The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-12
County Government.

Editor of The Times:
Sir.-Hayins been in public life as clerk
or deputy of Circuit or County Court III
the State Of Virginia almost continuously
from 1912 to 1899, and therefore liililiiai
with the working and operations OF Tue
several State Constitutions In existence
during the period referred to, beg to
be allowed to give my views in reference
to such changes in the present Const1lu-
tion as it seems to me would not only De
wise and for the public good, but such
as 7 believe a very large majority OF tue
sensible and conservative white people
of the Commonwealth desire.
Taking it for granted that the monthly
Counts Court system, with its Judges, are
to be abolished, then there should pc
sufficient number OF judges of the Cir
cult Courts, to be established to transact
the business. These judges should bss
elected by the voters resident in the coun-
ties and corporations composing the cir
cult and the Judge should be an actual
resident of the circuit for which ne is
elected at the time of his election. 1t IS
far better that the people should elect
than the General Assembly. The people
did it before 1861 ana elected aple men
without regard to their politics. 70
be elected by the Legislature it is quite
probable, yea, almost absolutely certain,
that none but partisan will be chosen.
Keep the temptation out OF the General
Assembly. The people resident III the
circuits are far better judges OF "hcm
they want than the members OF the Leg
islature can possibly be- and they will
elect better and ADLER men.
Nor should the election of the Judges OF
the Court Of Appeals be by the General
Assembly, but by the people. The State
should be divided into five districts, and
oh, ct,iot raII1a6 tn elect a resident
therein as q member Of the Court OF APP
peals. The able lawyers and other intelli-
gent men in the several districts and
circuits will see that none but suitable
persons will be elected.
Now while on the judicial line I desire
to say q word or two about the justices
OF the peace. I do not hesitate to say
that previous to 1852 the State Of Virginia
was never before, nor has it since, been
represented in that respect by fairer,
wiser and better men on and off the
bench Can scheme be devised that will
reach the same class OF persons in every
community? think SO, Make it the
duty of the judges Of the Circuit Courts
in their respective circuits to select and
make THE first appointments for the sew
eral magisterial districts OF the counties
composing their circuits, and after that,
IN case of resignation, death. or removal
or q justice, Tie JUSTICES III COlulalSSlou,
or a ma jority CT them. aftetr being sum
moned for the purpose, to meet and sup
ply vacancies by election by them.
The justices should constitute and be
called the Board of Commissioners, and
be in place OF the Board Of Supervisors
,the latter an organization created by
and put on us by the Black and Tan
Convention. I dislike the name Of super
visor. It recalls unpleasant recoliec-
tons, and there is no necessity for its
eNistcncc.i
The president OF the Board OF Com
missioners should be elected by the JUS
tees at their first meeting, and to hold
his Office as president one year from the
day of his election. or until the first
Monday in May succeeding his election,
and be ineligible to the same office for
enc year from tile expiration Of his term.
AS a member Of the Board of Commits
sioners, the president shall vote only in
case of tie.
rhe Board OF Commissioners shall
consist Of the president and one justice
from each magisterial district Of the