Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-02

lad but Too much reason 10 know they fe,rny 4, a,t
h"n personal considerations, upon party grounis-aldcl
ahy lhltn tnces IN Short rut those c should control ,c
ACTON ~ Ne discharge vi this most delicate and mS0nan,
ns' ai'h tie people OF the Circuit the other hand til,
caro "id,'y dereEt. They have direct and powerful
interest III Tie proper selection of who pass upon
questions affecting their fortunes ard their lives The
icSns from an !ndic0us unworthy appointment uHb,
.HN nPo ahisereS; and inlny judgment, that tazlrd VII
!"' ~ hsh? incurred All tanks ard conditions OF men
me fch ana Inc poor, the powerful and the humble the y
conS ai e 'T'ous, are alike interested in the prompt
elch' 'e Impartial administration o. justices and can
Secciy oc supposed that they WILL by the election no
RANT incompetent or corrupt Judges subject themselves To
"ht mas been justly described the greatest scou-r an
cry Heaven ever inflicted an un.raefu and rnin
people. would nave The Judges, then elected hy REQ
"" o me several Circuits, and would have the judicial
kept separate and distinct from ali others, that
''y my pe "iiuawn, aS lar as practicable from the inn-
rs's a;a eAclelens ot party strife and the people may
bc enabled IN the discharge OF this mast important uiy II
ct WIN single sc 10 The qualifications of those mnon
ihev may select. The Judicial tenure shoud c sn,b a m
a'o tne extremes oI dependence the one hand m rs
ioisi'hty on the other. 1t should be such as secure
proper cegrce OF independence in the officer while III.
same time II protects tile community from these evils (w
neh 'rremedl1ble which, under existing circumstances an
nutcious selection is entail upon them The in,
,endehee ana cicency OF the Judiciary should be frle
Securelby Sed and adequate saarics such will comma
professional talents Of the highest order and will afford am
pie compensation for the strenuous ard unrcit,ed devotion
ii those talents 10 the public service.
WIN respect ~ the Judges OF the court ot APPEALS the
Jurisdiction pcrvades the whole State and alike ever,
citizen within lis borders They only decide upon enes
tons arising III every potion vi the State but Their !cc
So:> A The rules o property and ascertain thu Law for IN,
wnc,c state. The rpiE,.tn of these officers therefore
ma! ilrS, be properly leit where il is now placed viii
ins representatives OF thc pcoic who will exercise
hAs no. as III The ease OF the circnit lud.es whu
practical responsibility but under the highest responsibility
;i,, can attach 10 their action in any case.
The principal objection The present county court sys
tens Ieaiea 10 the mode in which justices are appointed
ih The organization oi The court is preserved and
ed lhis think suaii be changed and tie Justices be elect
Cd ey Inc people OF The Severa Counties BIT with HIS and
aach Other notifications time ana experience may sun
es am decidedly i'll avor Of rc.anin. the county courts
RI gard tcln IS insti;uoEstIme onurcd and wlicu na
grown wh our go" I'll, and ngced with our strengths
and wh!9l in MANY respects admirably adaot u, 10 ~,
wants and ~ The genius OF people. Srch institutions
like all else OF human invention BIZ liable 10 occa.icnn
'sc but ih"y s9ud not on that account be lightly dis
carded nor DISCARDED II ALL unless are quite sure lha; ",
can substitute some hing better in their stead
am in favor Of TIE election Of the Governor by the peo
pc II thefe bc any point 'sGch Judging iro! nf
cations In every quarter general concurrence o vpio,
mas expected II is upon the proposition tile first Ex,cu
tive officer should be elected innt datc by the cons,
cnt body When ihe proposition brought forward in
me convention OF 1872 It was lost in committee oi the
Whole only by the casting vote of the chairman the vote
standing - 10 40 and Mr. Madison voting in the affirmative
III our sister otdes Win scarcely all exception the Cavern
is elected BY the people. aud aware of no sufficient
reason why the sane should be adopted here
anow Is said hat the present system is advantageous
10 tie East, but confess not disposed attach any
go, IMPORTANCE TO this consideration, when advert tine
c; that under this sysen our Governors have been taken
ATHEIST exclusively from the West. Lockn. to the expert
cncc I" The st twenty years, il may, think bc ia ~ af
rmcd that In. East has nothing lose in this respect by
popullf c.ecllon-cspccaly if the Executive Council be
abolished (as think il shoGd) and the Governor and lieu.
tenant Governor be taken alternately the d;ercn;
tons 81 tho State.
am decidedly opposed any enlargement. OF Executive
power and patonagc-tur hold il 10 be fundamental pn-
cpc o. Tree government that power and patronage should
Is af ~ praccabi he localized and dispersed among ma
ny, not centralized and concentrated IL the hands of few
AAcpcrecc teaches that by an Impulse certain and ire
iStloc rs Tie laws ri gravliaon concentrated patronage
,Ed5 10 corruption, and in no respect have oreatcrs
displayed wiser forecast than in their sudous Efforts
strict n: powers y! the Executive within the narow limits
Compatible with te Lac efficiency Of that department oil the
public service.
have thus, fellow Citizens as briefly as ssibl but
cc with sLfcicn, sncncss, presented do you the opa
ians entertain the pronineat subjects ia; may
be expected engage the deliberations of the approaching
COnl ca,iona BODY % which il wuGl no perhaps be 10.
in too far 10 say that il is destined in lis action exercise
important influence the fortunes Of tie State
thar assembly that has convened within 's limits since
tc adoption OF the Federal Constitution. These opinions
such rs they arc have not been hastily assumed vii
they he lightly abandoned. They embrace what witt. al
difference 10 The opinions o othcrs conceive essential
reforms in Tic existing state Of hngs-rcforgs which, in
my humble Judgment the public sentiment approves and the
hlc voice demands. H. with e opinions thus expressed
be the pleasure oi he people Of this district ado 20 c
many Obligations already received al their hands; by confer
ri. the distinguished honor of seat in the Convcn
l:on only promise that effort shall be wanting or
my part acGut myself III the discharge of that mos
important and responsible trust satisfy generous
stucncy that their confidence has been altogether mis-
plced. ROBERT g. STANiRD.