Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-09
correspondence eftisc virginian.
HOUSE or DELEGArEs.
RICHMOND. Jan. so. 1852.


| have waited for some two or three
days. that something would turn up" as
Mr.. Wilkins Micawbcr would say, in the
House. with which to frame letter. but the
proceedings are still utterly destitute Of
interest or importance. No doubt the
community Is looking to the action of this
Legislature, with deep and heartfelt inter
EST, for upon it they rely for fulimens Of
the many hopes, 10 which the ratification Of
the new Constitution and the promised
reforms have given birth. Unless am
very much mistaken (and trust may
be) the present Legislature is little dis
posed to crafty the people in some Of the
reforms. which they very naturally expect
at its hands. the changes in our funda-
mental code are thoroughly radical-and
certainly not few important reforms are
required to adapt the people 10 the new
order of things. l hope I may be mista-
ken in my impressions; that the Legisla-
turc may fulfil public expectation. and that
under the operation of the new Constitu
ton. new impetus may be given TO Vir-
ginia;" that her strength may be renewed;
that she may "mounton Eagles wings-run
and not be weary-walk and not faint"
Many resolutions have been offered and
adopted by the Notwithstanding the Com
miitee on Courts of Justice, TO inquire
into the expediency of repeating, altering
and amending some Of our old statutes,
that have weighed like millstones upon
the necks Of the people, but as yet the
Committee seems to have taken it into its
head, that our code of laws is abso
lutely perfect and of course needs no
amendment or alteration. A change in
our laws prescribing the mode and manner
of summoning and impanneling juries.
had thought, and the community had
thought, was imperously demanded, both
by the public will ard absolute necessity;
for do not believe there are two lawyers
from the seaboard 10 the mountains. but
admit that our present jury system is the
merest farce that ever disgraccd statute
book. but the "af1resaid' Committee has
deemed it incxpedient to lesislate upon the
subject.
The importance and expediency Of
extending the jurisdiction of Justices of
the Peace, has been deeply felt by the pub.
lie at large; for it is known that small debts
cannot lie collected in our Courts of JUS
tlce. without large outlay Of costs; bu,
the wise gentlemen composing the atore-
said' Committee have also deemed it in
expedient to legislate upon Mat subject.
Many counties in the State desire the
establishment Of system Of free schools.
essentially different from that now provided
by law-as better adapted to the new
order OF things and more consistent with the
geography. wealth and population of the
different counties; but the Committee on
schools and colleges. has reported it mex
pedient to make any change. These sub
jects have evidently been acted on with too
much haste, or the members of the Com
mitttee are determined to cling with great
tenacity to old things, merely because they
are old. and to deny to the people Of Vir-
gina, the reforms Iegitimaely demanded
at the hands OF this Legislature.
On Thursday. MIR. ImboJcn of Augusta
presented TO the House, a series of rcso-
lulions, upon the proper distribution of the
proceeds of the public domain, declaring
that the question should lie submitted to
the people at the next general election,
whether Virginia should receive her share
of the proceeds of the public lands, and if
received, the same should be appropriated
to the subject Of education. The resolu-
tons on his motion were laid uponthe table
and ordered to be printed. l am gratifed
that the long vexed question is to be
taken from the hands of the general As
scnbly and submitted to the people; for
although the democratic representatives
may be hostile to the reception, Of what
so rightly and justly belongs to US, still
they dare not. without an utter contempt
for public opinion. deny the people an
opportunity for an expression of opin-
ion upon that all important question. Du-
ring the reading of the first of the resolu-
tons, there was general litter among the
Locos, throughout the House, but when
the last resolution was read. proposing TO
submit the question TO the people for their
decision, "the tables were turned-thc
laugh was on the other side of the mouth"
In consequence Of the heavy indebted
ness Of Virginia. and the urgent necessity
for the completion of the leading lines of
public improvement throughout the State.
which will largely increase our indebted
ness, I am apprchensivc but little will
be done in furtherance of the great cause
Of popular education. Whcn we reflect
that suffrage in our State has now become
universal; that free Governments and pop
ular sovereignty stand upon lasting
foundation only when based upon an
enlightened constituency, and that there
exists in Virginia an amount Of absolute
ignorance deeply Notifying 10 all who
regard her prosperity and character as a
State; it becomes question of surprising
interest and Of primary importance. as to
what course should be pursued. 1t would
seem that the true and wisest policy would
be for Virginia to receive her share Of the
immense public domain and appropriate it,
or set it apart as permanent fund. for