Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-03
MING, JANUARY 3, 1916. 5Y6C-l

taken al random. ,Snmma paparcra cor,rns
cannot here Be applied 10 me. These are not the
chief, or 1.-THE OF The like faults cIoudins The cri
mInal code Of Virginia, and (it is no excess 10
say casting shade overher good name
Yet many and ugly as these hlots in our PENAL
legislation are, another mischief slirpasses them
in hideonsness, and in danger Tha, mischief
Is The III working, too often the no working of the
machinery intended 10 enforce the laws Masis-
trates, grand Jurors, judges, and executive Off
Gers leave numerous and important duties unn-
hled. Sheriffs and justices see and tolerate un-
lawful assemblies Of slaves Justices wink at
gambling; nay, Gas do some judses,) gamble
themselves Gros shops are licensed, where they
are proved 10 be nuisances, most unwelcome 10
large portions of The neighbors Grand Jurors
leave these and scores of other offences unpresent-
cd; moi, perhaps Through fear, favor or affection "
but through Incidence, and haste 10 get home, in
disregard OF their oath diligently 10 inquire in
TO- all such matters. And when they do present,
the court in some counties discharges The offender
so regularly, upon the rule 10 show cause" or a
motion for a Aolie proscqri, that The grand jnries
there have come 10 think il a mere waste Of paper
10 make presenlment Since have filled nv
present Office, one hundred presen,ments have
probably been made in the county courts, OF which
hardly six have come before 4 petty Jury. The
rest have been dismissed mostly on the defend
ants own oath OF exculpation. As 10 conyicting
all nverSeer OF road, no matter what his official
delinquency-shoOlins ghost were as easy. Ten
To one, the court "eis him Off; but the Jury never
fail 10 aoqut him.
suggest no remedies, now, for these ills-all
OF them You could alleviate and many you could
remove; but the roots ol manv can be reached
only by the PEOPLE themSryes-only br turning
public opinion in certain directions more strong
and
sure for them must b., 10 elect their Sl;le lawgi
yers more with a view 10 ,hcir Virginia duties
and with less regard 10 things al Washington
So long as The constituent body make the CUES
| ticn OF Wing or Democrat, nine-ienhs, instead
OF one toTtieth part of their test OF fitness for a
scat in the Stale Legislature, so long will their
code, both criminal and civil, remain confused
! patchy, inconsistent and obscure. do not mean
10 disparage you, gentlemen, but The system.
AT present, lei me only remind you Of the
claims my first three topics have 10 your imme-
date action. In the names OF those many wit
nesses and officers, whom you will save from wan
ton harrassment by doing away EIamin,as
Coaris-in The names of the Jurors anil witness SEES
whom you will save from almost equal yexalion
| by directing every rcHlJc 10 DC taken emolc from
! the scene OF The crine-and in the name Of pub
:, lie Justice, whom Won will best serve BY those
measures, and By narrowing To two or three Tie
prisoners percmplory challenges, call upon you
not 10 let this session pass away without such
eaactmenls. Do not wait Tor a general rerisal
but cnac, these as principles 10 be embodied in il,
They will serve Is teelers towards the reviSal as
lenalivc efforts 10 prove your own hand and 10
ascertain the peoples pleasure. My life upon ii,
both you and they will be pleased with your
work on trial. 1t will save labor, complication
and expense. It will promote justice. Il will Tell
Instantly - the relief Of dozens, perhaps hun
dredS, whom The prcsen, laws every month az
srcyc and opr!ess
Your cllow-cilizen,
a commemorative ATTORNEY.
December -, lSil.