Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-21

tenton of the Legislature. Should The Investigation be
pursued, it will only consume tme without ending in
any available practical result and the time will have
passed without an opportunity to prepare Tor the trial
Of these causes The special term assigned to be held
by Judge Leigh, early in March. These are the con
s'derations which influenced Judge Scott in suggesting
the resolution under consideration.
Mr. LEAKE of A. hoped that the leave to speak OF
what had occurred in the committee be mol grant
ed. We have already had loo much of what had C.
CURED in the committee, and might by this course,
establish bad precedent, lie did not think it of any
Importance to know who the mover Of this resolu
ton.
Mr. BYRD off. did not wish to speak of what had
been done before the committee-he did not wish the
leave-unwell as be was, however, he would, if the
leave be given, give all the information in his power
Mr.. TAsgSSER withdrew his motion.
Mr. EDmuEps Of II. did not think the Constitution
meant to extend The meaning of "hgh crimes or mis-
dsneaGors" to misdemeanor, however tr!ng, so
to make it mpeaclabe. If this charge is not of an
inpeachable character, the special committee cannot
asl it, and ought 10 be discharged from thIs branch OF
tile subject The House have never said tha. this charge
was OF an mpeachabe character The committee, at
ter full have reported this charge 10 be not
OF an Improbable character and he thought they ought
TO be discharged from its consideration It's
OF future consideration, whether the House will pro.
coed ni the Senate TO examine this charge, so as 10
decide upon Judge SIS removal from office.
Mr. WooD wished TO know if the committee had com.
commenced it, he was FOR their going through with it,
Mr.. WlsGrIELD responded, that the committee had
not commenced the examination Of this charge.
Mr.. LEAKE, OF Albemarle, was not actuated by
any e.traneous circumstances, but was guided by
considerations OF the permanent policy of this body,
and presidents for the future He would vote against
the resolution, as he not prepared TO say that
fighting on the part Of Judge, not mPeach.
able offence. An impeachment is most powerful en-
gine and the Legislature OF Virginia ourbt 10 be very
He YVES far from believing, that habitual ;urbue It
and quarrelsome spirit, might not be mpeachabe
offence. Ii general principles that he opposed
the discharge ofthe Committee, who had not ven
menced the Investigation of this serious charge
Mr.. BRowS Of Preston, explained the motives Of the
Special Committee in asking TO be discharged. They
were ofopnon that this charge not of an impcaeh
able character and woad have been useless for them
TO take the evidence which could not be used, IL
would not apply Tie committee had therefore, come
before the House 10 get their opinion, as 10 whether
this charge was or was not Improbable. Mr. t. de.
MED that indictment could be framed upon The gene
raj charges of "habtnal turbulence &c, and was
satisfied, upon full examination, that this charge
not impeachab!e He should vote for The resolution,
not because he wished 10 avoid the eIomnation-but
because ne thought that assault and battery not &
misdcmeanor Of so high character comes within the
meaning of the Constitution. If other gentleman
did So he would that the House and Senate pro-
coed by joint vote, to examine this Charge with view
to the removal OF Judge s. from office.
Mr.. CowAs. A committee of the most intelligent
Of this House (Lawyers, &c had been appointed,
and after six weeks vestgatioD they here 10
let us know that th charges are not be examined
n was surprised at the strange pursued by this
able com mtee. This is nost important question:
which he intended 10 scrntnze 10 the very core. lie
did not know Judge Scott, but he mir c. would not
shrink from his duty. MIR. &. instanced the iroa t.
ranny Of Judge in his county, who had imprisoned
and broken up man, merely because he had expressed
his opinion to 4 suit in his Court The Legislature
had at once, upon memorial, refunded the fine.
Mr. GooDsoE said that, although he did not approve
OF the course of the Judge Judge Johnson) in his
county, he would state that this had sent 10 the
Judge the bench most insulting letter.
Mr.. CowAs replied that the Judges tyranncal con
duct was universally condemned by the whole country
Mr.. SrovALL wished to know if the committee had
not already been discharged from the consideration of
The charges which were not mpenchl5e.
