Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-31
LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES,
Friday, Jan. ~.
ID lonsnd.

The following Resolutions were adopteu
By MIR. GIBsoS, that the Committee on Schools and
Colleges enquire into the eXpedency Of passing on act
TO incorporate the Jonesvle Lyceum, in The county OF
Lee.
By Mr.. HAScocK, instructing the Committee on
Roads and Internal Navigation enquire INTO the ex
pedency ofextending and amending the charter Of The
"Clover Hill Railroad Company"
By Mr.. WILLIAMS, instructing the Committee OF
Courts of Justice TO enquire into the cxpedlency OF so
amending the laws for the collection of the county and
poor to assnate them TO the laws now in force
for the collection of the revenue ulso TO require the
Sherifs and other officers to return their list of deln
guens annually at the first quarterly term OF their re-
spective county or corporation Cours-requirng also
the Clerks of said Court to copy sad lists, and place
them in the hands of said officers in the succeeding year
for collection.
Petitions were presented and referred viz by Mr..
CAnELL of C. billiard praying that $40 80 be paid him
for education Of poor children-By Mr.. MARTIN, OF
Theron Fl. Blackwell, for law to enable him TO convey,
as guardian Of the heirs of Jesse Tomnson, certain
ferry rights:-By MIR. SMIrn Of H., of VIM Z. Lyons,
asking compensation for assessing that part of the
county of Marion which taken from the county Of
Harrison.
The order Of the day read, being the bill 10 in
the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace 10 $50
Mr.. miller OF Loudoun defended the bill Under
The presen, system, in collecting debt Of S2l the
amount TO eighty per cent On debt OF 500, The
costs amount 10 % per cent The system proposed BY
this bill, will nearly all their costs We ought to
remove the oppression under which the poor debtors
labor under The present sysiem-and this bill provides
the true remedy.
air POWELL Of Fairfax offered on amendment TO
the bull
Mr. CowA> hoped that amendment would pass.
He thought thatf once beg 10 amend, we endan.
ger the fate OF the BILL which he had Mt heart as ADM
raby calculated benefit the people of this Common
wealth
Mr. SMITH of Harrison maintained, that this bill
would not bring relief to poor debtors. Under the
present system, the debtor has respite OF twelve
months which, if this bill is passed, he will be called
on to pay in ten days Mr. S. argued, that the costs
before Justice, appeals, &c., would amount to more
than they do now before the Court II is giving too
much power to the Magistrates Moreover, It will
certainly increase litigation.
Mr. SMITH of Harrison, moved its indefinite postpone.
ment.
Mr. CowAx was not surprised 10 meet this opposition.
THIS is the "peoples bill and not the 'lawyers bill
lie cited the State Of Tennessee, whose justices gave
judgments on bonds Of $50, and there no great
litigation there. The people Of Tennessee are perfectly
satisfied with the workings Of this law. Mr.. e. main
tanned, that this bill would take away all the unneces
sary paid 10 lawyers, sheris, &c. Pass this BILL
and almost as much will be saved Of Of the
poor nun s pocket, will equal the Of the
State. This bill will relieve the people than any
Stay Law. The poor debtors will have much time
rs they have now
Mr.. WILLIAMS proceeded to show that the bill
materially defective in ITS provisons-and the patron
of the bill (Mr Cowau) opposed to all endme IS,
there be difficulty in voting at once. Among
other defects, the judgments do not bind real estate
again there record provided Mr.. w maintained
that the costs much less than stated by The gen
tleman from Loudoun. If you wish TO make any
change in this matter reduce the fees. There is no
extension of time for poor debtor, for whom this bill
is proposed, unless he gives forthcoming bond, which
is 10 be taken by justice, who is not responsible like
sheriff. for the taking of good bonds The bond 10 be
given by the constable is too small in the BILL The
bill will increase litigation.
Mr. MooRs Of c. & w. knew that he would have to
contend with all the talent and wisdom of the House,
and that plenty of holes would be picked in it. All
he could say was, that If these wise men knew every
thing, he knew something. These learned gentlemen n,
who have been pnched in come way, have picked
| flaws in this bill, which may be roughly drawn up,
though the intentions of US "Clodhoppers were very
good in drawing up He went for this BILL because
other States have adopted similar system, which is
found TO work we'll. As it is, the poor sheep
stand poor chance with these lions und wolves law
yers clerks and sherifs Under this bill, man can
60 before Magistrate and confess judgment and avoid
heavy costs. This bill is better than stay la W, and
is perfectly constitutional No man here who wishes 70
deal out justice 10 his neighbors, find fault with
! this bill.
Mr.. BANGS neither Lawyer nor Doctor, but Q
Justice of the Peace He should vote for the inde6.
mite posIponement of the bill, as il is an innovation
upon the established system of things and changes the
relation Of debtor and creditor /, moreover gives an
undue Importance 10 the Office ofconsssble His coaa
ty decidedly opposed 10 this bill.
Mr.. TArEu replied To the objections Offered 10 The
bill. 10 questions of COSTS increase Of litigation and
want Of efficiency in giving relief. lie argued that
this measure would give great relief,
Mr.. BRawNER appealed TO the magnanimity Of the
House to vote down The indefinite poslponement.
Mr.. KrDwELL was satisfied that costs would he
saved by the passage of this BILL and that it would not
give the proposed relief Pass this BILL and lawyers
will practice before the ma gisrates, and thus the costs
be materially increased.
Mr. GooDsoS appealed 10 bis friend from Powhatan,
who was peoples man, to come to the aid of the
people
Mr. BASEL thought that this great power should
not be given ,ojusces, who not sufficiently versed
| in the law.
Mr. CooTrs said, that the opponents of the bill ex
hibed only the gloomy side of the picture in present
ing cases that may happen, but have been careful to
keep out of view The ninety nine on, of hundred
that would be obnoxious the objections raised by the
opponents of the bill by its beneficial effects. The bill
under consideration is for the relief Of oppres