Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-04-06
VOL. $40. s.
rnE svpscrARY.

The Importance Of the subject induces us
to rccur to it, even at tho risk Of being tcdi-
GUS The election Of Judges is a novel one
TO the people Of Virginia; but It is ono
Taught with far more consequences to their
happiness and peace--to the intcrna. quiet
and well being Of society, than any they
were ever engaged in. Iii is because 1t is
royel that we fear they win not be fullyalivc
to all its Importance until it be too Iatc,---
They may unwisely think that 10 more pre-
cautions are necessary in selecting Judge,
who may have 10 his hands their liberty, their
property and their lives, than ii is to choose
q gentleman to spend a pleasant wiutcr in
Richmond on oysters and ehampaigne But
they viii be vastly mistaken The Judge Of
Circuit Court holds his Office for s, and
Judge Of the Court Of Appeals for II years.
That il q long time IL the life Of an individ-
lal to be delayed Of his rights or defrauded
Of them by the ineiicieney, or drunkenness
or corruption Of Judge. A Judge has to
interpret every law Of the land. and that. as
proved BY many an instance. is even high
err function than that Of the Legislature it.
self The PLANES. provisions may be con-
strucd away by bis decisions, and tho very
law. whose miaister he processes to be. in
stead of a shield and an ark Of safety, NAY
be converted into a scourge. Suppose be is
tyranical, s or II years is long period for
freemen to hold their dearest privileges at
the mercy Of despot---fnr 1t cannot be too
| often repeated, that the redress by way Of
Impeachment is a mockery. Once elected,
for good or bad, lie is quaricred upon the
treasury for his full term, above tho people,
above all law--for he can construe it to suit
himself, to Cypress the good o. to shield the
bad Suppose he is an imbecile or drunk
ard, all the business Of the community is de-
layed, the wronged is denied redress Of ipju-
rics, and the wicked 60 unwhipt of justice.
while the shameful spectacle Of drunken
Judge brings disgrace upon the erminc.
The election Of competent and worthy At
torneys for the Commonwealth, is also INIT
ter of very high consequence to the due adj
ADMINISTRATION ofiustice Indeed it is scarce
ly Of less moment than the selection Of fit
Judges. The Attorneys for each county have
to act in both Courts, the County and Sa-
pcror aud wherever an anprincipled or in
competent one is chosen, crime is virtually
licensed in that county, during the Attorneys
| continuance in Office. We deem the same
qualifications requisite In the Attorneys
as in the Judge lie should be man learn.
ed in bis profession. Of stern integrity and I'M
shaken frmness. Without these qualities
he cannot do justice to tho Commonwealth,
and all the yiolators Of the law will be turn
ed loose upon society without restraint
To avoid the evils that must few from an
inefficient or currupt administration Of jus
tice. the people Of every county should meet
together and adopt measures for their COM
mnn protection Where there are many can
didates, an unworthy one. without concert.
may te elected. To prevent that, those who
have common interest In the faithful exc
cut mfof the laws, should unite and desg-
nafsd person able to discharge the duties 81
a Judge or Prosecuting Attorney Unless
some concerted action Of this kind is pursu-
ed, in many counties and districts VI the
State, the people may rue the day they ever
entered upon the work Of reform Rich
/ Whig.