Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-02
The Richmond WEniS.
GlSNA2ss a.. ASSRi "a gsaY.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

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TurSp>Y, Feb. %.
The Senate havc passed the hills-to authorize
n lottery to construct ridge across the South
Shenandoah in the county Of Rocking hain--to
amend act establishing ferries across the 81.
Sandy and Oho housekeeping the mode Of
appointing Ovcrsccrs ofthc Poor in the town Of
Pc;crsburg--,o alter and amend the laws against
the Keepers and cNhibiiors OF unlaw full ramcs-al.
sn, with amendments the bills, au,horizin., the
Guyandottc Turnpike Company to extend their
road--to amend an act authorizing the extension
and Improvement ot the navigation OF the Kappa.
hammock river and It's branchcs--which wcre n
greed to-
The Senate have likewise agreed to tho amend
mcnt by the House to their amendments to IN act
regulating the manner OF granting licenses to retail
ardent sprits--and they have rejected the hill
concerning William ID. Mcrrwethcr.
On motion of Mr.. Smith of G.. leave was given
TO bring in bill to protect the fisheries York
ri-nr.
On motion Of Mr.. Keller, lcavc was given to
bring i'll h,ll authorizing lottery for the improve
ment of the navigation of the north fork OF Hol.
ston river and for the Improvement Of the streets
and alleys of the town of ABINGDON.
On motion of Mr.. Patteson of b. committee
was appointed to enquire into the cxrcdiency of
changing the time for holding the spring and fa
terms OF the Superior Courts OF Law and Chance
~ for the county of Buckingham
On motion OF Mr.. Carter of L. w. the bill TO
provide for the Sercction of a monument over the
remains Of George Washington taken up and
ordered 10 be engrosScd
n
tune and passcd:-l. Concerning the county of
Northampon-2. Concerning delinquent and for.
teitcd lands, and providing for the sale of lands
returned delinquent hereafter for the non. pa ncni
of taxes-3. To regulate the tolls on stage coach
ss on the kcnawha Turnnkc-4. To form new
county out of parts of Shenandoah and Frederick
.. For the supply of the Pcnitentiary with water
%. Providing for the preservation of fish and
wild fowl in the waters of tho Potomac.
On motion of Mr. Boiling, the House adjourned.
Remarks Of Mr.. Mayo, in the House Of Delegates
the subject of transferring the collection of
the Revenue in the city of Richmond, from the
Sheriff of iicnrico To the Sergeant Of that city.
MIR. SPEAKER: 1t is embarrassing to mo, at any
time TO address body enlightened as this, bu,
particularly the present occasion, from the
great Importance of the subject, as il affects the
interest of the county which nave the honor to
represent; yet, sir, prompted by of duty,
must ask the indulgence of the House for i short
time, while i cndcavor in Il few words, to present
some of the reasons which think ought to intlu
cncc ii TO concur with the Committee in their Re-
port; and reject the amendment proposed by the
member from the city of Richmond. The Commit
tee OF Finance, TO which was referred the Rcsou-
ton offered by the gentleman from the city of
Richmond, which has for its object, to take the
collection of the revenue, within the Corporation
of Richmond, from the Sheriff of the county of
Henrico, and to bestow IT on the Sergeant Of the
city, has, think very Justly and properly reported
such measure iueXpcdcnt. And now, sir il is
asked that the Report be amended by the House so
as TO declare IL cNpcucn,-cNpcdcnt To DESTROY the
Cunuty Court of Henrico! At one blow to destroy
the Court of the county which have the honor TO
represent! That this would be the consequence,
cannot he doubted. There in the county of
Hcnrico, some eighteen twenty acting Mogis-
tratcs, many of whom live at the distance of fifteen
twenty miles from the Court House, so that it
is sometimes difficult to form Court at ALL and it
not unircQucnty happens, that in a term of ten
days, there will not be Court more than four or
five, though the business might require the whole
term of ten days. 1t must nc conceded, ! think |
by ALL that the prospect of the Sheriiflty is sti
mulant To the Magistrate TO discharge the duties
oil his office, since 1t is considered in the light of
remuneration for his services II we have difficult
~ in forming Courts under the existing state of
things, how much would that difficulty he incrcas
Cd by taking away all encouragement from the
Magistrate? BY cutting off the cmoluments of the
Sherifalty? Think you, sir, that the change
sought to be made, Will offer any stronger induce
ment TO the Magistrate to discharge his duties a
sacrifice OF his limo and personal convenience,
when Just as he is about to receive some sma II com
Pcnsaton, you, by measure like that now propos-
cd, snatch 1T from his hands, and close the door of
hope against him and his successors? What course
think you that he would take? Is it probable
that one thus disappointed will continue to serve?
Or is it not much more likely that he will resign?
Yes, sir, he Will. And he will carry with him all
his brethren. And for what is all this 10 be done?
Not surely that the collection of the revenue may
bo bestowed on the Sergeant of tho city of Rich
mond. That officer is elected annually, and the
present incumbent has found it to his interest to
continue for many years in succession even before
the new jail was built for the city; which, if am
correctly informed, has already taken from the per
quIscs of the lIGnrco Shcrifialty about $500 per
annum. lie surely IS not complaining. But the
gentleman from Richmond tells you, that from his
acquaintance with the gentlemen composing the
Maglstracy of this county he believes that the
patriotism is sufficient safeguard against their re-
sIgnatIon, In case you adopt the mcasure-th9t il
Will not influence them in the discharge of their
dutles-that they would perform them without any
hope OF compensation. Has that gentleman for
gotten the experiment which has been fairly
tried in the city? II is but reasonable to pre-
sumo, that Magistrates residing within a stones
throw of the Court House, attend Court
with much less trouble and expense than those who
have to ride many miles. Yet, sir, it has been
found eXpedicnL to appropriate sum of money
for the purpose of paying the magstracy Of this
city; and now, sir, believe they never fail to make
a court. We, ofthc county, ask no other compcu-
sation than that which has been afforded to us
heretofore; which had right TO expect when
commissioned, and such has been and will be
extended to all other Magistrates in this Common
wealth. From my knowledge of gentlemen com
posing our Court do not believe they desire any
other pay. AS one of that body and answering
Tor myself, | am opposed to any other mode of
compensation. Wherefore do the citizens of Rich.
mond complain, since by Il reference to the docket
ut HenricO County Court, an extract from which
l hold IN my hand, it Will be found that Of 23G
causes the docket, The people of the county are
interested in only tiy-fye! IT often happens chat
the most difficult causes which wc have TO act
nrc those very cases in which citizens of Rich
niond arc the parties They therefore as
much, nay more interested IN the regularity of our
courts than VIC of the county. Every one knows
the expense, inconvenience, and sometimes injus-
ticc, arising from rrcgunrity in forming courts.
Witnesses summoned, perhaps from a distoncc
attending day after day, and the net called
prisoners ia I"Ii, perhaps innocent, Obliged tn