Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-16

following letter from the Judges Of the
court Of Appeals
To the Homoura6ie the Speaker of the House
IF Delegates.
RICHMOND, Dec. 6, 1919.
SIR-The reports of the decisions OF
the Court of which we are members. for
nearly three years back, are in arrear and
unpublished. The very respectable gen.
ileman who has heretofore published such
reports, has been prevented by various
causes from performing that duty.-The
accounts Of the decisions OF that period
are, III most Instances, locked up in his
office. While this circumstance produces
10 us some Inconvenience in the discharge
OF our public duties, il may be highly
detrimental TO the best interests of the
community. For want of know ledge
OF these decisions, our fellow citizens are
disabled from conforming thereto; coun.
sci cannot advise their clients of The ac,
tual state of the law of our country, and
Judges render DEGREES and judgments.
which, when these decisions coaie TO be
inspected, will, in many cases, be re-
versed. This Is a state OF things which
we humbly conceive, requires some cor.
rection. Ii Is important that the exposi-
liens OF the law, by the court OF the last
resort, should he as much promulgated
as the acts themselves which have been
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS has shewn, that,
when lett TO private enterprise only, this
important function will not be sufficient
ly attended 10. Hence arises the neces-
silly, IN our opinion, 10 place the subject
under public patronage.-We are OF opin-
ION that suitable character ought to be
appointed, under the authority of the le-
slsiaiure, 10 publish these reports; and
tIla' they should be promulgated shortly
after the decisions have been made.-We
are also of opinion, that, TO ensure the
services of proper character, and to
compensate him for his constant attend
ance IN the court, TO the injury Of his
business in other courts, an adequate sa-
larry ought 10 be given him, in aid of the
emoluments arising from The sale Of his
books.-We do not doubt but that. on
these terms, a gentleman might he pro-
cn,ed who would perform the work with
hdellfy persplcui;y and breviy-Thee x-
ample of the National Legislature i'm hav-
iig lately furnished a Reporter 10 the Su-
pr me Court of the United States, is. i'm
our opinion, worthy of imitation.-Witb
great respect, we have the honour to be-,
Sir, your Obedieni Servants,
SPENCER ROANE.
FRANCIS T. BROOKE,
VIM. III CABELL,
JOHN COALTER.
This letter was referred 10 the commit
Tee for Courts of Justice.
On motion OF MIR. Thompson, leave was
given to bring in bill, "io require the
officers of bodies polite and corporate 10
teside within this State, and for other
purposes"
On motion Of Mr.. Mayo, the petition
from Washington county, on the subject
of the navigation of The north fork of Hol-
stein river was wthdrawn-anda al his mo-
lion, resolution was then passeI for re
questing the Board of Public Works 10
enquire into the expydiency of directing
their engineer TO examine the situation OF
the Middle Fork of the Holsiein river.
from the state line of Tennessee to the
highest pOinisof which II is susceptible at
navigation by boais-iO report TO the
Rex' Legislature as TO The practicabIlity
OF improving its navigation.
The &. for e.. of. wasdi>cIlarged from
idr'hef consideration OF the act OF Mary.
landrespecting the bouBdary beiw cen that
state aud Virginia ana tbs said act WAS
then referred TO the committee of The
whole House.
On moIion of Mr.. Brown of Bath, the
c. OF Il. and J. n. was Instructed To en-
qure INTO ,he xpedieucy oiamen,iine the
act OF 1918, appointing ii commissioner to
examine The Instructions to The naviga.
ton i'll the Ohio river.
On MIR. Ciarkc's nV.iou. the same cen,-
miiter Vas instructed 10 make similar
enquiry as 10 tie charter Tor establishing
turnpike road from Manchester TO Pc
tersburg.
On motion Of MIR. Smith of Isle of
Wight, leave was gwen To bring III d bill
" To repeal all act eniItled An ari io re-
dHce into on *, tie several acts, against
USwy, and 10 regulate The rate OF u;cr-
eel within ibls Commonwealth"
MIR. Holt submitted resolution for "a
doping the following rule for The House
Any member offering a petition TO the
consideration ct the House shall state the
substance thereof IN concise manner,
and the reading thereof shall. be dis
pensed WITH, unless required by some
member OF The House"-wiiich resolution
was, on MIR. Weddings motion, laid OIL
the table.
On motion of Mr.. Mayo, leave was
givtB 10 bring in a bill, TO amend tie
laws " concerning attOrIIIes prosecuting
10 the county and superior courts OF la "
Of heiIalf OF the CoDmOnws aIth, and tor
The more efiectual collection OF fines
incurred under the penal laws of this
Commonwealth"
Petitions we're read-FYOm Barbara w.
Peiius OF Hanover, for divorce from
her husband Hugh NJ. Petius-From the
children and legatees of James Reaborn,
decd. OF Montgomery, for leave to sell
certain Iand-From Robert Bray, AN
emancipa,ed man of colour, to remain
within the commonwealth From Tho
mas BrlscOe, Administrator de bomiS non OF
John Mcmillan, OF Prince William, for
leave o sell certain laves-Irom Notion