were heard to condemn candidates for
"swilling the planters with bumbo",[72] or bemoan the "corrupting
influence of spiritous liquors, and other treats ... inconsistent with
the purity of moral and republican principles", the complainants
almost always turned out to be candidates who themselves had recently
been rejected at the polls.[73]

_The Transition From Colony to Commonwealth_

The War of Independence caused little change in Virginia's system of
county government. The county court system was carried over into the
state constitution of 1776 with only the oath of office changed to
call for support and defense of the constitution and government of the
Commonwealth of Virginia.[74] The General Assembly became the
successor to most of the functions of the colonial House of Burgesses
and Governor in Council, but significantly the principle of the
separation of powers established for the commonwealth was not extended
to the counties. Thus, the mix of powers, privileges and duties which
comprised the authority of the gentlemen justices in colonial times
was continued, as was the custom of appointment for life.

How little the transition from colony to commonwealth changed the
justices' own view of their position was illustrated in 1785 when the
new governor issued new commissions reappointing the justices of
Fairfax County's court. The justices refused to accept the new
commissions, and pointed out to the governor in a long letter that
this duplication of oaths would set a bad precedent and risk giving
the executive undue powers over the court. Far from being an
artificial objection, the letter noted, this latter point was
extremely touchy for the justices' standing in a great many matters
was based on seniority, and both the prestige and chances for
financial rewards that went with the office depended on this
standing.[75]

The most noteworthy changes in the organization of local functions
came as a result of the disestablishment of the Church of England.
That portion of all local officials' oaths which called for supporting
and defending the church was dropped, but, more important, abolition
of the parish vestry made it necessary to lodge its non-religious
functions elsewhere. In 1780, therefore, the General Assembly created
county boards of Overseers of the Poor.[76] Most other welfare
activities were added to the responsibilities of the county court.[77]

While the basic philosophy of Virginians regarding the