Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-21
VIRGINIA LEGIsLATURs.
HOUSE OF DELEG.aTES

eeSHuy, req. ia communication was receiv-
cd from the Senate, that they had passed the bills
to reduce. muster fines; to alter the times of hold.
ing the county courts in Montgomery, Wythe and
Giles, with amendments, in which the House
concnrred: That they had rejected the bill con-
corning James Brownlee; and that their committee
had signed sundry enrolled bills.
MIR. Basye reported bill authorisne the U.
States to purchase certain lands AT Smiths Point
(tor the Lighthouse.)
Mr.. Segar made unsuccessful motion to take
up the report concerning Benjamin Hoard a free
man of color
Mr.. Witcher called up the bill authorship spe-
cal sessions of the county courts in chanccry,
with various amendments, proposed by the com
rnittee-One of these proposed TO strike out the
clause tor paying the magistrates selected 20 do
the chancery business, for their services Mr.
Minor proposed to amend this amendment so tina;
the compensation may come out ofthe county levy
instead OF the treasury. This motion produced some
discussion, in which Messrs. Minor, Thomson OF
Amherst, Broadnax and Hunter of Berkeley took
part Ayes II, noes ~ the Speaker yotin4 in Tho
negative, the motion failed The House then re-
fused 10 strike out the section On Mr. Marshalrs
motion, an amendment was adopted, putting il in
the power Of the Magistrates chosen To do the
Chancery business, TO decline acting. On Mr. All
mand's motion, the authority was given to
magistrates OF granting injuHctons in vacation
MIR. Barton then moved TO strike out the whole
OF the section, as amended, which provided for the
payment of magistrates. In this motion he was
supported by remarks from Messrs. Watts s Hun
Ter Of Berkeley, s. opposed by Messrs THOMPSON
OF Amherst, Eppes, Witcher, McCiin,ick & Page.
The motion failed. After the abortion of several
other amendments, the House ordered the hill IN
be engrossed-95 10 IL
An engrossed bill re-organizing the Board OF
Pubic Works, ana for other purposes, was taken
up Sundry blanks being to fll-fhe first as to fhe
pay of the ex-oificio members of the Board.-Nr
Williams moved 10 fill il with $500 to each per an
num-. Mr.. Minor moved one dollar. He said the
cX-oiflclo members were saaried officers of the
government, and he was not disposed 10 increase
their salaries. MIR. Williams, said that as vo,,
give these officers much additional duty TO par
form, it was but just that You give them more
pay.
The blank was filed with 800, after considcra-
bic discussion. The salary OF the Principal Eng-
neer was fixed at $500 from the 18th January.
1929 (being 1000 dollars less than his present
saary.)
The appointment of Collector for the Board Of
Public Works with a salary OF 5000 was abol-
shed by the bill. and the duties assigned 10 the Sc
cond Auditor, whose compensation was fixed AT
500 for that extra service.
Mr.. Miller called for the Ayes e Noes, and the
bill passed, Ayes 105, Noes 66.
YEsTERDAY-Mr. Spencer obtained leave 10
bring in a bill 10 legalize the appointment Of a
Commissioner of the kevenue of Greensvillc, made
in November last
Reports were presented from the Committees bv
Messrs. Kimbrough, and White OF r.
An engrosscd bill concerning county courts in
Chanceyy was taken up and several blanks filed
The number of Magistrates to be chosen for the
performance ofthe special duty, was fixed at s.
with compensation Of 50 per day for each days
service.
Mr.. Gordon opposed the bill, because he thought
It created an improper distinction among the ma
gistrates, and required this distinction TO be con
ferred by the magistracy themselves lie appre-
hended It would be the first step towards the des.
truction Of the county court system re any OF the
magistrates are 10 be paid, il will be asked why
not pay aIl' The county court system was the
best and most impartial that could be devised; and
approached nearest TO the tri. by jury. The bill
required that two courts should be held for the
dispatch OF Chancery business, which at present the
courts had the power take up, al the 2cours
lie contended that the bill would DO no good and oc-
casion an expense Of so 900 year. The reason he
said, why the Chancery Docket was neglected, was,
that the Lawyers lived in dispersed county situa-
tions; they did not 90 TO Court with the expccta-
ton OF taking up that Docket, and seldom had
time to examine the papers and exhibits at the
courthouse. II was therefore their fault aud moi
the fault OF the Court, that the Chsncery business
was not disposed Of. The causes sleeping on tho
docket were, IN most cases old, and of little i'm
por'ance That they were not taken up, was not
the grievance complained Of by the people they
complained that they were taken from their FAINT
lies and homes, some hundred miles in pursuit Of
equity, at great sacrifices both personal and pecu-
MARY. lie thought that the provisions Of the bill
would operate TO dsqualify the Magistrates who
acted under il, from holding seats on that floor
and who, he asked, would be thus DISTINGUISHED for
The raliFy compensation proposed % be paid Yoa