23 SEPTEMBER 1837, Page 10

THE IRISH MAGISTRACY.

THE conduct of the Irish Government in the matter of Colonel Vsesi6e, which has been a fruitful topic of discussion for several days, is characterized by the good sense and vigour necessary to make a government respected by the people. That Colonel VER- NER deserves the reproof under which he and his friends smart, we lime no earthly doubt. He ostentatiously proclaimed him- self the adherent of a faction, when he gave a !bast provocative of factious reminiscences and rancorous feelings, at his election- dinner. It is a mere shuffle to attempt to escape from the con- sequences of his indiscretion by pretending that the dinner in question was not a public entertainment. The single fact that reporters were admitted, and the publication of the toasts and speeches authorized by the giver of the feast, proves that it was and that it was intended to be considered as a public dinner. Colonel VERNER may be an excellent person in private life; but he has evinced a lack of discretion which disqualifies him for the office of a magistrate anywhere, but more especially in a country where calmness, impartiality, and freedom from factious prejudice, are above all things desirable in an administrator of the law.

It is said that a revision of the entire Magistracy of Ireland is about to be made. We hope that this report is true; for we have that confidence in Lord NIULGRAVE and Lord MORPETH which leads us to anticipate great good from such a measure. It is trite to say that, as at present composed, the Irish Magistracy does not possess the respect or confidence of the people. The practice, till lately, has been to select active partisans of the Orange faction—Protestant Ascendancy men—for the bench of justice, or, as it might more properly be called, the bench of jobbing and injustice in Ireland. It remains to be seen how the pre- sent Irish Executive will perform the duty they have undertaken. Every thing depends upon the character of the men they select, To go from one extreme to the other—turning out Orangemen to make room for bigoted Catholics, or violent Government and Castle men—would be only a renewal of the crime which has for so many years been the curse of Ireland. The new Magistrates should be distinguished by excellence of private character, the respect and attachment of the neighbourhood in which they re- side, firmness, discretion, and freedom from religious bigotry. No doubt, it will be difficult to find even one person so qualified in every locality requiring a resident Magistrate; but where they are not to be found, the deficiency should as far as possible be supplied by stipendiary Justices, sent thither by the Government. It is most desirable, nay absolutely necessary for the tranquillity of the country, that clergymen of all denominations should be ex- cluded from the commission.

Is Ireland alone to have the benefit of revised commissions of the peace ? Why should not the opportunity of a new reign be used to weed out and replenish the English Magistracy? Assuredly, if ignorance, partiality, and jobbing, are disqualitica- tions, there are some hundreds of English Justices unfit tosit upon the bench. But we poor Englishmen are told by expositors of the " sentiments of men in office," to wait till such Magistrates die out !