Mr.. WooD called The previous question. which
sustained, and called the ayes and noes
The rcsolu,ion was carried by The following vote:
.7yes--Nlcssrs. Aworth, Randolph, Cooke, Frazier,
Wingield, Mitchell, Newkuk, Snoderass, HUBBARD
mis-, Broadus Irving, Brown of Z. c. & w, Garnctt,
Smith of Fauquer, Rust, Stockton, Payne, Deskins
Tsliaieno French, Edmunds Of Halifax, Blue, White
of H., McRae, King, Gallaher, Parks, Edmonds Of
L and R., Siongs, Carter, Gray, Miller of Lou
doun, Banks Ncolson, Miller of ii. and j.. Wade
Dyche, Cabell, Taylor, Watts VERIFY, Oliver, Edg
ington Davis of Orange and Greene, Keen, Bennett
Talmnn, Brown of Preston, Anderson, Sturm, Stro
Their, Daniel of r. c Moore of Rockbrdge, Tate,
Spark Cruichfeld Warren, Walker, Goodson, Lewis,
Leftwch-G6
loes-A lcssrs. Holleman, (Spenker,) Cnstis, Leoke
of A., Powell of A., Byrd of B., Wilson, Tuseaner,
Stanton, Blick, Samuel, Powell Of f., Muse, wood,
Robins, Carroll, Jones, Stovall, Ward, Miles, Basel,
Smith of H. Bowden, Davis Of K. and O., HAYES,
Gibson, Jackson, Kidwell, Martin, Jiggits, North.
ritz R,rd 0f
Pendleion, Hopkins, Daniel Of P. G., Brawner, Bur.
we'll, White Of r., Deneae, Cootes, Cowan, Kane,
Ga,ewood, Williams, Hedgman, West, Henry ,Nea-5l.
The Committee on Retrenchment presented report
and three bills, which were ordered to be printed.
The following resolutions were agreed to:
By Mr.. RANDOLPH, that the Committee of Finance
enquire into the expedency of amending the act passed
Goth March, 1888, entitled act concerning claims
against the Common wealth, to provide that no
claims against the Commonwealth shall be recoverable
after lapse of ten years. and that no judgment or de.
cree of any Court against the Commonwealth exceed
ing - hundred dollars in amount, shall be paid by
the Auditor without special appropriation by law.
By Mr. Wet, that the Committee Of Courts of jus :
tice enquire into the expedency Of providing more eft
!ectuay for the protection of actual settlers under Ju
nor grants of land lying West Of The Allegheny noun
tsns to them the value OF their prove
ments in certain cases.
By MIR. EpoISorov, nstruc,ing the Committee Of
Courts of Justice to enquire into the expedency OF
extending the prison rules in the several counties Of
this Common wealth, to embrace the limits Of each
county, instead Of the of ten now re-
CURED by law.
By MIR. GARRETT, that the Committee OF Finance
enquire into The expedency of reporting bill, provd.
ing that Commissioners of the Revenue have the fur
Their tae until The Is, July, 1e43, for the completion
and delivery oil the list of taxable property instead Of
the lst June, as ct present provided by law.
BY Mr.. BRAwsER, that the House WILL with the con-
sent oflhe Senate, proceed, Saturday, the 25h in
slan 10 the election of Councillor Of State, in place
of John NJ Gregory, Esq, whoae term of office expires
on the 3lst March.
Petitions presented and referred:-By Mr..
GALLAuER of citizens Of Jefferson county, praying
reduction Of The fees Of officers Of courts and for the
extension of the jurisdiction of justices of the peace
By MIR. EDaoSDs Of l. d r., of citizens Of Richmond
county, relative to the sale of produce by free negroes:
By Mr. POWELL of A., of citizens of Amherst, Camp
bell and Buckingham, praying the passage of law TO
establish Artillery Company oat Of parts of the
above mentioned counties, 10 be called the James Ri.
Artlery) 10 muster at billiards. Store, in Amherst;
BY MIR. DANIEL of r. c., of John S. and Joseph
Gatewood, praying the release Of the Commonwealths
title 10 sum Of money therein me ntioned.
.f a.. 81 ai.,t.oc Laf mint