The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-26

10 The Editor Of TIE State Journal
November will soon be upon us, when
we will be called upon to elect members of
the Legislature to represent us in that body.
The importance of sending good men,
men of ability and courage; men that will
not be afraid to stand up for the right, even
though they may be in the minority-which
we think can be avoided by proper effort
on the part of the Republican party of the
State-cannot be over-estimated.
Business of great importance will come
before the next Legislature. The most i'm
portant among the duties that will devolve
upon that body will be the appointment of
county judges, who will hold their office
for six years. 1t is important that the ju-
dietary of the State should be composed of
able men, and not of beardless boys and
briefless lawyers, as is the case in too
many instances now. The spectacle that
is presented in many Of the county courts
at this time, throughout the State, is painful
to behold. We find men of ability and
talent, men of standing in the community
and in the county, as lawyers, well read in all
the law, civil and criminal men who have
spent their lives in its study standing up
and pleading Their cases before judges who
have just graduated from the law school or
Office eardless boys, who know about as
much about the practice of law, as horse
does about algebra. This is not the only
lamentable part of the case. These men,
young and inexperienced, without any of
the staid qualities produced by contact with
the law and the world, are the victims of
prejudice and political passion, and too
many of their opinions are rendered in con-
fornity with these prejudices, regardless of
the law in the case. This is disgrace to
the judiciary of the State, and calls loudly
for reform. Let us have men of some age
and legal stamina, not boys just from the
law schools. The only way Republicans
can remedy the matter is to get majority
of the Legislature, and by sending men
there, who, if in the minority, will at least
let their voice be heard in protest against
filling the bench with briefiess lawyers and
boys. m I'LL
Then the apportionment of the districts
iii the State, is a matter of prime import
ance, and will demand earnest work to
secure the right.
We hear it said, THAT it is no use, it
makes no difference who we send, we
are in the minority and can do nothing.o
Never was greater mistake made. When
we are IN the minority is just the time we
want our best men, our most staunch and
tried men in the Legislature, that they may
by their bold opposition to partisan legisla-
ton present or at least modify it.
Our system of internal improvements.
our railroad and canal policy. will also
claim large share of the legislation of the
legislature to be elected. Nothing can be
of more Importance to the prosperity of
the State than well conceived and well
executed plan of public improvements
and this demands men of ability and cul-
ture to conceive and carry out the system.
immigration, too, and thousand other
things, demand and should receive attention
at the hands of our next Legislature.
The Importance then of every city and
county organization Of the Republican par
ty, choosing their most able men. men
whom they can trust for umhinching brave
ry, honesty and integrity; men upon whom
they can depend to fight for the right, no
matter how many may be opposed to them /;
cannot be oyerestinated. Let the best men
of the party be nominated the chances for
success are increased incorporation with the
quality of the men put in nomination, and
those who are fortunate enough to be elect
ed will be an honor to the party. ta ii
j. L. ID.
Norfolk, "a, July 81, 1871.