Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-24
Virginia Legislature.
II o u S T. OF DELEG ATES
Friday, February IS.
BENEFTT OF THIS POOR

The bill 90 authorize the taking of forthcoming
| bonds by constables in civil cases came I'D in lis
| order.
AS soon as the Clerk had read The title, Mr..
Moore, OF Cabell, rose and proceeded to address
the House, saying that he felt deep interest in
The fate of this bill, and he could not forbear ex-
| pressing his views ia its behalf, though he felt
considerable dilidcnce and embarrassment in thus
| addressing the assembled wisdom and talent OF
| the State of Virginia 10 one Of her Legislative
| Halls.
The Speaker interrupted the gentlemen, and
ordered the bill to be read by the clerk, which be-
ing done,
Mr.. Moore resumed. This bill might he said,
be regarded as of not much Importance by many
OF the members, who lie feared might be inclined
to look unfayorabIy upon it. He, however, knew
its value, and they would know its value too, if,
like hi'n, they had mixed much with the poor
men of The country, who were oppressed and borne
down 10 the ground by the executions and attach
ments taken out against them, and ali the little
property they had to support themselves and their
families. 1t is an old saying, and true one, "a
fool for luck, and poor man FOR children"
Laughter, loud aud Tonga number Of members
who had not heard the remark, ceasing their pri.
vate conversation and asking ''whai did he saw"
whats that!" &C., then pauSc-silence1
Mr.. M. said he knew the burdens, which the poor
man had to suffer and how hard it was f. r him to
support and bring up his children. He cannot
get rid Of debt, and falls into the hands of the corr
stable-thal man who is like the roaring lion seek
ing whom he may dcvcur. Laughter Tie
lawyer is employed against him and does not at
tend TO the business much, but puts the process In
the constable's hands. The constable goes ont
after the man. He takes the poor mans COW
the last COW that gives milk for his children
(you must know they don't drink coffee in that
country, but they raise the little ones en- milky
Laughter. He takes the cow away and carries
her home with hin. According to law, he cannot
sell her then, but must advertise her I0days. He
charges one shilling day for Keeping the COW,
nothing, and the debtor loses all, and winds UP by
swearing out Of Jail, in order to get to his family
Eager looks in all quarters Sometimes, The
constable takes the poor mans horse-takes him.
too, III the field, from the plough--and very often
in the month of March--when his children are
standing by, weeping, and not knowing where a.
mother horse is TO como from. He takes his horse
that feeds him and clothes his naked children and
sells him away. 1say, Mr.. Speaker, LET THIS
BILL PASS FOR THE BENEFIT or THE PooR MAN.
| ask for all the ayes on this bill--ihe noes |
don'twant. General lauehcr1
After order was restored, the Speaker said.
6cnteinen-as many as agree TO tho passage Of
the bill will say Aye Here hundred members
shouted Aye! at the top of their voces.1 AS
many as are OF the contrary opinion will say No.
No sound was heard. The House was as still
as il i, were the dead time Of the night-a pauss
then general and simultaneous burst Of lauph-
ter.
Mr.. Moore. In behalf Of the poor men of the
country, their children and their widows, return
my thanks to the House for having passed this
Dill. lIfeat laughter and merry faces.1