Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-12-28
HOUSE or Delegates.

Petitons were presented by Messrs Spurlocke and
McIIauri,in
bring IN bill to amend the several acts concerpiur
Piiots and regulating their fees Referred to Messrs
Rutherford, Leland, Maxwell, Drumuond Jones
Buroot. Halybufion, Mcfarland, Rves of p Geor
and Brodnax
Mr.. Leland offered the following resolution:
Rrsoived, Tint the Committee for Courts of Jus
tice he instructed to enquire into the expectancy of
go amending he laws in relation the Sheriffs as 10
require security from those Ulcers proportional to
the amount of taxes, officers fees and executions in
the respective counties of the Commonwealth.
Ihe resolution adopted.
Mr.. Garland of Nelson offered the following rcso-
lution
Resolved That the ed Auditor Law before this
House statement OF the investments made by the
State IN public improvements unconRec ed with pri
va'e Companies, and the annual dividend upon such
since the establishment OF the p-esen: tariff of tolls;
also statement of investments made in improve
mons conducted by private Companies, together
with the annual dividends upon each of the last five
notwithstanding his report tho several counties
IN which such investments have been matie
MIR Garland said thai the State had in some in
stances conducted improvements by her means
ana IN others by aiding private enterprise His OBJ
jet was 10 ascertain which the efficient.
The resolution adoped
On motion of Mr. Rives of Campbell The Commit
tee of Road and Navigation were instructed 10 en-
quire into the expediency of changing the organ,zn-
ton of the Board OF Public Works, and transferring
their dutieo to other officers of tho Government in
reply to a remark of Mr. Williams of Harrison, Mr..
h professed his friendliness to the Board: his OBJ
Ject was to ascertain If it could not be yendered
efficient.
Mr.. Holland offered resolution instructinr the
Committee of Finance TO enquire INFO the expeGien-
cy Of reducing he pay and mllage Of members OF the
General Assembly.
Mr. Wicher said this hect had, a, varions times
been brough, to the consideration of the Gems al
Assembly He should vote for il. because the sals-
RES of the Officers of the Government generally,
would be brought under revision, and being of opil-
he nlorla
willing TO begin the work of retrenchment with his
own The embarrassed situation of the country,
demanded economy He was friendly to moderate
saares--nat so much account Of the injury to the
people, from the payment of high salaries as
from the consequences of extravaganza to which they
conducted. IF the resolut should. as be hoped It
word, be adopted, and bill reported, he Should then
be ready 10 present his views to the House. Willing
10 have his own vote recorded. Mr. w called for the
ayes and noes, and the call was sustained by the
House
Mr. VHlians of Harrison said, he agreed in the
opinion that when salaries to be- reduced. we
Ought to Begin wi'h our But this mad not
yet taken place he hoped would be LEI, m statue
quo, and those Of other officers increased for he
satisfied they in many cases, TOO low, he should
therefore vote against the resolution lie hoped the
gentleman from Pitfsylvnniu, (Mr. Wcher,) did rot
mean to jnsinuute, by calling for the and noes,
thai gentlemen would vote differently when their
names to be published Moderate salaries
wss the word, but hose moderate salaries
would not fa TO introduce moderate men.
Mr.. Witcher discaimnd any insinuaon like that
oneeured, and explained the motive Of his call for
the sves and noes Phe resolution was of some i'm
pnrfance, connected with the probable events of
the eession. and he might in its progress be under
others he willing 10 record the evidence of his
consent to reduce his own pay He was dNsrous of
showing that he melted TO himself the same measure
that he mecd 10 others. lie did assent TO the
opinion that high salaries procured the best talents.
The tendency of high salaries was 10 ,ncreass Office
hun'ing to fill the country with swarms Of expec
tants and dependents looking TO places. This enden
cy more preudicia to the morals Of the country
than the amount OF salaries curious 10 the PEG
pie If he believed that high sries would secure
the best talents, he slosd be disposed be liberal;
but. modest and retiring men, generally pn eslne
the beet talents, would be showed aside by those who
wished Office merely for the sake Of the emoIunan.
b1r. w. alluded TO the hardness Of tn" times in his
section Of the country-the low price of staple pro-
dues, and the oppression Of the country, calling
for The measure of retrenchment and to the effect of
high salaries to produce high living and overthrow
the simplicity Of republican manners. Man was an
initiative animal, and The eEtravagancc induced by
high salaries initiated 10 the ruin of many. One
of the evils under which we laboTed, the habi' of
living above income.
Mr. Miller Of Bofetourt moved TO lay tho rcsolu-
ton on he table-in order to give many who were
absent an opportunity Of voting it, aud 10 save
time by having it decided promptly
Mr. WTttns concurred ir the views of The gentle
maO from Bot our; the resolution ought 10 be
viewed as affecting the officers Of the Government
generally and leading to rule for their salaries and
required IIme for consideration
The resouo was then laid on he table
The ong,osscd bill authorizing the Board Of Pubic
Works To make further subscription to tho stock #
tbs Wels6urg and Washington Turnpike Company.
having been read ID rme--tbe situation Of the
z mpny and The ra5sous Of the application. were cx-
blamed al some length by Mr.. Campbell. of Brooke
Mr. VenaOe, advortsd 10 the uom ro1s arri.ca
tons made Tor assstarce from he Fund Of In cruul
improvement aad tie v'ron principle upon which
the, were founded Tho aw regulating Size mode
q distfibu ing The cid Of nat fund seemed TO Jc ST
Th' 81; and N nrdcr 60 establish some certain rule.
Mr. mrved to Jay The BIZ for the p7esen, On the
tab (Which was agreed 10
The cucrossed bill forming new county BIZ TOE
name OFF yd' out Of the county of Montcome 5 @.
was read be 81 time and pasacd-by large major
jty.