The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

When I proposed an amendment in the paper of the 18th of February last, I was fully satisfied that moderate fees, paid daily as the justices do business, would, in the course of two or three years, be a better reward to the justices, than the office of High Sheriff, and that it would be a great inducement to any Justice to attend, and endeavour to inform himself in the law, in order to draw the run of business to him. The Clerk's fees, to be sure would be less than they now are, but common generosity in the Clerks ought to induce them to give up some of their extravagant profits, rather than the people should be distressed in attending Court under important law, when they might have their disputes settled in a better and cheaper manner.

The Lawyers say they disregard the business under the partition law, and so I hope they are not disturbed by said amendment, so far as it concerns petitions. And as to the hint upon the choice of Officers in the paper dated 21st of March, I am of the opinion the people at large who pay taxes, ought to have a vote in choosing officers. I cannot think it right that civil officers should be turned from office to office, without a new appointment.

A man may be fit for the office he is appointed to, and succeed to the next office which he may not be so fit for. A man may be a good Magistrate, and neither a good clerk nor a good Sheriff. I also think, (and am confident in my own mind that I shall be joined by the universal opinion) that no man ought to hold an office that he is above acting in, or is unfit to act in. If the Sheriffs were chosen by the taxables at large, yearly, or every two years, they would endeavour to do justice, lest they should not be re-elected: But under the present law, I suppose the highest bidder gets the office of Sheriff.

But to you, gentlemen, that are discouraged from seeking what you wish for, lest you should not obtain it, I say it is possible to obtain a law that is generally desired. There must be a beginning, before any thing is brought to perfection. If there should be but few in the Assembly that are not interested in those oppressive laws, the other Counties are free to choose who they please as well as we, and when a proposed law is published for public consideration (as it is often done, witness the making lands liable for debts, and the penitentiary law) the people will choose against the next session of assembly, those they think will act for the public good in general, and not those that will be ruled by their own private interest. I shall at this time only mention one amendment more, and that for particular gentlemen to consider, and not the public, and that is, the law for slander. I think that law wants amending in order at least to reprimand those who call themselves the gentlemen, but do not merit the title, unless it is by their wealth only, when a malicious or designing man can, for a pint of whisky, or a quarter of a dollar, hire the vagabond, or lawless person, to say what they direct him to say; to ridicule whoever they please, for spite, or for the interest of the employer. I propose to them to amend the above-said law, to practice themselves, and to induce them to do so, I only desire them to consider three generations, the precedent, the present, and the succeeding, counting themselves the medium; all which have been, are, and may be, liable to be ridiculed hereafter, as well as others. I shall conclude with the words of the poet, called false greatness, which I shall dedicate to M*s*s, alas mourns the heathen idol, who made it his business to cavil and snarl at every other idol.

"Mylo. Forbear to call him blest,

That only boasts a large estate;

Should all the treasures of the West,

Meet and conspire to make him great.

I know thy better thoughts; I know

Thy reason can't descend too low.

Should a broad stream with golden sands,

Through all his meadows roll,

He's but a wretch with all his lands,

That wears a narrow soul."

L.;

ROBERT WILCOX

March 15, '96.