Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-14


had passed as before stated in 1851, having
been most wrongfully nullled by Gov. Causey
1t was copied perbdiim and again passed both
Houses as II new bill, at the last January ses-
sion, 1859, and received, not only the constitu-
tonal majority of two-thirds Of each House
but twenty-sX of the whole thirty members oil
the Legislature voted for IL, and IL is now in
the hands of Gov. Burton for his approval. II
may be found in the pamphlet laws Of last ses-
sion, p. 500.
II he approve il, aud il is ratified by n ma
iority of three-fourths of each House at our
next January session, it will be complete and
the Constitution be amended. When IT is thus
amended, the judges will not he elected by the
people, as is falsely represented By some, and
enormously believed by others
The bill provides this and no more The five
Judges will all go out of Office on the fourth of
March, 1861, and Gov Burton will have the
appointment of the persons who take their pa-
ces. And though they are, as heretofore, to he
appointed by the Governor, he cannot, ms has
always been the case, appoint them for life, or
as the sophistical phrase goes "during good
behaviour hut must appoint them for " the
term Of twelve years, If so long they behave
themselves we'll"
The question is, will Gov. Burton approve
the bill and allow it 10 go overto the next Leg
slature for ratification
The Reform Association of this town, compo-
scd almost entirely of merchants, farmers, me-
chanics, school teachers, and working men,
having learned that the same influences would
be attempted to be brought to bear on the
measure, and that the same councillors are
very ready to volunteer their disinterested advice
to the present Governor which was supposed to
have such weight with his predecessor, adopted
resolution for appointing committee to ad-
dress circulars to prominent citizens, asking
them whether or not they are in favor of amend
ing the Constitution so as to abolish life-ten-
urcs in office? The question to bcput, northe
bill which passed the last two sessions, and is
now in the hands of the Governor, had moth
ing to do with the question of cecting the
Judges by the people.
Mr.. Reed Mr. Costen, and myself, were APP
pointed that committee and we did send cir
culars as directed, to II number of prominent
citizens, asking them that question in civil
terms and in respectful manner Leaving il
optional of course with them, as to whether
they would answer or not and if they did as
to what their answers should be. This is all
the committee did. We may truly say, that
The very head and front of our offending
Hath this extent, no more.h
Ii is for this that the Constitutional Reform
ers generally, and the committee specially, have
been denounced as cold John Browns" and the
people themselves have been branded and de-
ridcd as bummers, thieves, and corrupt poll
ticians,' by malicious and mcndacious libelers,
bounded on by irresponsible arbitrary power
and the spirit which it engenders, fosters and
protects; hoping, probably, that such libels
will instil n prejudice in the Governors breast
against the Reformers generally, and the conf
mittce specially, and that they will be enabled
10 ra, SIN that nrniudira n tIIn Of Re-
form itself, and thereby be assisted in prevail
ing on him to nullify the bill. lean tell them,
however, that they are calculating this time
without their host. Gov. Burton has had him
self, large share of the basest libels from the
same persons and through the same channels,
not to be able duly to appreciate them. can
tell them too, that he will approve the bill.
Myrcasons Tor this opinion are the following:
First, lie is different kind of man from
Gov. Causey.
Second, The Democratic party, which nomi-
mated and elected him, approved of the bill in
its primary meetings and conventions and con-
dcmned the notification of it by Gov. Causey,
and two Democratic Legislatures in succession
passed il almost unanimously.
Third He holds very different relation to
all the FIVE Judges, save one, and especially to
a majority of them from that which Gov. Cau-
sey did and does
Fourth, Not to me- but in my presence, prior
to the election he condemned the refusal OF
GOV. Causey to approve the bill in the strong
est language.
So that it will only remain for the ReGormers
to secure majority of three-fourths in each
branch of the next Legislature to ratify the bill.
II will then be complete. Lfe-tenures in office
will be abolished, and Governor Burton will
have the appointment of the Chancellor and all
the Judges, on the 4tb of March 1861, not for
life, MS hitherto, but for the term of twelve
years.
And to secure that understanding and con-
cert of action which is alone necessary TO rem
der success certain, the Rcformers should or
ganize by forming associations and clubs in all
parts of the State, as they have already done IN
this town, and are doing in number OF other
places.
In conclusion, one word in regard to myself
| am private citizen, and only claim the rights
of one. am no candidate for Office, and never
expect to be. never asked for an appont-
ment in my life, nor have ever authorized any
one for me, and never expect to. So that
those who have them, or aspire to them, need
not be so dreadful uneasy on my account. And,
although am no more DESTROYS than other
folks Of being made a victim to this Moloch of
power which has been established over the
neople of Delaware, grithom Their consent, and in
lerogation of their rights, at the same time, be
the consequences to myself what they may, |
must say that am in favor of constitutional
Reform in n constitutional way, so as to make
that instrument more compatible with repub-
lcan institutions and the enlightened spirit OF
the age.n Very Respectfully,
SAKE GOTTA LAWS.