Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-27
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Appointed to .-ReviSe and Digest the Statutes =
8 North Carolina. b =
10 be HonoraIleIth General .gssslablu


To The HonoraJleftAe General assembly
of the Stale of North CaroEro
The undersigned, Two Of the commissioners ..
pointed by the Governor, to revise and digest II.
laws, in pursuance of the Act of the last session ~
the General Assembly, entitled " an Act for revisiNn
and digestng the public Statute Laws of the Stale
beg leave TO report:
In conjunction with r. NJ. Saunders, Esq. b.u
received their appointment in June 1851, and imm.'
diateiy aPportoned among themselves the entire bd
of the chapters of g the Revised Statutes.'
The first step was the preparation of tables n, :;
dexes, by which the Statutes passed since 1896 mii
be digested under their appropriate chapters I
many Of these statutes embraced subjects nron0 as
distributabe among different chapters of the Reri
Statutes, it became necessary, not only carefHI u
dissectsther several parts, but to select The
ting place for their consolidation with the cbant
the Revised Statutes. Oi
This was work of considerable labor, and o.u;
ousy indispensable. both for proper arrangement snd
TO prevent omission of any part of the law "' 'nu
This preparation having been made thew co, .hou.
revising and digesting the Statutes In the nrosoO
ton of this part of the work. they regarded it -"
their Duty not only to consolidate the acts nasaJ
since 1885, with those then revised, but also to re-
wise the language of all the Statutes and exnunoo
much unnecessary verbiage which often CLOGS M
expression, and not unsrequenty obscures the mean
ing of our laws. O1"'
They did not deem that their work would ba a.
ceptabe, by simply collecting and reducing into on
the same subject matter, after the manner of con-
densed compilation; but they thought it best, and
expected, too of them, that they should consolidate
them so as to give to them the character of the univ
OF one enactment, thereby much abbreviatng the law
and eecting, if possible, the directions of The Leg
lslature, to compress the whole into volume
This work OF collation., consolidation and conden.
sation, they believed they could best perform, each
one 6S himself; and they prosecuted it in this manner
till June last, when, having nearly completed each
one, m in IN
the whole to joint revision.
This part OF the work required the united presence
and action of all the commissioners. After this
should have been completed, next to follow the
reference to the statutes revised and the decisions
of the Supreme Court on the statutes. Then was
to be prepared the index, work requiring both time
and care: and then each chapter, revised, was to
be printed for the examination and action of the Leg
isature. There was no provision for this important
part OF the work; but the commissioners had deter.
mined to procure it, if this had been the only obsta.
Gle to the completion of their abors, leaving the
Pensaton entirely 10 the Legislature. In July last,
while engaged in their labors, they assured by
one of the commissioners, who had participated in
the revlsa of 1885, that the printing and revision of
the proof would require about three months. Having
no reason, refection doubt the fact, they were
made sensible at once of the impracticabiliy of
tempting to present the work at this session Of the
Legislature; and r. M. Saunders, Esq, having re.
signed his place in the board, no further progress
has been made in the joint revision since the idea of
completing the work was abandoned.
The plan with which the revision had been COM
menced and was to be prosecuted, required time for
its accomplishment and that time not to be had
unless all the commissioners had convened together
and devoted themselves, without intemission, the
work. They did not suppose that it was expected of
Them, that they should abandon their profession alto.
gether-a course which which would been highly IN.
lust to their numerous clients and attended with great
Individual sacrifice to themselves.
In truth, however, the undersigned did believe
when they accepted the commission, that they could
perform the work in time for the present session of
The General Assembly, and were not convinced to the
contrary till they convened during the past
They deeply regret the delay and public disappont-
nent. but they are assured that due regard the
public interest fully usties that delay They could
have been persuaded offer to the Legislature
work with which they would have been so little sat-
SIZED themselves, that which could have been pre-
pared by them, (even if they had the power TO have
it in the absence of third commissioner
fter the information given to them of the length of
line necessary for the printing.
In conclusion, they suggest, that if the LegSa-
ure shall deem it ADVISABLE to authorize continu-
nce of the commission, some provision be made for
printing the statutes, revised, before presenting
hem for Legislative action.
Although not perhaps, strictly part of their duty,
hey endeavored'to get the materials for ascertaning
he boundaries of the several counties of the Stae
nd for this purpose, they addressed a letter TO the
hartman ofthe County Court,the county solicor,and
erk OF the county court OF every county In the Sae
A copy of the letter is herewith reported.
1t is exceedingly desirable that the boundaries of
ur counties should be accurately ascertained. The
easons are so obvious that they need not be men
Toned here.
They intended, if they had been successful to have
aid the information before the Legislature; but as
et they have received replies from only three four
ounties, apd they have reason to expect further
Information. In doing this, they have incurred
mall printing and postage bill, which will be pre-
ened during the session for payment, if it may
lease the Legislature to allow'it.
Respectfully submitted.
ASA BIGGS, 1c,
B. F. MOORE, CONS.