Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-07
The Recen, state Elections.

The, Recent State Elections.
The people have for the FIRST time exercised
the pow err delegated to them by the New Con
srifurion. Of choosing their Judicial and county
officers; and how that the results are being fas,
made known. few thoughts on the isdica-
tons far tic future which these results afford
will not be amiss.
We hesitate not to say. that they excite
pleasant hopes for the time to come. The ex-
iraordinary RISK for offccs-however petty.
(which reminded MS OF Dickens guard for the
competition was symptom which we think
will he confined to the FIRST year or so Of the
new operations. "Disarpoin'men's sink the
heart il is said, and it is inferable that those
once bsdly disappointed will not be disposed
10 try again; and so--if as many candidates
continue 10 swarm at every elc, ton as did in
the recent contest, it will not require many
years to disaPp"int the "'ao'e population. But
apart from building any hopes on that f'unda-
ron-as the novelty Of the matter wears or
AMI the uncertainty Of success, With the lahors
and nnnuyanccs of clcctoneering come 10 be
appreciated. We opinc. only those who pos
scss some show of qualification, aud therefore
have something Substantial to depend upon,
viii announce themselves; or if others do, the
people will have learned to administer prompt
rebuke TO their pretensions. As the number
Of candidates diunishe., the prospect Of OBJ
tanning officers qra'fed for M.;r dut;rs III in.
crease 1t viii doubtless no somewhat sur.
rrising to those who have anticipated such
dircful results from the new order Of things,
that large majority of the old officers have
been retained. And our observation goes to
sirow that those retained have generally been
the most competent True il is, that several
| worthy and able officers have been elected, and
their places filled in some instances by men en-
tirely destitute Of qualification; but We venture
the assertion that few, il any in office who were
incompetent have been retained. The "new
broom" has swept all such from their long.
tenante1 premises. and if it has unfortunately
caught in the brush and carried along alto some
raluobie officers, this must be attributed to the
unskiluI handling,,he awkwardness of FIRST use,
rather than to any defect in the broom itself
In all minister l Offices hich can he executed
by deputy. the election OF a man unacquainted
with the duties Of his office. may he atoned Tor
in some measure by procuring good deputies.
while the principal is learning those duties. and
thus the evil lie mi'igated; for era i, is-and
ought TO be corrected and must, if We would
have perfect government.
The.Iudiciary has been preserved pure. We
doubt whether an ADLER bench ever existed in
the days vi hen elections were made by the
Lcgsiature-at least recent days; and much
better remedy is provided for the removal Of
an incompetent Judge who has rendered him
selfso after his elevation 10 his post A man
will not be allowed TO drag out three score
years Of imbecility or bad .hahifs--because of
the cumbrous, unpleasant and almost imprac'i
cable method Of impeachment. Eight years
or twelve at most wll be the boundary Of his
power to do harm or do nothing. the case
may be; and should his character be spotless
and yet his adm Illustration Of justice be any
way deficient. the substitution of an ADLER and
more energetic man is rcicf.w hich could new
err be lad under the old Constitution. With a
pure Judiciary. securing faithful and correct
execution of the laws, and insuring protection
to life and property, We fear nothing from the
occasional bad choices in minor Offices. The
county magi>tracy we think ill be improved
BY every successive election. The use which
the people have made of their power in this re
spec, is gratifying.
Nevertheless We have heaal Of decided in
dica,ions OF ole rery bad thing. We mean
combinations bctw cen candidates to elect each
other, and defeat aspiran,s who would other
wise succeed. We trus, this will he crushed
in lis infancy. Such man9uvring FASTENED
the removal Of the elective power from the
hands Of the Legislature. Logrolling had
found its way from internal Improvement bills
to judicial elections. We hope it may never
get out q the Legislature. We never wish to
see its corrupt visage among the people. We
heartily detest it, |, is death to all fairness and
purity in the elective franchise. We infinitely
prefer resorting to party distinctions. draw ing
broad line which nobody can cross without
DESERVING his party aud electing all Wigs in
Wig counties. and all Democrats in Demo
cratic counties. simply because they are Ways
or Democrats Anythiagis preferable to cheat
ing and deceit. We have confidence in the
people. that all such cen juct when exposed
will forever brand the parties guilty Of it.
North Carolina.
The Wings Of North Carolina are de'ermin-
ed to reclaim their lost ground in that State