The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-03-20
Tug cnERr NiLy.

lNh COURT BILL.
We anticipated 10 bri-f article prepared
for last issne pablished on the f-st pssa d
to-fs s's TIEGENrAN the radical and revolu-
sionary action Of the Virginia Legislature on
the bill prescribing tn, jnisdicsina> Of thu
c.cuit courts or. il other words. to deyrad.
the coupty courts. sta.nl.s the f,w Of JUS
lace, Increase the expenses Of the Judiciary
and .hnek the intelligence AID conservatism
Of the "ole. Frnm the FIRST, this Lssi-}a-
turs has acted ikea parcel ieya!izaa deS;rne-
ives in ret, ence to this Judiciary g'tes-
ton. La order 10 precipitate the. election o!
county jiass.s, for political and selfish rea-
sons. they changed the time CT meetin. for
the Legislature from December to January,
that they might have an cxcuse f,r the par
Torrance OF sn'act that propsriy bsloags to
their successors. Consc oi ne ffagrsne
betrayal OF the trust repoSe1 in their. and
| the certain condemnation that awaits shen
from the people, they chose to exercise tliei,
/ brief and misuse! aulhorty TO perfect thelr
Tragedy of errors and fix the cap stone to tn,
| pyramid OF their fuilies, ia the change they
efected in the period of Assembling, and as ..
consequence, the passage of this outrageous
court bill. 70 accomplish this latter purpos
they made concession to the Republican
members, which evidences the party 'yrann.
that has been praticed, as general PROPOSE
ton, throughout he State, in providing tpr,
representative Of the Republicausin the com.
nissioners of election Iac Republicans were
veil convinced that some revolutionary meas
ire would be enacted b. the majority, aue
| determined to make the best terms hey could
With view To obtaining what had hereto
ore been denie !. bu. which every consids,
ltion of justice aud right and indeed sound
onicy, demanded they should have-a cam
assioaoe of election at each precinct |
his county. the propricty and fairness an
ooesty of This pnlicy has been recognized Il
| fudge l1en}ren, without the interpretation Il
| legislative mandate. And ) } i. would bay
| seen with every other county judge. VT,
| Properly appreciated the dsties of his pos
ion, and did not regard it piece o! part
'iachinery TO acetmp~t, pirsy ends. II.
tolerancc and prescription which have here.
lore been practicesl II .taiS S:ase are aani
| I'd ia this ronca>sios., ard civ. "a coie,,ug !,
| 'tnfcaftsnl To what is cl4imei as coasecG.
'sm. wilic" viii not be lost ia future transp
rances. We are not often mistaken ia oo 3
trecsstlngs OF political events and We her
| .Ise, that this is ne last H. yislature ao,! tns
,st State government the protessetl c,oserva.
i've party will ever elect in Virginia. Thi-
..egisAsnre has sounded It's death kneli an
| he Whaling Street will be cIuseI over ITS d.
:inct remains in November next The peo
pc have become disguised aud sick eue,: wit.
ne conservation professions aud r,,diical prac
tees which have marked the legislation o,
|irg!uil OF la!e gears, and are drireD 10 III,
;onc aston tIlat The speclou. promise til til
If. is invariably broken To the hope
THIS court bill radically rcvoutionzes til
% -tYer,fl; obstruction to carrying into Ell
f.,t the clause at I'll e constitution that re
Il nres tbs county judges TO be s.leafned il
me law >" What learned Lawyer world sc.
faf
cept-a i;ua 5eship Al $500 a year. with an al
atiohal SO for eaci, 900 population in ex-
ces of 10 QUO p Ia Augusta. the s,Iar,
would be about $3.50. WHO would aceep,
S ,ch a piftance Tor the empty honor Of Sit
tag upon a bench Of probate. and reeosniz-
ius the oHense OF chicken thieving? Ii is.
in effect, a virtual violation OF the cons,i,s-.
ton
twill add to tie cost Of or, criminal re-
cord, by ielsyiasatfial, packing The jails Tor
four months with offenders who are entitled |
to speedy trial but can only beheard before the
circuit courts thrice year. II will ii5el ease
the expenses Of ltigatipsn obsruct justice.
and4lay the foundation for a. corrupt and ip-
efficient county court system = which is real.
ly the court OF the padpee.ss..55g 4;szss Is.
Of course, the increase Of business in the |
circuit courts will. necesslsate the re-di,triet-
ing OF thesstate. the creation Of at least do
zen more circuits. aud the election Of a dez
en- more judges to fill them. Doubtless, there
will be an aspiraat for nearly every one Of
these positions to be found among the mem-
bers ots the. legisiatu, G. This consideration
was powerful in the passagc Of the bill. and
We would not be surprised if the sequel does
no, show. "a controlling influence
But the bill is law SO far as the leeisla-
ture is concerned. aud only awaits tho sigma
ture of the Governor TO make it completely
so., We earnestly hope he will veto it, and
aad!anoher evidence TO those he has already
given Of a sincere desire to promote the true
Interests o: Virginia. ',