Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-05-05
Justices of the Peace.

Of all the offices to be filled, at the coming cleo
ton, there is none in which the people are more
directly and deeply interested than that of Justice
Of the Peace, and none which they should endeav-
or more earnestly to fill with the very best men tc
be found in the County. We fear the people dc
not estimate properly te magnitude of the inter
ests, both public and private, that are to be conf
ded to this class public servants and would urge
upon them the importance of awakening to live
iier and more general interest in tseir selection.
1t is common, bat very erroneous notion, tina,
any and every man is fit to be Magistrate.
moments reflection, however, will convince every
man, that the qualifications requisite to the proper
discharge of magisterial duties are by no means
common. As eonservator of social order and pub
lie morals, the magistrate should himself be man
OF unsupported moral character, unyielding firm
ness and strict impartialty. In his judicial capa-
city, differences between man and man must be
coafided to his decision. To his arbitrament in
cases of litigation are to be entrusted your rights Of
property and person and in criminal cases where
death, the County Court has sole jur.sli on. To
the Justices are confded the delicate trust of APP
poftioning the County levy, appropriating monies
from the treasury, and the control of many other
great public interest, which requires the soundest
Judgment and the most incorruptble integrity. 1t
will be seen at once, from this brief enumeration
of the powers and prerogatives of the Justice that
so far from being an office of minor Importance,
suited to the capacity and character of all men,
comparatively few are fitted for the discharge
of its responsible duties.
The office is not one of emolument, and it has
been feared, that, on this account, qualified men
will not be found willing to accept it, Our opin-
ion is that it should be neither sought nor summed
The man who would maneuvre and work the
wires for the purpose of securing his election as
Justice of the Peace, is not fit for the office of tip
staff of the Court to which he aspires. Persons
who pursue such a course are influenced by petty
ambition, to acquire the title of Esquire s. sordid
desire to obtain three dollars day for their services
rather than laudable wish to be useful to the
public We doubt not, however, that if the office
is rendered to men of responsibility and standing it
will not be declined.
The plan already adopted in several of the Dis
tricts strikes us as very good one. Let public
meetings be held, and the names of twelve men
be suggested as the most suitable to be voted for.
From these twelve, the four most judicious, i'm
partial and reliable men in the District, will GER
tainly be selected. If any person who is not nom
mated by these primary meetings desires the office,
let him announce himself as a candidate, and sub
nit his claims 10 the decision of the people, and
they will be none the less fairly considered be-
cause he comes out con his own hook"
If this plan is adopted by the people of all the
Districts, the Court of Augusta will be composed
of the very best men in the County; men in whom
we can confde with the assurance that justice will
be melted out to all alike. Ifsome such plan isnot
adopted we very much fear the result, and the
people may depore it when too late to remedy the
| evil.