Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-05-19
Fm. The Spectato,'

.Messrs EditorS.--1 too ain ''a farmer" plain
farmer mot in the habit writing for the Press, or
taking busy part in elections; but in urapproach-
ing election, | do feel deep interestgrowing how
ever out of no relationship to any of the candidates.
| regard the office Of clerk of cur courts as
among the most. indeed if not the most, important
of any we shall be called on to fill at the approach
ing election-one in which every man, woman g.
child in the County has an interest, direct or re-
mote and consequently for which we should dill
gently seek out for the best talent and most eX-
perience we can command to fill them. the moro
especially SO at this crisis when weare about pac-
ing upon tho Bench comparatively young and in
experienced gentleman, i'll leu of the old Justices.
1t seems to me that their interests as well as that
of the county will or may be promoted by having
for their clerks those who are conversant with the
practice and proceedings of Courls-those who are
acquainted with the proper forms for the numerous
and important orders to be drawn up.and bonds to
DO taken. was much struck with an article
which appeared in the Richmond Wing, some
weeks since on this subject. 1t expresses so much
better than am capable of doing, my views that
must ask you to- give it an insertion in your nxet
paperas follows:
1.-The present Constitution makesit the duty Of
the people to elect their county officers, and we
presume that the Legislature, now in session, will
direct the elections to fake place in some short
time. Among the various officers to be elected,
is that of the Clerk of the Circuit and County
Courts--in our opinion the most important and re-
sponsble office in the county, so far as the inter-
est of the people is concerned. There is no other
office in which the whole people Of the county are
50 directly and vitality interested in having filled
by an honest, experienced, and competent person.
All the Deeds and frequently contracts, receipts,
and other papers, are lodged in the Clerks office,
for preservation and safe keeping. 1t is not suffi-
cient that the person appointed to the Office, should
be honest and upright, but the interest of the peo
pie absolutely requires he should be careful, pru
dent, and experienced. The duties Of Clerk diff
fer from those of any other officer in the county,
and we do respectfully hold, that no person can
properly perform those duties, unless he has had
previous training; and the Clerks office is the on
iy place where he can acquire the necessary infor
nation. No farmer would think of employing
Doctor to bring suit in Court, or fee lawyer to
attend patient, or ask the opinion of merchant
as to the proper mode ofcultivating tobacco. And
vet it is as absolutely essential tomake good and
useful Clerk to be regularly trained TO the business,
as it is for doctor or lawyerto study his profess
sion in order to qualify himself for practice. All
the pursuits of life requresome preparation to
coed or to be useful t. the community, and we
honestly think that there is no office in the gift of
the people which demands more preparation, than
that of Clerk of the Circuit Court. We would In
finitely prefer an incompetent Judge to an neXpe-
rienced and careless Clerk. for the errors Oh the
Judge may be instantly corrected by the lawyers
employed in the case, who are always present
when decision is made or decree entered but
not so with the Cerk-he may commit plumbers
in writing up the orders in Court.or errors in talk
inc the wrong steps in suits in the office, which
may produce great delay, and injury to the parties
interested; or if he is negligent and careless, may
lose papers in important causes (tor all papers IN
Chancery suits are entrusted to him. which can
never be replaced MIDDLE RIVER.