Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-01-13

present them, and those ludeoteu are edihosey ie
quested 10 come forward and discharge their respee
tive obligations.
H. CARRINGTON, Execulor.of
William C.. Darlington
January 4s1S52
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
Both branches of the General Assembly met
yesterday at II o'clock in the Capitol.
The HOUSE, OF DELEGATES was called to order
by MIR. TONNES, who thcreupon nominated Col.
Geo. w. Munford as Clerk. Col. b. received
the unanimous vote of the House, and upon being
apprised OF his election by committee, appeared
in the Hall and entered upon the discharge o.
his duties.
1. having been suggested that the next busl'
ness in order would be the election of Speaker
Mr.. MARTz rose and nominated OSCAR NJ
CRUTcHFIELD, Esq. for that office. He passed
high eulogy upon the character and quallilea
tons of Mr. CruehfieId, and trusted it might bs
the pleasure of the House to call him to the re-
sponsible post of Speaker by an undivided voice
No other gentleman having been placed in nomi'
nation, the roll was then called, with the fol low
ing result:
For @. Nj. Crutchield 1873
For F. NJ. Miller
So OSCAR NJ. CRurcHFrELp, Esq was declared
to be duly elected Speaker of the House.
Messrs. MARTz and CRAIG having conducted
Mr. CRuTeHFGELD to the chair, that gentleman
rose and briefly returned thanks for the honor
conferred upon him.
The House then perfected its organization by
rejoicing all the old officers, viz: Col. VIM. A.
Street Sergeant-at arms; Capt. VIM. F. Bradley
first and Mr.. John Rady, second Door~Keeper
The two officers first named encountered no on.
position; for the Office of second door,seeper
however, Mr.. TALIAFERRo placed the name Of
Wa F. Leween in nomination. The roll being
called the vote stood-For Rady 1876 for Lew
ellen Is.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The Speaker then laid before the House
Message from the Governor, the reading of whict
was, on notion dispensed with. The Message
is as follows:
To The General Assembly Of Virginia:
GENTLEMEN-The circumstances under which you
have convene and organized oil ordinary char
aeter. Since the adjournment of the late general as
sembly, many, and it is confidently hoped beneficial
reforms have taken place in the organic law of the
a,
convention which assembled in the capi,o on the
14h day OF October, $780, in pursuance of laws en-
acted by your predecessors, to consider discuss and
propose new constitution, or alterations aad amend
menls TO the existing constitution OF the common
wealth. terminated its labors the first day OF August
last; and the instrument which the work OF It's
hands was on the four'' Thursday of last October
adopted by the citizen sVtragaus of the State as the
Constitution OF Virginia, oy majority amounting al
most to unaninity. What sublime spectacle is
here exhibited. How slriklngy does it illustrate the
baau nd ot
lean government! With what unbounded confidence
itshould inspire the friends of such government and
with what awe and reverence it can but impress its
enemies. Our beloved oomaonw eath has Just passed
through revolution, lnstaneous and radical in its
character operating upon and affecting every
class and condition of society," and yet all peaceful
and quiet wthi. her borders 1t was not the achieve
ment OF the sword, Its pathway is not traced BY the
blood OF the ci'izen no desolated kingdom witnessed
its triumph, and no emblem of glory adorns the mill
tary chie'tan In the hrst days oil republic was
ordained part OF the basis and foundation of 90
vernment, that when it should be found inadequate or
contrary to the purposes for which it created "a
majority OF the community hath an ndubitabIe una
lienable and ndefeasb.e right TO reform, alter or
abolish it, 10 such manner shall be judged most con-
duciye to the public veal" And in accordance with
this wholesome and wise provision OF Tree government
incorporated in the organic law of our State nv the
patriot statesmen by whom it was founded and recog
nized and acknowledged by their descendants, the
civilians OF our own times looked to tie councils of
the Stale instead Of The tented field Tor the redress of
grievances under which they lived. The people
wied change OF government, and ii was made; and
now 1t remains tor you, the representatives of their
choice, in your legislative capacity to perfect and
carry into practical operation this new system liz
merits were deliberately and ably discussed in the
convention which framed it; and more recently its Sc
yeral PROVISIONS have been thoroughly eanyassed and
considered BY every section, county and nelshbohood
OF the commonwealth. It is unnecessary therefore
that any euogy should be passed upon such of ts ea.
lures may be considered conducive OF good or that
the evil tendencies WHISTLER real or i'm aginary OF other
provisions should be made at this lime the subject Of
comment. II may not. however be improper to ex-
prese the opni that the friends OF reform and of a
truly representative republican form OF government
will never have cause to regret the change The
unsnrnity with which it has been sanctioned by the
people OF Iha State well calculated 10 inspire ia
frienda with abiding confidence in its merits and
gives that your part individual peludices
should they exist. viii be iorgoiten and thai each will
vie with the other in the advocacy and adoption OF
such laws as may be required 10 give it efficiency in
It's operation.
The distinguished ability with which the executive
department OF the government has been conducted by
the Statesmen Of own aud lormer times, and the
proud position and mefiied lame oil our judiciary,
hlbI IN a iOTcihie light the wisdom and fidelity with
which the duty Of electing these officers has been
discharged BY your predecessors Tor period of nearly
three quarters Of century. The new constitution
Ieses you OF lhis important aud wegbty responsibility,
and ira nsers to the surssans OF the State the right
eject the executive and judicial, we'll the iegis.
Iatiye officers. This Few feature 10 our organic law
excited apprefensIons OF some its practical ope-
ration. But witt the experience before Us Of some OF
Cur sister States that have adopted this principle, and
remembering the moral and intellectual character OF
fellow citizens, sHd the high sense of honor which
has characterized the Virginia people il il conf
IDENTIFY believed that with the experiences OF a lew
years, the tears OF .he most timld Ieiormer will be
dspeed the prsludcas OF those most welded 10 an