Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-04-30

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4 Axssrs. Editors:-rI am glsd ossee that W,
3 havea candidate insthe field for the sheriffalty
who declares,i If elscted, hs.will be tAs-'sheriff
and refuses 20 enter into d contract or cornbina
nation to divide the Office, for the purpose O
procuring his election.
The system which has sprung up among us q,
candidates running npon the local pouularit,
or influence of deputies in Office, is wrong in
principle, and, as experience shows most PERM.
cious in its consequences. 1t practically VIC.
] lates both the law and the constitution, and
put it to the conscience of voters to; answer how
they can, consistently with their duty as good
/ citizens, give it their sanction. It creates. a
partnership in the Office unknown, to the law,
which impairs its utility and efficiency. 1t CON
trayenes the constitution by substantially per.
petuating the office in the same hands SO tina,
! the abuses which are intended to be guarded o,
gainst. with such jealous care, are placed be-
yond all check. The influence of the "Ereeu.
| tion Bag becomes uncontrolled and uncontroll
able. 1t is only necessary for the partners in
the combination to rotate-the head to become
| tail. and the tail become head-within the cy.
Giles prescribed by the letter ofthe constitution
and they may ride over the people and the coun.
ty forever. s~sai 70 i,5- ee.na ,.l ~
It remains for the voters to say, however-that
is if the combination has not already become too
strong for, them-whether they will consent
thus to be rode. There is no Office in which the
danger of abuse is more imminent than in that
of the sherifalty-snd none is more cautiously
guarded by the constitution. 1t declares that
'No person elected for two successive terms,
"shall be re-eligible to the same Office for the
next succeeding term; nor shall, during his
STERN ofservice or within one year thereafter, be
"eligible TO any political Office" Why is this 7
Plainly, because by his power over the people,
he might be tempted to WELD o corrupt and inn
proper influence, And is' this power less to be
dreaded when welded BY several irresponsible
sherifs, acting in concert to effect common end
Certainly not. On the contrary the danger
would be greatly increased. ~ .'dhs
But again-by the law and the constitution
the Office of sheriff is made unit--properly SO,
and for wise considerations. But this system
destroys its unity, and utter and endless confu-
sion in its business is the consequence. The peo-
pie need no proofs of this they are a part of
almost every mans experience. M
/ am aware thatthere are some who seem vastly
pleased with this new way Of electing our sher-
ifs. They look upon it as no encroachment, but
rather as an extension of popular privilege -
They say it is the Deputy they vote for--they
care nothing for the Principal Good easy
souls, how kindly they surrender themselves to
the uses of the combination They seem all
unconscious of the chains they are forging,
while busily at work on the part that they like!
But the time may come, when they will be
walked up to see their folly. Great principles
can never lie violated with impunity. There
are morals to be observed in public affairs as
well as in private conduct; and they may earn
too late that their trangession entails penalty.
1t may be, the power they helped to enthrone
in time will become their oppressor. How con-
soling will then be the reflection that the bant-
ling they nursed in its feeheness, has grown SO
strong that it is able to dsspise them We have
had a significant card lately from two of the
Mr.. Wison,.it appears, had kind
thoughts toward them and had concluded, if !
elected, to make them his deputies. Inconsid-
crate man, to suppose he could thus interfere
with the machinery OF the combination without
causing an explosion. Alas | am sorry for
him. His intentions were no doubt kind-none
indeed, who know the honesty OF his heart can
believe otherwise-but most signal and signifi- |
cant has been the rebuke administered to him
for his presumption. The deputies give him the
cut direct, and plainly intimated to him that
lt1deT no circumstances, can tNdt Ce-anu Lleu
proceed to lay this down as their altimatum.-
If our friends desire to see us continue as dep
nties, it must be through the election of Col
Turk" There you have it, voters of Augusta.
If you want the services of these deputies, you
must elect Mr.. Turk. a s,
| have certainly no disposition to depreciate
The services of these gentlemen. Under ordina-
y circumstances they might be acceptable Off
GERS. But the opposition to them is based upon
principle, and sincerely hope that both they
ind the condition they exact, will be indignant
y rejected by the people.
A CONSERV ALIVE.