The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-08-22
CONCERNING
Shirley
+" Citizen Patriot" Tells Of Quail
ificatiOnS For the Office.

Two important lrdItS-Amendmen
to the United States Constitution
Supports His Argument Judges.
justices, Coroners, also Response
bic Sheriff Who Draws Grand and
Petit Juries All Powerful.
The Chronicle publishes the follow
ing communication from resident of
Morris County in response to the in
vitation from The Society for Politi-
cal Inquiry of Morristown for an
article on Qualifications Needed for
the proper discharge Of the duties of
the Sheritf's Office "
Our government and the RESPONSE
bilities of citizens a plain statement
of facts and principles deserving of
special notice by the people.
AS Regards the Election of a Sheriff.
When our patriot forefathers pro-
ceeded to frame the Constitution of
the United States, they declared their
purpose to make new departure in
government based on their belief,
that government was the right of the
whole people and that it should be
SO administered as to promote the
welfare of the whole people. Accord
ingly they formed an organization to
be a self-goyernment by the people.
Hence it was arranged that the sover-
eign power should be rested in the
people, and also that the people
should become the subjects of that
sovereign power. 1t is evident that
in such formation of government they
recognized the necessity of general
intelligence existing among the peo-
pie, and they urged the adoption of
general system of popular education
adapted to urnish means, not only
for cultivating and expanding mental
power by the study of primary
branches, but also for the development
of the moral nature and thus lay the
foundation of true manhood, and pre-
pare the young to become intelligent
good and efficient citizens.
The sovereign power being in the
people it was arranged that such
power should be expressed through
the ballot, and that the majority
therein expressed should be consid-
cred as the ruling principle.
Laws are made as the means for en-
forcing the power OF the government.
But laws are not made by the direct
votes of the people, but by represen-
uatives selected and chosen by the
people for such purpose, also those
who are to administer, and to enforce
the laws are selected and chosen for
such purposes. 1t is plain, therefore,
that great responsibility rests upon
the people, for making careful and
proper selections for official positions.
The power thus rested in the people
imposes a corresponding responsible
ity upon them to see that their power
should be rightly used to effect the
purpose for which it was given.
In making selections and voting for
candidates for official positions con-
nected with government, two import
ant considerations should be kept in
mind. Those who are to govern,
should know how to govern and
those who would govern rightly
should be right themselves. A know
ledge of the fundamental principles
of our government, and clear un-
derstanding of the nature of those
principles, is essential to good citi-
zenship, and the faithful perform
ance of the duties Of good citizenship
will require the existence of true
manhood, and true manhood consists
in a sincere belief in, and love of the
living principles of moral rectitude;
what moral rectitude means is told in
few words Glove of God and love to
fellow man"
The State has general and ad-
mitted power to define and punish
offenses against its own peace and
policy. The policy of the State is to
protect the peace and public welfare,
by maintaining a good and efficient
gov ernment The people in their or
ganized capacity constitute the
State, and have the right to exercise
their power through the ballot if they
so will, and indicate the course they
approve. The benefit of laws de-
pends. much upon the intelligence and
efficiency of their administration and
enforcement. AS to administration
of laws the Constitution of the
United States. in Article of amend
ments provides, that no person shall
be held to answer for capital or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on
presentment or indictment of a
grand jury, and further in Article 6
of amendments, in all criminal prose-
cutions, the accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and public trial, by
an impartial jury of the State and
district wherein the crime shall have
been committed, and have compulsory
processes for obtaining witnesses in
his favor.
Article of amendments provides
for the right of trial by jury in suits,
at common law, in cases of value over
$50. Such are the requirements under
the Constitution of the United States,
as to the administration of laws re-
lating to dealing with crime, and
also as to the right of trial by jury,
showing that the first step before the
courst the jury system is required in
dealing with crimes.
The public generally are not slti-
ciently aware of the great import
ance attached to the proper selection
of persons suitably qualified to serve
as jurymen. The law OF the State of
New Jersey, pertaining to that point,
concisely states that it is the duty of
sheriff, and he shall have prepared
by him in due form in book with
names of persons suitable to serve as
jurors, as being qualified as to talent,
knowledge, integrity, hrmness and an
dependence of sentiment 1t is plain
therefore, that great responsibility
rests upon the sheriff as TO his ability
and fitness to properly make the suit
able selections of persons to serve as
| iurymen. In connection with 9aag-
! ing of the necessary qualifications OF
candidates for sheriff, the reminder