by Matthew Bransgrove | Jul 17, 2015 | The Rule of Law
Corruption destroys liberty The immense briberies practised by Julius Caesar were sure and terrible presages of Caesar’s tyranny. It is amazing what mighty sums he gave away: Caius Curio alone, one of the tribunes, was bought into his interest, at no smaller a price...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Jul 17, 2015 | The Rule of Law
The legislative cannot transfer the power of making laws to any other hands. For it being but a delegated power from the people, they, who have it, cannot pass it over to others. —John Locke. Two Treatises of Government, 1689. This fundamental principle is breached by...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Jul 17, 2015 | The Rule of Law
In the government of this commonwealth, the legislative department shall never exercise the executive and judicial powers or either of them: the executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them: the judicial shall never exercise...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Jul 17, 2015 | The Rule of Law
Constitution The act of law-making itself must be governed by a higher law—a written constitution. Manner and form of passing laws A written constitution should prescribe the mechanism for passing laws. That process must provide for multiple readings, publicity,...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Jul 17, 2015 | The Rule of Law
Who is there that has not paid unjust demands rather than withstand the threat of an action? This man can point to property that has been alienated from his family from lack of funds or courage to fight for it. That man can name several relations ruined by a lawsuit....
by Matthew Bransgrove | Jul 17, 2015 | The Rule of Law
Laws not executed are worse than none, and only teach men to despise law: whereas reverence and obedience go together. —Thomas Gordon. Cato’s Letters No. 57, Of false honour, public and private, Saturday, December 16, 1721. Unwanted laws should be removed from the...
