Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-04-02
Far he ErGuirfT,
0EEICERS-THE SHERIEEALrY

COUNTY OFFICERS-THE SHERlFFALrY.
A. 4 Democratic meeting held the Isl March, 1852, at
Hcnrico county Court House for the purpose Of appointing
delegates 10 ;he State Contention Just adjourned offered
resolution that meeting be recommended on April Court
day corsc. the proptty OF naming candidates 10 MI
couny Offices under the constitution. This was
made without the iclst rrcconce.i and prompted NJ the
r;m2 ny the suggestion 0! the worthy chairman Of the meet
ingti@ulh was aware Of difference Of opinion among
Democrats tie subject, and believed this reason
justified the meeting in furnishing the proper opportunity
lr conference 10 this ems: oil enquiry aphr, The rcso
luton directed, and therefore il made general III lis
;es embracing all the county officers a. il would 'iave
been invidous and exclusive 81 ,e views OF others Ia have
restrice! IL h: Office OF slcl-hu, had, long be-
fore the meeting said should seek 10 restrict the nonina
iiuns This office there being good why the other
county Offices should not BE- filled BY competent mon o.
either party.
surprised find the resolution of conference met
b. The mst hsiy and violent opposition and SEIZED AT
HI occasion explain my view Of the subject a il
char c that seeking introduce the dagger
example Of party in Offices m;nsteIa in teir
functions and political in any wise The proprety Of
the distinction is admitted; and the conclusion that there
fore consideration .! political principle should conir"
BE- excepted ioT good rsasor.. Because OF the Eenrr
ally eit and active power vested BY law in the sheriff
and because Of the great onev power he exercises By The
Incidental advantages OF hs Office, eIpedenry im7eorsy
requires that who desires TIE supremacy oi his par
~ should BE willing have them placed in the hands OF our
opponents.
in his Iacary caTacit" as administrator under certain
circumstances OF The OF decedents conrcts and IN
persons and collector and receiver OF publ: cues.
most important State and judicial agent affecting directly
the interests OF all; and IL. this reason tho community
sh"u! be careful that more but honest anc caa bic men shall
receive their ,ar1gcS. But these various and serious Gu
lies have been imposed BY tie law without correspond
ing powers their dgen and decisive discharge
ai;; and II is the practical influence upon the people. in
the cse.ciSe OF ihcs powers that desire specially
y attention. He carrie. with him the direct authority
Of law the moral sanction Of society and be called the
embodiment Of sovereign power enforcing lis demands for
The good o. society. That all pervadrg and Invisible pre-
o: constitutional and municipal authority thus prac-
tcay made known and felt BY citizen and he instinc
lively transfers 70 the officer al the influence and dignity
with which his Imagination inves. the law. Though
the executive head may BE- distant or the Judicial lr.
bunal uEknoH still the commani Of the one or the nt
ments OF the o,hc-, :o- his o. his property - VA
SANITY o5r.rd The sheriff then goe. anon" the people IN
discharge Of his duties clothed with great Influence
vit'ue oicii and the ayors tina; he extends constantly
in making his collections oi taxes &C, ey giving ne,
day future OCCASION paying inen'
himself lays the recipients under Obligations which are -"
often decisive Of their liberty franchise. DO condemn
ts On the conaryl commend il: because the general fa-
ing community ha, ba little ready money, and that e
At certain periods al the year. when they sell their produce
pIr side and not against u.s. DO not charge the shcrs
with extending lie faroT create The power OF the obga
on f1 know the necessities Of country people require
these aror: 5G, the power is nsensloy et and exercised
Suppose. while This litigation exists, election occurs
goes tho polls and finds TIL. sheriff crying
The vg:rs-e nltIcs; Ecvice will know ka, in many in
stances the power the existing obligation will be decisive
prevent voting altogether vote in accordance with
political op;acn5 OF tic sheriff This Is one instance Of
Let ~ point OUT great money power The se!! WELLS
II j. well that large Of The puel!c dues (cOec
lions Of taxes fines officers fees licences, &c. pass
;hroua. the =ac.iis hands annually; and beng
airsd oy iaw reader bis stated periods he
the command Tor part OF the Of mach ready cap
lta which notorious lie his benefit. 1t Is
.ked how L.. he victim of tie rapac!oGS custom Of
gsuIY answer how Tie rs in he tel! Ok he spider is
~; securely corn4, certain o. destruction
him who has Lad light thread dread OF silver wound
about him till il makes The strong Ehr chain VI his bon
Gage. Bling perfect" acquainted with The pecGn!arr
an oi every in his COUNTY the power %! his ct.i,l
morev !.n". i directed with ard auc
essfli effect. The Sier! knows vino and how
lorrwh0 halter Tor .G!cr advantage and who 10 ui
re UlT;eIY under his hunl5 Why this Office eagerly
sought il IS f4rmed and prices paid entirely be"onc
its legitimate emo!uments il il tor these powers ar
privileges OF Office Let none &c dccc!red Even
SEQ s!-clun h:G oils Giscaimng their candidate ,ns
o!ious AM oppressive Practice cn FOX lie air2ges oi
H.. peorc The speak LOUD and .rur OF the miners.
ncv ROVER this oicr-he tyranny The creditor a;l
ne Ster he needy teb;o.-over the liberty O.. is
opinion wei! "a bis property.
will G:sif with citing a;tcniOn 20 the power
=: deciding tie IN his county. vested IN h@ Sheriff
mos important and ~ which the sIii age 0:
2a.ty opposed him. politically is 5icn ssde-a POKER
conferred public tunconary \ Governor fills facsa
g only un the proper appointing pn"ers in session, 81:
me certificate the Sheriff decides representative ch.Iac
sr i whole Term the cice II "a &c hoped that he
Cen. Assembly wi repeal this feature Of sn;
e law and MAKE all such eiera5c Tie people for
ice sion.
aave mad this sxposfioa invite rei=ctioa and rjG:
lcon and farther f the designing and d.! Tho
.ous o. The iaschopt y sell and those who voted Sh
me- were King se!-h and nsca!Cv0gs purposes. h1re
not sought divide avoid ali proper responsibility 20:
acts and words as am conscious Of seeking The truth y
none but honorable means.
HESEIco, March Sgth, 1859 JOHN Il. PARhHlLL.
-<ss~---
The proceedings OF tie Senate ere unaroidably crowded