Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-29

ty. a law ixing a penalty for nur.
urr, does NOT necessarily imply that
az men are disposed to commit that
CRIME; therefore, no imputztion 10 cas-,
upon the whole human race. MIR.
Mclaughlin. VI Nicholas, proposed an
appointment, combining the operation Of
the inquiry To the "county Of Mouou.
gala" This called for "a spirited de-
fence Of the gentlemen Of the bar Of
mat county; and q disclaimer by Mr..
watts, that any such inquiry was ne
eessary as To his county. Mr.. Leigh
thought u highly improper that the IN :
curry. II made at all, should be made
IN reference to any particular county 4;
Tor " reflection were intended on the
bar, he would much rather il should be
general, than particular in its charac-
ter.
MIR. Williams, of Harrison, moved
an amendment. proposing an inquiry
into the expediency Of vacating the
seats OF justices Of the peace who had
taken the benefit OF the inso,vcnt laws.
This, MIR. Leigh deemed much more
Objectionable than the first. He thought
no class sf men could be found in the
Union. or an the ,0orid. more unexcep.
t'onab'e than the justices Of Virginia !;
nor any class in which there were so
lew insolvents. Though he felt much
ct the esprit dr. corps belonging 10 his
profession, yet he would rather an i'm
putatioa should be cast upon the bar.
than upon the Justices Of the peac. Of
Virginia. MIR. Broalnax renudiat.,I
the idea OF Pronouncing insolvency
crime.
Mr.. Witcher, Of Pi,tsylvania, Zone
OF those strong minded and clear head
ed men who occasionally come for ward.
IN despite of defective education and
disadvantageous circumstances,) de.
clared that he could see no i,nputa,iop
upon the bar; and thought that any
gentleman had right to move an in.
qu'ry into any evil coming fairly under
the power Of the Legislature TO RENE
ny. He would not advocate the reso.
luton, u he could see any such stigma.
lie then moved an amendment, strik-
ing out the part relative to receiving
money, and inserting "that no attor.
ney shall be allowed to retain S per
cent. on collections. unless specially
authorised by his client SO to do"
Mr.. Billingsby said, that after oil
that had been said q few words in ex
PLANTATION might be seasonable. He
had no intention to throw an imputa.
ton on the lawyers Of the state. The
evils into which his resolution pro.
posed an inquiry, did exist; and he
presumed that the means for their
reform ought TO emanate FROM the
General Assembly. As to the decla
ration OF the gentleman from Nicholas,
that he did not know any IF the Mo
nongalia bar--he would remind the
gentleman that he bad inquired Of him
(Mr. b. but few days since in re-
gard 60 Mr.. Wilson Of that county
asked after his health-and seea,ed to
De well acquainted with him. The
bar Of Monongalia, was as espect table
a. any other. Its members-with
few excePtions-were men Of charac.
ter and integrity. For his own par,
ne was neither a lawyer nor justice
OF the peace, and God forbid he ever
should be.
Mr.. Witcher's proposition to amend
was agreed to, and thus ended "Much
ado about Nothing'-a farce very Of
ten exhibited here.
The Honse OF Delegates TO day pass.
ed several local bills; but were prin-
cipally occupied with fixing rules Of
proceeding under the new constitution.
Upon this latter subject, much anus
ing, and good deal of unnecessary,
chit chat took place. Mr.. Leigh, re.
neralIy pleasant in his manner, and al.
ways listened to attentiveIy, (even
when wandering little from the mat.
ter in debate, complimenled the house
highly upon its general decorum and
propriety Of behaviour, and contrasted
these with the disorderly conduct of
the U. $. House Of Representatives.
lie saw but little in the rules to amend,
particularly in reference to the man.
ners Of the members. The principal
alteration in the rules. relates to the
numbers OF the respective committees.
A report and bill, changing the road
laws in . very important feature, was
this day presented from the committee
Of roads. &c. A report upon the Par.
kersborg aud Winchester road will nj.
so emanate from said committee in a
day or two. Upon the success Of this
scheme, ! am not so sanguine IS for
mersy. II will, however, be pressed
with untiring zeal and eoergy.
The Senate. by leave Of the House,
this leave being necessary under the
new constitution will adjourn from
Wednesday the god inst. until Wed.
nesdsy the 5th Of January. BY that
time, the House will have finished bu.