The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-02-26
GER a.l,e norsraIs INT CORRESPONDENTS.
: MARSHALL, n. c., Feb. 8, 1883.

MAhshAlL, ~. NJ w. y NSSSsT
MFssRs EpIroRs After our last 'article
hope YOU will be ready to go with us into
a consideration Of tile present political and
pecuniary status of those Of US beyond the
mountains. It is believed and hoped that
the Convention will give the election OF all
oficss Ij6tifexecritive and Judicial, TO the peo-
pie, to whom II properly belongs. TINS then
is our plan. 1st, Let the people, when they
vote for the ratification Of the Constitution,
vote also. for Governor, and Cabinet officers,
Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts
Members of Congress, Solicitors, Members OF
both branches of the Legislature, Clerks OF
County, Equity and Superior Courts, Magls-
trates and Constables, Sheritis nc. e7e5
End, Divide the State into, at least. ttoetre
judicial circuits. This will give at least two
circuits west of the Blue Ridge. Let the
Judges and Solicitors for these eircnits be
elected hy the people tor the term OF eight or
tuelce wears, and confined to their circuits,
and compelable to hold tlree terms therein
per annum, and make them ineligible TOR
election for the same offices, for three sue
ceeding terms.
3rd. Abolish the County Courts as they
now exist, make them courts OF probate only
for the purpose of administration. roads, etc
Make it in the power of the Justices the
first meeting in January, "a majority beng
presently to elect County Judge, IA man OF
probity. and learned in the law) whose
duty it shall be to hold the terms of the
said probate court, on certain day in each
and every month, and the succeeding days
thereafter. until the business of said court
shall he completed. Allow him certain
salary per diem by law, and make this Il
special matter of taxation. Let there be no
Jury trials except before Judges OF the Su-
perior Courts OF law and Equity.
4th. Make it the duty of all Judges of the
Superior Courts of Law and Equity in mat
tiers where they are incompetent to preside,
either by self interest or personal relation
ship, to appoint a special Judge, in all such
cases, from among the members OF the bar.
So of the County Court Judges, to appoint
a presiding officer from among the magis-
trates of the county in such cases, who shall
be paid reasonable per diem.
5th Let the Magistrates and constables
be elected by the people at large of the
county and eligible only for one term at a
time Compel them to keep q record of
them Jurisdiction of petty offences, misde-
meaners, with the right to appeal; to eth
er party cast for cost, tried before them, who
desire said appeal, and give security for the
cost therein to be incurred. Let there be
but two magistrates and one constable to a
precinct, and let their jurisdiction, as now,
extend to the limits of the county,
9th. Make Sheritfs ineligible. only two
terms successively.
18th. If necessary separate Courts of law
and Chancery, making three Chancery dis
tricts in the State, until circumstances re-
quire more, and let the people elect Chancel-
lors to preside over the same at such sala-
rics, and at such times as the Legislature
from time to time enact.
Sth. Make bastardy penal offence in
the sum of five hundred dollars Zone half to
the informer)
The above, Messrs. Editors, comprises the
views IN general, of our western people, con-
cerning the constitutional reforms necessary
in our Judiciary. have not taken the trou.
BILE, (ndeed if l were capaple,) to elaborate
upon these views, leaving the discussion OF
the minor details of these ideas to wiser
heads and abler pens trust that the Con.
vention now assembled in your city, will
give merlted consideration to the crude no.
tions herein so feebly promulgated. beg
that these views may be spread before them
in your valuable paper, and that you also
may urge for them favorable consdera.
ton. More anon. MADISON.