Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-02-06

majority there is but. one appeal. and that, is,
to the swordI" And, practically, the vetoe,
of Goverdor Walker in East Va, has satisfied
me of the folly of listening to one man. against
the representatives, of the people of = whole
State.
The second is, Mr.. Fahlkner's idea of Civ
ing representation to the minority: Am OPP,
posed to that too; the majority ought, in all
cases TO decide and upon the reasoning of
Thomas Jefferson say the reasoning of
Thomas Jefferson. !" in the general; but1spesk
in reference. nows especially to the CONDITION
of the country, aud the people thereof. in the
struggle in which the people are. nianifestly.
to enter with the many and various monopo-
lies in the country, that swarm like the loeusts
of Egypt. In that struggle, We want, aud
will submit to, no barriers of a royal perogu-
the on the part of the Governor, or a minor
ity, that could be more readily bought up by
the monopolies, to oppose the solid march of
the people to their Just, and a%bnegated rights /!
This would be, to permit the monopolies to
build forts; and to make intreuchments in the
constitution, to debsr the people from their
just aud equitable rights!
The third question, to which I desire to call
your attention, ia, a proper economy in the
county Offices.
The people are now taxed to their utmost
power of endurance. The Office, for example
of Sheriff; in this county. is said to be worth
from five to six thousand dollars !! Is it not
in the power of the Convention. from the in
formation it could get from its members so to
arrange a system of salaries for the different
counties of the State. for that Office. as we'll
as for other Offices, as to leave thousands and
thousands of dollars in the hands of the peo-
pie, tor their.own wants and comforts. or for
the public purpose of Education, that are,
now, taken out of their hands, to fill the Golfers
OF a few individuals?
In this county, I am persuaded there are
many men, who could serve process and cal.
culate interest, who, bv hard labor could not
make $500; and, would be glad to do all the
business of the County, as Sheriff, for 81 600;
and, would do it, just as they maui rails; or
break stone on the turnpike for a less sum
l go TOR these men, in justice to them, and in
justice to the people! In paying these sal.
aries; all fees and all exactions could be low
cred in the courts, and elsewhere, as we'll as
the taxes of the people.
The ex Experience of ages. fortified by our own
experience, most conelusively proves. that Just
as you raise the salaries of officials, of what
ever grade, from a Congressman or a Presi-
dent, or a Judge, or a Sheriff, or a Constable,
you are sure to get, not n better, but a meaner,
and more corrupt official and agent, for the
public!
Witness the present Congress of the United
States. in former times, when the pay of a
Congressman was eight dollars per diem. you
had, in Congress; such men as Clay. and Cal
houu, and Benton, and Silas Wright, and
others of the same stamp too tedious to nam ;
and, now; when the Knaves who would be
taught to be Statesmen, have raised their paw
to SlU;OQO TOR about ten months servises. what
kind of men have you? Men without brains.
with"ut morals. and men who sell The pennle
aud their sacred rights to Lobbyists and mo-
nopolics, just az the butcher sells meat in ti.e
shanbles!
What enables these scoundrels so to trample
upon the rights of the people? Party spirit,
aud nothing else but party spirit They di
vide the people between two parties. and thus.
either party, as it comes int, power, brushes
and trathples on them The people-the reo
pie who never want Office or get it-could, II
united; grind these canting, hypocritical,
lying scoundrels to pnwder-thrnughont the
whole country--jnst as they did Tweed in
New York, aud his plunderiug myrmidnns,
when they o,ened their eyes and united in
one common effort and ctuSe-their0 own cause
- against their faiihlcss agents!
Yours very respectfully,
JNo. A. THOMSON.
p. st" justify, aud to simplify, what I
have said Oh the subject OF the judiciary, [
quote Tor the consideration Of the Convention,
especially of all of the body. who. have no
special interest, the Sth proposition. of the
platform, Of the M.cna.lc journal OF New
York, as follows. tU,wit
Eighth We hold that the abroeation of
all laws Tor the collection of det.ts Except AS
represented by mortgages on real aud personal
estate, duly filed or recorded) and the subs,i.
tuition, in their stead, of more stringent regn.
iations. reinforced by heavier penalties, to
punish wittul trespass upon the rights of
others, is a reform urgently called for"
This would cut up root and branch the
present bulthensome judiciary, and reduce to
the people, the expense of Justice, to a song!
Valley R".troof -Cuntrncts for building
the Valley Railroad have not yet been award
ed; but we are authorized t" state that it will
be put under contract, from IIarrisonburg to
Staunton, by the latter part of this week.
[~Stn""fon Spectator.
New Faper.-We welcome to our exchange
l'st,he West PANT Sfn1, recently established
at Vest Point, King William county, Va,
S. Roszel Donahoc, editor. The Star is a
neatly gotten up aud well printed sheet. We
wish it success.
Toll Cute. The travelling public passing
from this town and returning. on the Shep-
herdstown and Halltown Turnpike, or to
Charlestown, are hereafter required to pay
| foil h sfo,pn PooIctar