The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-21

GINA. rbe Sunday Times Dispatch:
might meet and discuss and pass laws the county
officials, who in sympathy with the Governor being his
apponees would often arroganty ignore the plain acts OF the
Assembly Hcncc was very difficult in any in which
the government involved, to secure justice.
II there existed III Virginia political rings it was III
the early days Of the colonial period Even i'll of JUS
hce in the higher courts the Governor occupied the
centre OF influence and power The Supreme Court OF the
colony was made Of all the members Of the Council who
were appointed by the King in England These Councillors
usually appointed recommendation of the Gov
ernor since lie the representative Of the King in Virginia.
and was supposed to be acquainted with the best who
should constitute the Council of the State
Aqucstions Of appeal made to the Council naturally
settled favor Of the King or according WISH the
Governor.
The whole matter of colonial government reduced itself
to condition in which practically all the affairs OF the govern
ment either directly indirectly in The hands OF the
Governor cxcepttat all laws which passed through the Cen
era Assembly had Also to be passed upon by the House of
Burgesscs who the only officials elected by popular
But even here the Governor had great influence, only be-
cause OF his superior position but because OF the fact that it
depended upon him to what time the writs OF election
should be issued for House Of urgcsscs He had right
to dissolve the House Of Burgesscs WILL In dis
solution he could order election when he thought best
Though the Governors had much power their official life
was by no means easy for the people OF Virginia
stanty complaining and making appeals the
commissioners OF plantations. These appeals
cessant source OF annoyance to the Governors.
Whenever the people had the privilege voting for BUR-
gcsses, they showed their will i'll many ways all pleas
ing to the Governor. Sometimes they openly violated the
laws in force governing elections by preventing sheriff who
was friendly to the Governor from making what they thought
would be improper returns by winning the sheriff
to their OF thinking. thus securing padded in
their favor On the other hand, it is to be forgotten that
the sheriff often made wrong order that his friends
or the Governors friends might stay in the Assembly
very interesting indeed look into these colonial elections
and to discover the method which prevailed then
them with the elections they are held to-day
As to election methods in colonial days able
determine how the people voted in 1919 There that
time sheriff but it reported that the Burgcsses
elected by the freemen who the plantations and de-
cided that certain become their Burgcsses 1t is
pobable that the frs. elections conducted by counting
heads
On the establishment OF counties, the elections put
into the hands OF the sheriff who had give notice of the
elections be held 10 all the citizens OF their respective
ties. So when the sheriff received writ from the Governor
authorizing election he had send riders inform
the people Of the time when elections be held the
courthouse. In 1855 law passed requiring the sheriff
and his deputies give notice within days after the
ccpt Of the writ from the Governor Notice be given
from house house to all persons interested in the election
This great burden upon the sheriff. especially in
OF the fact that the counties very large many smaller
counties having since been made from them As matter