Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-03-06
For the SPECTATOR.



Amend the Constitution, they say some
for one and some for other reasons In the
interest of economy it is confidently asserted
that State convention should be convened to
reduce the salaries and fees of officials, for
getting that the salary of the Governor is the
only one fixed by the Constitution, and that
the salaries and emoluments are prescribed by
another it is alleged that the number of off
Gals is too great let it be observed that the
Constitution determines the heads of the
several departments OF government and leaver
the number of assistants, subdivisions, clerk
ships, attendants and consequent expenses, to
be regulated by the Legislature, which is pre-
sumed to express the mind of the people. No
convention is necessary to accomplish any of
these notifications within practicable limits
Another, with enthusiasm, asserts that our
county government is wrong that We should
return TO the old magisterial system, remind
ing us that the Justices of the Peace consti
tuted the county courts, who served without
pay. 1t must be remembered that radical
change in our condition and political organ
ism has occurred since those halcyon days
when the highest patriotism, dignity, order
culture and refinement graced the body polltic
and society. The first men in the counties
were appointed to the Magistracy by the Gov
ernor on the recommendation of their com
peers until a short time before the civil war.
which overthrow that, which is believed by
many to have been the grandest political ana
social organism known to modern history. AT
that period the negro population, cared for by
private hands, was never in court on trial, ex
cept on very rare occasions for capital Of
fence, when he was tried by bench OF
justices. and not subjected to. the risks of
jury trial. 1t was the free negro only who
occasionally was on trial for ordinary often
ces Negroes in the penitentiary We're very
few now they are counted by hundreds, and
our trial courts infested by the unfortunates
The theory of an unpaid judiciary is chimeri-
cal at this time, and will hardly meet, even
with popular favor, in view of the immense
work caused by increased population.
Sons favor convention. because they de
sire the judges elected by the people, forget
ting that we are already surieited by the fire
quency of exciting elections and the charges
ot frauds and corruption by the defeated party
The improperly of making our courts de
pendent on the caprice of infurated mobs
strikers, or ovetsnadowlng monetary ant
corporate combinations is So obvious at this
epoch as to need no further discus
sion on principle. There doubtless Will be
many other changes to the Constitution pre-
posed on the old deoatable Questions. Among
the Fest the length OF terms and frequency oi
the sessions of the Legislature and the mum
Ger of members No one can telr what ee
lnents viii he in the ascendency III the con
vention; whether of radical and destructive
cast. which will seek to permanently incorpo
rate in our system of government the rampant
theories of modern innovation as to persons
and property, the order apd stability of So
ciety. The numerous and dangerous theories
affecting private rights and the investments
in public Improvements which are sorely try
ing and importing other States and cities, are
moving down upon the hitherto staid society
of the South like fearful food, sweeping es
Jablished usages before it. changing our peace
jul Southland into a bedlam of heterodoxy
and confusion. Is it not perilous to open up
the Constitution at this time, to be changed by
influences which appear dangerous to liberty?
We all probably agree that the great disturbing
cause. in great measure is the abuse of the
right of suffrage, which should be reformed.
The trend of the last half century has been to
an expansion of the elective franchise, which
mas acquired momentum, is brushing away
the old landmarks and safeguards, committing
Us to experiments, impelled by sympathy
rather than safe precedents In Virginia
female suffrage is being canvassed by un
jaunted and persevering lecturers. This RE
form will be made prominent feature in the
convention doubtless. To what further ex
tent may popular suffrage be carried without
Impairing the stability of our form of govern
ment?
Suffrage is the bottom sill of our fabric. If
it prove faulty the superstructure is imperiled.
MODERATE.