Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-15
PIRGLNIq LEGISLATURE.

sunni w the M . EuilOrS " Ill explain the ratSi'
OF Mf. IS. removal. Enquirer.
PIRGLNTa LEGESL.aTTJPE.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Saturday, J.amary I2.-AIr. GAHLANp. in submit
ing the following resolutions remarked that what
had occurred on Yesterday proved the necessity or
explaining tie law relative 10 the duties of the
RegiNer OF the land Office. in such WAY us TO pre-
vent Tor the future that difference of opinion which
at present existed the subject:
Hesotrci, That leave be given to brinr in :: hin;
Ia amend and Explain the GG:i sec Of az ac, cnti-
'ed an Hct To t"dacc INFO one act the several cts
concerning the Land Office, asccriaining a." trr.,S
ana manner OF oi1uiing waste and unaprroI,~iiict
lands, directing the iauie of processionr anal ure-
scrbiag the t!uly Of SURVEYORS"
Mr. MiSOR thought the law n!roalv suCicicri,v
clear and eNplicit, and opposed 40 useless rois
'au"n by Which confusion and uncertainty might he
produced
Mr.. GARLAND replied, that the law nigh, l,c enai
c''hily clear 10 The ecnieman (Nir NJ hui tn him if
was not So The present Register had construed liz,
law IN the SANE with a his predecessors IN az
hce many ornteRcn had thought ii an crrorco,,.
constructions and he hoped the House woul.i xain
we law IN snch mnnner rs 10 remove these differ
cnces ci opinion. He said il would lr seen hy re-
terence To The law, that tlc penalty attached tn the
i'esiSer Tor iaurc TO Icco't, and for culture
TO Irg.
MIR. MINOR read the Goth SECTION Of the general
land law and was opposed to passing Legislative
sanction To any Interpretation which the Rcu;ster
may have given To that law
Mr. SHANNoN was in favor cf the resolution
Most ol the business he said, which was done in the
land Office came from the western parts of The state
IT was transacted through the nStr,Imentav Of lei.
ters and the fees of the Office in some eases maid nj
subsequent tune: u was for the benefit of the
people, and not OF the Register, that he though, an
explanation OF the law necessary. Ii the Register
construction prevailed, IL would enable the uco,Ir
~ the west 70 transact that business in the Office
without sending an indefinite sun, to nav the rrce
This he commended would be done throrIr Individual,
known 10 The Register and whose uunr,,,1litv he
could rely for payment, before tie peiin arrived for
the payment OF the money into the treasury. Rui he
con'enhed, u the construction of the gentleman
from Spotisyvania (Mr. MINOR should he :,,lnnie,l
me people beyond the mountains have am agent
| here, 10 attend to their business
hlr. MENUS thought the law was as plain ms !,
could possibly be made. 1.-THE Legislature explained
all laws about which doubts entertained, they
would have little else do. There was no anibrui
~ ~ The law and no ingenuity could disio,t il into
douDt was ihc leave asked 10 lagaIiZe the Regis
ters conduct? He commended that the policy Of Ihe
law consulted the convenience Of that officer II did
not contemplate that the fees should lie credited ON
anu imposed penalty for the failure to account and
not Tor The failure TO pay.
MIR GARLAND said IL not his intention 10 lcr,I-
re The conduct OF the Register; but TO explain tie
Jaw so as TO he understood alike l,y ALL Its annr,-
iIes, he commended, had fnr the last iree years cost
the commonwealth more than tho fees of the Office
amounted 10. He had no idea Of credun ont the
lees nor OF asking for any amendment to consult
me convenience or interest Of tho Register. He
wOuld hold that officer strict an accOuuabiIitv
as any other and would he ms PROMPT as any member
OF mat House, TO give him up upon the slightest dtre-
licon OF duty He would pledge himself for the rr
giSiet, iI he would adopt any course which tic le-
gISlature might point out. Referring TO the Dractcp
OF former Registers, TO the difference of opinion in
the House, and among intelligent men, MIR g. tho
that justice and propriey required that the law sIond
oe explained IL the construction commended for by
some gentlemen be the correct one, il would reiiiie
on tie part Of The Register AN mpossibi,iv TIE ac-
counts had TO be examined in his oirc y lie auditor
before he could pay the money and il was not al
WAYS III the power of the Auditor to make Ibis exnn,
| nation ~ the end of six months.
MIR. MALLORY, OF o. thought the law so ph,in,
that the gentleman would move 10 instruct tc ST.
torney General to institute prosecution against the
| for the motion.
Mr.. SnERRARD remarked Tint he did not under.
stand the law that IN The election of REGISTER on
yes'erday' other gentlemen in the situation with
himself had refused to vote.
Ms. PATTEsoS, of ~ said very intelligent and on.
ignened men differed IN their construction of ,hjs
IL" ana u nc was IN the Registers place. he would
not e driven from the Interpretation of his prcde-
cesShrs by any man, or set of men on earth. lle
ib0ught an explanation necessary 10 avoid i'm future
tie difficulties encountered on yesterday
| Mr.. CRUNr oi G. had hoped that after the minute
ana attentive examination OF The law on Yesterday
no would believe IN explanation or il nccrss,f
lie sad there WAS no law on the statute book more
explicit. IL the object was TO ask additional pcua
ues Tor Il ihiurc 10 comply with the law. hc would
vote for hc resolution. He hoped the register ynulf
| NOT bc brought into the disctlssion MIR G. insisted
that the law required the fees Of the Office tn be- pai,
INTO The treasury ~ the cud of every six months
But having 10 other means of aSrcrilinng ticir ~
mount except from lie register himself the law hat
allowed six months longer for the rendition and OK
animation of the account He did not complain al
tic registers falling FOR short time to pay IN tie
lees, but oi his continued failure 10 do 80 for q om
series oi tmcs--only paying 1i the end Of the Sc
/ cond SIX months Inc fees accruirg in the first 81,
/ thought the questions before TIC House were : who
ther the postpOncnicnt of ilie power Of The auditor
To nict The penalty, cancelled tic obligation io pa,
/ IN ~ the time the fees fell duo wns The rnVcl
/ oi election Of any service iu ihi~ country Mr. G.
moved 10 strike out the void c,pitU, aud insert th
I word 5uegd
] MIR BLAcKnURN advocated fIi" original rc.nl zion
! He could speak for none but himself 10 his nnN
the law WIS apibiguoHs and required ~ rxphuatiuh
\ lie was atrlid its ambgui.ics would hereafter "
used as trap 90 take IN the register, of whose ntci
lisrncc aud good conduct be spoke IN terms Of liel
COMMUNICATION. lie said the register cotr,cd an ~
ycsugaiiOn oi his conduct aud WIS prepared IN dc
icnd himself upon the CHARGE to wlGrh allu~i,n ha
been made lie did not think the Attorney Genera
required icsola'ion 10 rrunipl him 10 tie di5charg
I ol rs dui,