Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-12-20
FOR THE ENQUIRER

To The members of the Tfrginiu Legislature
GENTLEMEr.I have great respect for your
patriotism and good sense; and do not presume TO
address you from belief of being able to instruct
you But as one of the people, you will T. lot cen.
sure me tor ihfowing out few IDEAS for your con
sdera'ion In doing SO, shall express what |
believe to be the opinions Of great majority OF
your constituents
We have complained. for some years, of the e.
normous expen-e at which our laws are enacted:
you draw from The pockets IF the people abnut
SiiU,OOo annually. What aggregate amount of
benefit d we derive Iron this expendi,ureo Since
pthe revision in 1919, all the laws tia, have
been passed rOrth the COS, of legislation for a
ssngfe year! As one of the people, have often
shen ur, at the end OF session, your revolutions
Y acts, 10 see the resuli of the labor of 23S men for
three months. What have been MY reflections,
leave to be suggested by the mere inspection of
your session acts. have often wonder ed how
zoo men could be go long employed about yha,
seems 10 me, ought not TO be more than the work
oil three or Tour weeks for many laborers
am aware that some formality and delay are ne
cessary, and some discussion proper, in Legislative
prcceedings--and that many bills are dirested ard
pass through all the usual forms, only to be reject
eu But, is II no, probable that, in these particu
| lars, TOO much time is wasted? have seen some.
hing OF the proceedings of your body, and beg
ieaVe' win all becoming respect, to point out a
JeV OF the causes which prolong your sessions.
| X.
'heir first presentation. has been dispensed with,
no more trouble has been thrown upon the com
uittees; Tor when they were read in me House.
very lew members attended TO them, from the cons
Viction, perhaps, that their merits were 10 he in
ves'gated by committee. The introduction OF
,nls rue mas resulted in an economy of lime. -
Dut your committees too large. The verv
size OF them produces difficulty in forming QUO.
rum ior business; since each member supposes tb,,
ms presence can scarcely be required; and if he
oe NOT charged with some special business from
MS county he is apt to indulge his social disposi-
'lon' seek amusement or the qualification of his
curiosity, instead of repairing to the commi,,e.
rooms In the morning 1t is saic frequently TO
happen, that the individuals who commence ,bo
investigation OF the merits of subject do not e.
haiiy decide upon the report TO be made Those
VINO decide have necessarily to call for the read
ing oil papers that had been before read and cons.
aereu' anu from this mode of forming their opin-
'SH' are not aoie TO arrive go certainly at truth
Anolher inconvenience arises from this nuc,uat :
ing Character OF the committees: The GENERAL
principles on which one caste of the COMMITTEE
may determine 10 proceed, Liable 10 be CHANGED
" 1ho'her-i not actually changed, the effor,
produces discussion, and delays PROCEEDINGS
Inc mode then, in which the reports are formed
IN committees, give them less weight in the House
and Is strong inducement TO motions IN ra,.sra
mem -moiions that bring on discussions and in.
'oiVe an examination OF all the testimony T'bess
uol!ohs sometimes result In the reversal of The n
p"'o"S U! the committee on the merits of The
question; but they more frequently take Mace IN
ION equehce OF an appeal 10 the cotrfesy of the
fAou-e' under the promise that if the subject he
permitted 10 progress he mover sswiII be enabled
10 satisfy the House, that what is proposed ouob,
70 De done This, gentlemen, is one of the causes
"ia' pIoionS your sessions. You are aware tha,
when the House votes the prayer of petition r,a.
9onaoe' 'he Introduction of bill follows as a
matter OF course This bill has 10 be prepared by
the committee, which delays their PROCEEDINGS II
Nho" tAs committee clerks do that duty. but the
eohnit'ee has to hear he bill read and instruct
.ne chairman 10 report t.) 1t has 10 be read in
'he Rouse by the clerk and if long one, consumes
much time; and it rarely happens through the or.
cess OF courtesy, that il is discussed until on i,s
passage thus 1t has delayed the committee; II
must deisy the House by three several readings
"'er having consumed the time of The clerk of The
committee and the clerk of the House, in its for
nis'suh and eDsrossment, when they might have
osen more useiully Employed At every Stare NJ
us progress lie patron, to use the cent phrase NJ
your f1aiI' makes speech Of some Sort if only 10
l"pioFe 'he courtesy of The House 40 permi, il
10 progress" and consume their time until il
SUIT his conyenIence TO be prepared 10 defend a.,
iDeIHs-And on The question of It's passage, if OBJ.
Jec'Ionable, IL Is discussed and rejected All ,bis
Was'e oil tune and labor nigh have been saved
Pefhsps' by different organization Of your com.
H',ieesi al any rate, iy opposing the resolution
"neh oHeTed Tor the adoption of The House If
- '"i' '''he' me friends oil the proposition should
MOI De prepared 10 discuss il, let il be Iid ~, t5
ea0te UHtiE they are, In this discussion. onIx ,bs
merI's can be involved, aud they can no "a o. II,
uec'ded IN the adoption of resolution. as on the
passage OF Dill Ii strikes that if this course
were aa'plel IN relation TO ell local or privats
50 Jsct@' mach time would be saved The pm
cipe In such cases being decided the details conid
n buf lie L.
on great questions of general interest, Ibis courss
ought not 1" be pursued And, you act upon 50
lew OF them, judging from the session scty. tina,
you might even take more time than ,ou do
In ihsiT confederation. The agitation of such
SUBJECTS even when no enactment is the result.
mas q tenjency TO elicit light, and cause men 10
Iehsct. do not complain Of The time con-um,
by them, when sgitsted by able and exoer,enred
men. III 49, however, too apt to be the case, that
mere iyTo, both IN the business Of life and legis
ltuon, iancie- be sees some glazing defects in
general law and, wishing 10 di.play comm,n. =,
Gable zeal IN the public service II not q cspacify
IN we usenafge ct legislative duties, seeks 10
's"sJy mem las wei meant efforts may take
up few hours; ADD O. they end in 70 practical
benefit they present him 70 the public as a csndi
date Tor distinction in useful services. Ho il
schooied by men Of more years and create, az
peiience' and IN the end may find himself oual fed
70 Telief Tue same kind service 10 others And
~ '"'S way we must consent to pay Tor the tut
ton oil iniure stalemen, and ihe transmission ia
The rising generation, Of our stock Of experience
ana prudence But, there is a description of men
young and old, whose peculiar qusliiies too fire.,
fuen'iy procure them seats among you. mean
men 'ome yan.ty,s who sec imperiectisns in
si ihe works OF others, and whose generous am
DuO"' prompts 'hem on so many occasions, 10
otter you The benefits Of their greater wisdom
ne mo iyesbs which they are sctusied are dopb,
less he kndest imaginable, so far as they relate 70