Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-01

"te toc"UO" " u DfStitct COHH JoF me 2HI JU-
dicial District
Propose, Mr.. Speaker, to discuss the question
now before the House, briefly us can, con-
slstenty with my of duty. The distin-
guished gentleman from Pittsyyania expressed
| regret at being compelled to make the speech to
which we have just listened do not sympa-
thlze with him IN that feeling. He may deplore
| the necessity which impels him to advocate his
cause Il take pleasure in maintaining mine.
expect, MIR. Speaker, that it will appear in the
sequel that these conflicting emotions which he
and respectively experience this occasion,
are entirely natural and arise from influences ca
silly understood; and while claim credit for can
dour IN the declaration of my pleasure and salts
faction, l. in return, readily give full faith for sim
cerity in the expression of his regrets. am sure
Mr.. Speaker. that he entertains these regrets,
and having IN flankness expressed them, could he,
in this instance, sink the advocate and become an
impartial legislator, should not despair of my ca
pacity, with the facts which | shall presently dis
close, to induce even him to vote against the mo-
ton he has made, to strike from the the bill 'sthe
town of Lynchburg'' and insert Pittsylvania Court
House.
Twas surprised tohear the gentleman affirm that
the good people of Pittsylvania conceived that the
decision of this Observation-Disclosures or not the Dis
trct Court should be located at their Court house
-" affected their pride and their honor" | was
struck with the statement, and was curious to be
informed how 1t was that stheir pride and honer'
were to be lowered or exalted by our action on
this bill. should be very unwilling assistant
at any ceremony which had for its object the
depression of these high qualities in the good citi
zens OF Pittsylyana: and my acquaintance with
them justifies me in assuring the House that they
stand in need of no Legislative elevation. The
gentleman has gratified my curiosity, and has de-
cared that his constituents would be thus affected
an their pride and honour" because, if they
failed to have the District Court located at their
Courthouse, they would be :" deprived of their just
rights" Curious was the statement, think
the reason assigned for it, much more remarka-
bic: The people of Pittsylvania deprived of
:" their Just rights by our failing to locate the
District Court in their midst !! Hoao IS this?
profess not to understand it. The gentleman stands
as the representative of PittsyNania, and afirms
thatthe people have the to this District Court.
With as much propriety might he claim that they
have the riehtto elect all the Judges who are
to compose that Court: and not only to elect them
but to bestow their suffrages alone on those men,
bers OF the Bar who reside at their Court
house. had supposed, Mr.. Speaker, that the
object of the Convention, in constituting these
District Courts, was to subserve the convenience
of the people at large: and, in requiring them to
be held in the different divisions of the State, their
purpose was to have them so located as to suit the
people of the several districts more especially
that portion of the people whose business was
to be transacted in those Courts. They could
not have been designed to be distributed as all
the people of the District might desire-as we'll
| those who had not as those who had business in
the courts much less could it have been in the
contemplation of the Convention to have them To-
Gated to crafty g the pr1de'' sooth &C the hon.
our or minister to the imaginary "rights'' of
any county or village. The constitution devolves
on the Legislature, the duty of locating these
courts; and | respectfully suggest that we can
only properly discharge that trust by dsregarding
the fantastic pretensions of small localities and
looking to the entire district: to its geography, its
topography, its population, its facilities and travel
the number Of writs in its various Courts and its
conveniences for the dispatch oflegal business
With these views of our duty and of the conside-
rations proper to guide us in its performance,
stand here, not Delegate from the county of
Campbell or advocate from the town of
Lynchburg, to guard the pride and honour of
the county to protect the rights'' of the town;
but avail myself of my privilege as legislator
for the State, to speak, this sub ec in behalf of
| seven of the twelve counties composing this Dis
| trict-embracing within them majority of ff-
| teen thousand of the aggregate population-more
than double the amount OF legal business found on
the dockets of the courts of the other five counties
| -incomparaby superior facilities and travel,
| greater conveniencies for the despatch of bust
ness-better accommodations for suitors, Judges
and lawyers, and represented by nine of the sew
| enteen Delegates ON this floor.
| If am favoured with the polite attention which
has been extended to my friend from Pittsylvania,
| expect, with confidence unqualified by a sim
gle doubt, prove to the satisfaction of all impair
tial men-to all whose minds open to conyic-
tien-that signal mistake has been committed
| by the gentleman, when he supposes that his con-
stituents will be deprived of their ssrghts," if he
fails to procure for them the favour they are now
seeking. Sir, the idea is really far fetched and
| fanctul, that am almost tempted Though will
not do lest it mi ht SAVIOUR of personal dsrespect
to the gentleman) to styleit ridiculous. place my
opposition to his motion and my defence ofthe re-
port of the committee, not the suppositon that
| the people of Campbell or of Lynchburg alone,
will be deprived of their rights, if Pittsylvania
should be selected the location of the Court but
on the ground that the interests, wishes and con-
venience of large majority of the aggregate pop
ulation of the entire district would thereby be
most strangely disregarded, and considerations
which ought to control our action on this subject
entirely overlooked. will not anticipate such
result I cannot think it within the range of the
remotest probability; for l declare, in perfect
frankness, thatI regard the claims of PittsyHania
Court House in this BEHALF compared with
those of Lynchburg, as subjects more appropriate
for contrast than comparison; and l undertake,
with knowledge OF my own weakness, but with
undoubting confidence in the force of the truths
shall employ to demonstrate it to the satisfaction
OF all who will hear with calmness and decide
without prejudice. But, before / enter upon an
examination of the facts legtimatey belonging to
this question, which propose to introduce in con-
nection with reply to the statements made and
relied upon by the gentleman from Pittsyvania,
wish to add few more words Idesire to state
that do not advocate this location ofthe District
Court boon which ought to be given oLynch-
burg. am nothere as mendicant for legsla-
tive favours nor did l come to purchase them. l
have to expect, however, and do expect, impair
TALLY; l have right to demand and l do demand