Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-03-13
For the SPECTATOR.
Amend the Constitution.


"a Government By the People. "-Will they
please take up the Constitution of the State
and examine for themselves; study the di-
vision of powers. mark well the duties of each
division and discover where the abuses come
in of which complaint Is made, and decide
what the proper remedies are and how they
should be applied. The Constitution presents
the general principles which shall govern, and
defines the limitations of the systematic
frame work of the structure, the divisions of
power into branches indicating the chief of
ficial heads of each of the several branches
The legislative branch is charged with filling
out and completing the details and keeping
the machinery in operation, suiting it to the
changing environments and the friction of
time
The Governor, directly and indirectly exer-
cises considerable influence on the expenses Of
the government by his recommendations in
his messages, the call of extra sessions of the
Legislature, the enforcement of the laws, the
RENTING of fines, as the head of various
boards, the enforcement of special acts, &C.
He is made independent of any encroach-
ments and servile submission and depend
ence on the legislative branch by fixing his
salary in the Constitution at So, cooper annum
The Judiciary-The Court of appeals, Circuit
Courts, and County Courts.-Their jurisdiction
and powers, except so far as the same is con-
ferred by the Constitution are regulated by
law. Their salaries and compensation are de-
termined by law, which shall not be dimin-
ished during their term of office The Court
of Appeals consists of five judges. Can you
do with less? The number of Circuit Courts
designated is 49, but the General Assembly
may increase or diminish the number, when
the public interests shall require it.
The County Courts.-By reason of the race
populations in some of the counties of the
State, it has been difficult to prescribe uniform
regulations by law for the whole State which
will not be objected to by some; but we are
now considering the subject in the interest Of
economy. The Constitution does not prohibit
the Legislature from combining the counties
into districts, provided monthly courts are
to each county, but. it is mandatory in
requiring that counties containing less than
s 900 inhabitants shall be attached to adjoin-
ing counties for the formation of districts for
county judges. Such districting would reduce
the number of judges give them constant
official employment, for which additional pay
would be demanded. All this, however, is
within the jurisdiction of the Legislature, and
needs no convention TO change it.
County Organization. constitutional
officers of which are 1 Sheriff, Clerk Except
IN counties of $4,000 inhabitants there mag be
a separate Clerk for the Circuit Court l County |
Treasurer, and so many Commissioners of the |
Revenue as may be provided by law; so with |
a Superintendent of the Poor, County Sur |
veyor, and Superintendent of Schools by
Board of Education. Ali additions to these
are made by law, and are in the power of the
Legislature No convention is necessary.
District Oyyanization.-Compla is urged |
against the number of officials If it is desired
to reduce to the minimum the districts of the |
county, reconstruct them into 3; then you
will have Supervisors, 8 Justices, 3 Con |
stables, 3 Overseers of the Poor, and Com |
missioners of the Revenue The excess above |
these are the creatures of the law No con-
ventlon is necessary.
Query-Can the reduced number of officials
do all the work Of their offices? Are the peo-
pie of Augusta county in the interest of
willing to unite the six districts into
three? But the question TO be determined is
whether the necessary retrenchment of ex-
pences can be effected by existing laws and
the Legislature or resort must be had to a
Art X. Sec. 20. No other or
greater amount of tax or revenue shall at any
time be levied than may be required for the
necessary expenses of the government, or to
pay the existing Indebtedness of the State."-
If the Legislature could be held to the true
and intent of this provision of the
and refuse the opportunities for
special favors and donations which worry and
perplex the members, there would be saving |
TO the treasury.
MODERATE