Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-17

=" eo""e Az" w" '"iS subject, Your r,n
mi'tee beg leave tosuggest the proprie,v y. .Sn'
lowing the District 10 be represented h. VA :" a.
ega'e in the House Of Representatives "a; a%'
same manner as other Territories. " %
II has now population which, in anr.,.
States, would entiIle it to msnber n " = 'e
gress and greater than any Of the yerr;, W.
which are now thus represented. ., ~ y.
be some link between the Governmen, ,, |.e
people governed: lie, some principle Of WV, 'a'
sentation be observed. Even the enio,m m"s,
this limited political privilege would b. ro"'.S
cred, it is hoped, valuable boon to IN. ~
pie, ard produce salutary cons, qurnce, ~,
for their fist 0elega'e, they should hsDr,r
choose one Of the revisers Of their laws, (sh..H|
any be appointed he nigh, afford ,ery ",'t.
and efficient aid in their passage.
AfYr providing a bill for the a,po;Dr..
OF commissioners, your committee, would \
glad. for The present, 10 leave the subie,I. ~
there are some matters of such pressing .r. y.
cy as cannot with proprie'y,be deIsyed,S o1.s
Immediately TO be presented 10 the con,i,.''
ton of the House.
A subject Of the first importance is ri,
inal code, adapted TO the new penteOi,r
which your committee will propose IN as ,i-
pie form as possible, and more with avis
10 temporary purposes than as 2erm,r,.
sy stem, which ought 10 fall under the m,,.,
consideration of The rtvi,eis
The mex subjec, Of the mos, general r,,,.,
relates TO the courts Of justice In ,e.,io, I.
ibis, as will be seen by the annexed paprr, >,
rious schemes have been proposed; and sis.
out, al this time, undertaking distinctly to D.
lermne which is The best, your commit Il
no, hesitate to say, that some change, are Il
solu,ely demanded by every consideration m, /
ing from justice and proprie,y.
IT. lieu of The present iniquitous and opm,
sive system Of justices Court, il might {,
pedient to institute monthly court in ear
city, 10 be composed of three or four e,r.,
ment Of talents and sanding, who, irdi,I,,b
should be authorized 10 take confessions
judgments, and 10 issue process in ilIp,gi
cases, returnable in court, that its iurisGci,
should be considerable in cival cases and aa
it should try all criminal cases no! CAPT d
punishable in the penllentiaIy. II is b,lieIs
thai such court would be amply sufficient
all lis Legitimate purposes, and that, by ats.
ishing the power OF The presen, magistrate
constables, grea, blessing would be conirrs
upon the community, and especially upon h
pour.
In regard TO a division Of the power and d..
ties Of the Circuit Court,much greater dIfs.sI
ty arises, and greater diversity Of Opiror pt
walls. Independent Of the different plans Which
are proposed to your commi,,ee, the (olloVY
has been under their consideration: 10 ,rNli
Court Of Chancery, independently ofrhe Cina
Cour'; transfer TO the chancellor all the poWm
and du'ie. Of the judges Of The Orph.r', Con-
in both COUNTS in which he shall be oblea
to hold court monthly; that he should aypor
a register in each county, who should mol OIL
perform he apr opriale duties Of regi,'aE
chancery, Gu, also Of the Orphans Court, viii
perhaps, some additional powers. ThisWaa
be economic al: and it is believed The c aHt-
lor would be fully competent 10 perform ts
duties propused.
On the subject Of trials by the judges oih
Circuit Court, your committee are decided!
IN favor OF nisi prius system.
1t may be said that, the measures propose
will involve considerable expense. What 'htG
Can this local nondescripi Government b;mt
tanned wi'hou, expense' Certainly not 10
whom else can the people look but 10 Congr'H
Where else can they go,nol only ol the pro~'
ton Of their personal rights, po!i'icaI they h's
few, but for aid in the promotion oil learning
science and the arts--of domestic IHdu'T
aud local Improvements In short, The nr
encouragement 10 all useful insullo'' ~
objects within the Disttict, which SaeGN
ernmen, ought TO extend to similar ms lU'"
and objects within its own liml 5; noIHdl'u'
ly, and in profusion, bu, in that ca'i,H'H
liberal manner, as will most economltsF ~ ~.
efficiently combine individual en'efprlt wa
public bounty for the general good. h''"
con sIituionsl scrupIes can operate: t'ns'',
has the power Of exclusive lreIsla'ior' ~
rher eiore, justice and expeditncy are the ci
questions; and it is 10 the jusIIee ans v"
dom Of Congress, and Congress a''",
which this people can appeal lo' ?t''
age and protection: and this q pe'
believed, can never be made in vain
Without further extending this report ~
committee beg leave to conclude BY '4l"5
that they will endeavor soon to p'tp'" ..
present bills which shall embrace mo" !"
jec's that appear to your commute 80.
greatest immediate importance, and m''' ?"
sing urgency.