call power is vested in and consequently derived from
the peope that Magistrates their trustees and
and a all times amenable TO them. would give eficen-
cy as far practicable to this theory in the practice the
government by imposing direct responsibility to the peo
pie upon their public servants
AS cardinal article would declare that the Legis
ative. Executive aud Judiciary departments shall be sep
arate and distinct that neither shall exercise the powers
properly belonging either of the others and that the
beers of each department shall be appointed by and amenabe
to the people
q Suffrage should be uniform ard nearly practical
ble universal Every free white male person, of sound
mind and not convicted of crime, who has been citizen
OF the State for twelve months and resident Of the Coun
y in which he offers vote, for six months, and who pays
taxes bears arms works on the highways should be en-
titled 10 the right of suffrage No man should vote in more
than one County at the same election.
g. Representation should be equal and based upon the
number Of the free white population. 1t were mockery
to extend the right of suffrage unless given number OF
portion Of the State be entitled 10 the same rep
resenative power with equal number elsewhere. My
opinions on this subject well known and will not be
rendered upon the challenge Of our opponents And yet
am not to be considered advocating dipon Of The State
in case fail to accomplish what DESIRE mean only 10
say that will not go into the battle with my flag lowered
in token that am ready to surrender II The West VIII
stand firm and united in attitude OF faction or revolution
but as men who know their rights and knowing dare main
tain them believe Ser and just principle Of represen-
tation will be secured.
A. The Governor should be elected by the people. He
should be ineligible any other office during the term Tor
which he may be elected. would not enrust him with
the veto power The Council Of State should be abolished
s. The Sessions Of the General Assembly should be lin
tied to prescribed period and be held in two years
the number of members might be reduced The power of
appointment should be Withdrawn, far practicable,
from the Legislature and given 10 the people There should
be property qualification for delegates 10 The General AS
| sembly.
g. The Governor Judges, Justices ofthe Peace, Clerks,
Shers Constabes and other ministerial officers should be
elected directly by the people and for limited terms
i T. Fhe County Cour, system should be abolished or
greatly modified. Each County should be divided into
townships or districts each Of which the people should
elect Constable and prescribed number of Justices
Probate Court should be established having jurisdiction OF
Of ducary character such as the prooat Of Wills
granting letters Of administration and The settlement OF the
accounts of Executors, Administrators Guardians, lrus
tees, &c.
s. The General Assembly should be required to provide
for the education of the people.
THE JUDICIARY.
g. have said that the Judges should be elected by the
people for limited erms-,hey should also be re-eglbe
The term Of office should be sufficiently long TO give siab
y the Judiciary and yet short enough to bIng The Judg
es periodically under the quiet and correcting influence e
the ballot box and thus 20 create practical and an eilcen
responsibility.
The tenure of the judiciary is the great issue in this
test and upon this SUBJECT desire 10 give few reasons
for my opinions Ii striking fact that Ia each OF the
twenty one States of the Union which have, duIng e
las twenty years. remodeled their Constitutions 'he life
or good behavior tenure, earnestly coended Tor by
some in Virginia, has, by common consent been abandoned
The starting point in these States the concession that
the Judges should hold their Offices only for limited term
of years. and that The life good behavior tenure an OBJ
solee idea in republican government. Such was the posi-
ton of he eloquent Garre Davis the distinguished opPo
nent of Reform in the Kentucky Convention He contend
ed that the should be limited but that the people should
not trust themselves to make the eecons-that they should
delegate that power away from themselves 10 their agents
"a majority of 80 900 of the people of Kentucky thought
otherwise and retained the power. Elsewhere, as have
said the contest has been not concerning the tenure oil Oh
fee which all conceded should be for term OF years. but
in regard 10 the mode Of appointment, some advocating the
appointment by the Legislature, others by the Governor,
others by the Governor and Senate and the greater num-
Der by the people, In this district however, 1t IS known
that the good behavior tenure, rejected elsewhere 10 by
some insisted and the appointment by the people, re-
sisted elsewhere, is adopted and approved
1t would SEEM upon principle, that those who concede
that the people, whose interests are directly involved III e
prompt efficient and impartial administration OF juscear
wise and vuous enough select an nfr'ed man TOT inc
hiqh office of Judge ought concede likewise the capacity
and yuous readiness of the people TO continue In OIL
fee judge who has been tried and found 10 be faithful I'm
partial and able Yet we hear some contend strenuously
that the neople OUGHT TO elect their Judges but that would
he danrerons to liberty public morals and to the purity of
Justice TO trust the people elect them This Is ndeed,
ground fight upon and discusses now tenacious
y cling TO Anticipated opinions when Inc reasons oi
those opinions are surrendered.
Again The evidence before the people shows that the
life or good behavior tenure has been tried and found ncr-
abv defective and that nine States in the Union cling TO
i-hree of which about, as believe by Conventional
reform 10 throw aside That evidence also dscl0ses lhat
in those States where the term tenure has been tried me
Judiciary previously inefficient and slow in lis movements
has been aroused from opor, and exalted IN character anu
made energetic prompt and efficient Read the evidences
of Quitman Fooe, Dickinson and others on this point
The contest waged elsewhere with success between things
as they have and sound principles which lead change
is now waged in Virginia the result depends upon lhe
rmness good sose and virtue of the people they per,
nit themselves to be eered by pecedens and the author
ity of great names they will adhere to the lille tenure The
Judiciary and the authority would aslen upon them
freehold or restricted suffrage the County Court system as
Il s and other long and cherished features Of our Cons
In respect to the Judiciary the points conceded, are first
that the peope should elect second that the good behavior
tenure with present Constitutional provisions TO secure re-
spousib,y, will not answer; and third mat some method
mus, be adopted to render the judiciary efficient aud prompt
The nresen constitutional provisions secure Responsible
ty are first, impeachment for corrupon neglect OF du'y,