Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-22
General Assembly Of Virginia.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Fridau, January Is.

election of Judge OF The Court Of Appeals, 10 supply
the vacancy occasoned by The death OF Judge William
Brockenbrough
MIR STEPHENSON moved 10 postpone the election until
this day week. Mr.. s confessed he was not exactly
able to tell where he STOOD and he anxious for
cert and harmony
Mr.. Boris opposed the pos,ponemen, but suggested
whether the question ought moi first be taken upon
executing the JOINT order.
Mr.. SERVANT thought the rule ught 10 be suspended
The CHAIR declared this unnecessary and referred 10
the rule which requires Joint order 10 be executed at IL
o'clock, in preference to all other business.
Mr.. BORIS proceeded He said if the term intrigue
might be used in the in which the gentleman from
Accomac had used the other day. not Extensively, he
thought there had been enough of it. The longer the
election put off, the greater difficulty there would be
in uniting members. What GOOD he asked, would re-
suit from such course: Why are not gentlemen pre-
pared If Rumor spoke true, there ten or twelve
candidates Were gentlemen not acquainted with The
peculiar qualifications of any Of lhese' DO they
ask time TO inquire Reconstruction would but increase
the difficulty When the election was first proposed il
stated that the Court in session, and il i'm
porlan 10 fill the vacancy Immediately Had any thing
iIanspired TO change The condition OF afairs'
The question was then taken on the motion to post,
pone, and decided in the negative.
Mr.. Boris said that when he offered the resolution
for election, days since md barely n,ima,ed
that when the time arrived he should present the
of gentleman whose claims would bear the srictest
scrutiny-one who possessed pre- eminent qualifications
and yet made special reference 10 any individual
it the general understanding here and throughout
the country that he alluded 10 Robert Stanard. What
higher tribute he asked could be paid 10 this gentle
man, than this universal acknowledgment of his pre-
eminent qualifications If Mr. S. were stranger 10
the members Of this House. to the Slae-if his pre-
tensions doubtful, Mr.. B would feel it his duty TO
presen, them in detail But bis merits need comment,
praise. 1t would be in bad taste 10 say more than
that the place is vacant and that Mr. Stanard is pre-.
scented for the seat This is infinitely more important
than the election Of Senator One is for six years, the
other for ie This is upon whose decisions the title
of yhola nF hp no
voved The gentleman presented, is one Of unexcep.
tonabe private characler-above suspicion and without
reproach. He possesses intellect expansive and ri.
gan=-caPable Of analysing and graspng any and every
subject In Short he has The character of being among
the best if the very best lawyer in Virginia. MIR.
b rested upon these claims and Iet confident the deci
sion Of the House would be in favor Of MIR. Stanard
There being pause the SPEAKER requested MIR. Bolts
TO announce the Senate the readiness Of the House 10
proceed
When Mr.. Sm,rH of of w. arose and said, that be.
fore the message delivered the Senate, he felt it
bis duty 10 present the Of another gentleman. He
was free say, that he himself like the gentleman
from Tyler rather unprepared 10 day, and would prefer
the postponement He had been in his seat but few
days, and would have preferred little longer time
When he first heard OF the vacancy, his attention was
fixed upon gentleman, whose industry and la.
borous habits, and character as a working member OF
this House, known to all the members Mr.. s. al
luded Judge John F. May of Petersburg. Possessing
talent for euogy, Mr. S. would attempt none on this
occasion 1t not necessary 10 do So More than &c.
venty members Of this House could bear testimony 10
Judge Mays business talents; and he was just such
man we now wanted for the office. From docu.
ment twenty four Of the last session, 1t would appear
there were 2S7 suits the docket of the Court OF APP
peas Since that time there have been ~ decided, and
63 commenced that the docket has been reduced only
suits. The fact would show that there was necess.
II for adding 10 that bench gentleman OF first rate
business talents in the prime OF life and vgor OF
manhood, and such man was Judge May. At the rate
the Court going 1t would take As years 10 clear
the Docket with the usual increase OF years tor those
already on it. Mr.. s. admitted that MIR. Stanard was
entitled TO all the praise bestowed upon him. He had
high qualifications. But he was employed IN large
number Of suits in that Court and could not sit half the
terms for five years from this time. Judge May was
employed in many cases but they were nothing in COM
parison 10 Mr.. Stanards So that the Office would in
fact be snecure 10 Mr. S. for several years to come
Mr.. Smith might be charged being acted by narrow
ratons but he thought there something due
locality Of The present judges have been
selected from the North and West; Judge Nj sfrom the
South side Mr. Smith referred 10 decision years
ago, in consequence of want of acquaintance on The
part of these gentlemen in reference 10 the duties OF
administrators de bons non, reversing the practice
which had hitherto governed, in portion Of the State,
and which decision had produced injury and difficulty,
that would have resulted had the judges been FAM
liar with the practice OF that region. Mr.. s. thought
the House would promote the real interests of the State
by the elevation Of Judge May to the Bench Of the Court
of Appeals.
Mr.. ROBERTSON supported the nomination Of Mr Stan
ard remarkng that it migh have been expected OF him,
from his relation immediate representative that he
would hive presented the Of Mr.. s. But this had
been done satisfactorily than he could have done
1t, though felt strongly than himself high
admiration for the abilities and great legal a,ainmens
Of that gentleman. A knowledge of Mr.. SIS merits,
abilities and Distinction not confined TO this State
they were known TO the whole Union 1t was useless,
his part to attempt to illustrate what apparent to
ALL and was scarcely necessary for him 10 add word
fe would only refer to the argument of the gentleman
which would hB ePffe
the Office to the least capable candidate who might be
presented. If that were 10 operate, you would turn
your eyes away from the man whose talents had the
general confidence 10 not high distinction and
business and whose practice but small in the Court
Surely this would not be proper consideration. MIR.
r. accorded 10 Judge NJ entire adequacy TO the station
and he was happy be enabled TO say tina. that gentle
had his entire confidence, but he could not be in
uenced BY the narrow consideration presented by the
gentleman from Isle Of Wight