Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-08-14

first, is totally immaterlal The length OF the ses'
sion would be considerably diminished in this way
and considerable expense avoided. This cnahge
would be calculated to secure wiser system oil leg
islation.
am in favor of Biennial Sessions of the Leglsa-
ture It may fairly be presumed that our system Of
laws having some of them, been tested by the exPe
rience of ourselves and our mother Country, from
whom we derived them, for centuries, and others oil
our own adoplion having been the subject OF repeat
ed revisals have arrived such degree OF periec-
ton as at least not to require that eternal annual INK
erng which they are now exposed to, particularly
when it is conceded maxim by all wise law-glyers
that the certainty of the law is of at least as much
Importance as its justice and policy
But in order TO effect this change will be abso-
lutely necessary according to my experence,sha an
other reform should be adopted, which is: that the
Legislature should be stripped of all power TO pass
any laws Of mere local and personal bearing They
should be confined to legislation of general concern
ment / would refer 10 some other tribunal The ad-
Indication of all claims against the Commonwealth !;
all petitions for divorces and all applications for acts
of interpretations beside various others OF similar
character under some general law prescribing the OBJ
jects terms ard conditions upon which they should
be granted or decided.
This last change should be effected independent OF
its adoption with view to Biennial sessions whilst
Legislature is confined to subjects in which all are the
interested a may expected TO pay that degree oi at
ention necessary to enlighten legislation, Tor all would
incur responsibility to their constituents from which
they could not escape. But with regard to mere per-
sona local questions the case is entirely different
Who would expect that body composed oil l34
members should examine into the documents and
- xyhich nj unlrenupntlV n
mounts to less than 50or into the merits ofpeitions
for divorces of parties they never saw. They are
compeled. in such cases, in nine cases out OF ten.
TO act upon faith in othersand not unrequeny those
others interested in misleading them. On the subject
ofgranting divorces,f are 10 follow the example OF
other States in this confederacy,as We are now doing
the matrimonial conract,upon the sacred character oil
which the whole system ofhuman virtue hinges, and
consequently all free institutions, that compact
will be AS fra as any other
| am in favor Of apporloning the representation IN
both branches of the Legislature upon the white ba-
sis.apd the white basis alone The question between
the east aud the west is not open one. The first
Constitution after the Declaration of independence,
(which was the original contracD In declaring that
majority had a right 10 change the constitution at
Measure, would seem to settle it forever The al
eced Ground of our eastern brethren claiming great
or Droportion Of the representation than their white
nopuIs,ion entities h,em.is wholly unlenable They
saw il is to protect them against undue taxation 1or
purposes ofinternal improvements they owning much
the greater portion of property particularly oi GER
tain description Now have no faith in any sys-
,em of Government that does not afford ample pro-
lection to property, for if property rights are not
safe. no other rights can be long safe But as they
claim only protection, that protection be glveG
in no other shape than in an excess OF representation
over the other sections by the possession OF which hey
will not only be enabled to project their propertybut
a. the same time to control and govern the rest oil
the State in every other respect whatever, whether
has relation TO the protection OF properly or hotE--
Protection being the end aimed at, tic means ought
IN he. il would seem, strictly limited 10 that end
If Ibis danger really exists, that means can be de-
vised which will afford ample security against undue
taxation, il seems TO me does not admit oil doubt,
and that too not by Incorporating any novel prlncl-
,,e in the Constitution. Let the Constitution pro-
vide and require that the al valorem system oil taxa
ton shall be adopted; that every species OF properly
ovcent articles of an nconsiderabe value, Shall pay
to their assessed value rule that ought
10 he adopted as to all property as II IS now done IN
reference 10 lands. But without such system oil taX-
a,;on does any man believe that the entire Valley OF
Viroinia. and considerable portion oil the Trans
Alleghany Counties who have now got nearly all the
;mnrovements thew want either completed or in the
nrooress of completion, that they will lend their asss-
lance to impose improper burdens upon themselves as
well as their Eastern brethreM for the making lni-
proyements in which they can have no manner OF per-
sonal INTEREST," The supposltlon Is Preposerous Dis
guise the question then as they may. is mol mere
question Of protection OF property, but queslloh oi
power: Whether the West with, near 4oo,oOO ma
oritv of white populationsha be subject 10 the ab-
suuIe control OF the East or whether they shall en-
oy their due proportion of political power IN the GO
yernment In my opinion, the West cannot surrender
one lot or one title OF their rights TO equal represent
talon on the white basis, without dishonor; having
the natural right, and that guaranteed by the Consll-
slituiion they are not eXpeceu " yieiu W Suaa
gainsl imaginary dangers.
As nv sentiments on the basis question indicate,
am for system of ad valorem taxation, making
every species of property domestic and other articles
of inconsderable value excepted bear It's due proper
on. This principle is necessary protect parllcu-
lar interests, which may happen 10 be weak, against
oppression by llIu exercise Of The taxing power
propefty is the source from which nearly all the
revenues of the commonwealth should be drawn, but
A small proportion should ever be raised by tax on
persons and to guard against abuses, such as actual
jv exist under our present laws, this small amount
should bear fixed proportion 10 the lax on prop
erty.
JUDICIAL TENURE.
Entertaining the belief that our present judicial
system is greatly defective, am in favor oil some
radical changes in regard TO it, That large proper
ton of its defects come within the scope OF the rem
edial powers Of the existing Legislature nave not
a doubt and that so far the existing Constitution
no, irsilv clargeable with lhems
But there are others Of great magnitude which a
rise from defects in the organic law and consequent
" beyond the reach Of the remedial powers oil 'l'e
Legislature. These delecs,in my opnlon,arlse from
the mode of appointment Of Judicial officers and from
the tenure of their Offices.
am for elecng all Judicial oficers,lrom the highest
to the loves. by the peopeor periods OF from TO ~
wears The Justices by the coulies the circutJudges