Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-03

espectlye counties. am sure 1t would not Do an
extravagant estimate to assume that there are, up
on an average. at least tor parties to each suit
law and equity. If this be correct, then multi
plying the number of suits iii our seven counties
by four, we have eight thousand one hundred and
twenty suitors in these counties; and by the same
calculation, they have three thousand six hundred
and forty suitors in their five counties. Whose
convenience should have most reference to
Whose wishes should we most regard-the 5l20
or the 3640! Shall adopt Pittsylvania c. H.
and carry $500 persons, travelling five hundred and
thirty mine miles, will require the 3640 per-
to 60 to Lyuchburg, travelling only 396 miles!
In the face OF this statement can the human mind
doubt as to the relative advantages of these two
places, if we consult the convenience OF the peo-
pie of the suitors of the court ! l leave
out of view the accommodation of lawyers, for
their wishes appear not worthy to be considered
in this matter, and our action is rather directed
against than for them. don't pretend to express
the opinion that all the suitors in the various
cases | have mentioned will attend the District
court. | have no thought that one 1.-THE of them
will attend, but it is fair to infer that many will
attend from our counties from their five
counties, and if so, the relative conveniences and
inconvenience will be preserved
On the subject of the amount of business in the
several counties, my friend from Pttsy made
a statement to the House which must notice. 1t
was calculated to have very decided influence
against us funerptained and my friend pays me but
poor compliment, if he could have dreamed that
would permit it to pass without commentary and
exposure. | was not only surprised at the state
ment, but was dstonished, emanatng it did
from gentleman standing high in the confidence
of his constituents and in the respect of this House
He said, sit would be found that in the county of
Pittsylvania and the adjoining counties, taco-
thirds of the entire law business of the District
was transacted"
otor that Ia boye ma shows
that this statement is correct in point of fact
and if it were, I'll prove that it has no bearing
in his fdror, on the question we are discus
sing. Look to the map and you will see that the
counties adjoining" Pittsyvania Halifax,
Henry, Franklin, Bedford and Campbell, the last
two preferring Lynchburg for the District court.
When the gentleman wishes to add to and strength
en- his argument in regard to the amount of bust
done in the respective competing sections,
he comes and treSpdSses upon our territory and
embraces in his calculation the counties of Bed
ford and Campbell! This mode of argument has
at least the merit of freshness-something deci-
dedly original revert to my table, containing ex-
tracts from the reports of Clerks, and you will see
that in my calculation of the amount of business
done in she competing section, l did not embrace
all the counties ''adjoining" Campbell. Had l
conceived it legitimate to do so, could have inclu
ded the business done in Halifax and Pittsylvania
flor they 'sadjoining' counties to Campbell)
and thus have made my statement much more
imposing. 1t never occurred to my mind that
had the right to make such argument, and my
privileges on this floor equal to the gentemans.
The statement, as made by him, if it had escaped
my attention, was well calculated to mislead the
House, to favour his cause and to injure mine-
But could not forgetit. The fact is that the bu-
siness in the respective sections is have stated
more than two to one in favour-and not
"t,0o-thirds" of it in favour of Pittsyvania, as
might have been inferred from the gentleman's
statement, if unexplained. | dismiss this position
of the gentleman, with the single remark, that in
my humble opinion, it not the fairest mode
of argument that might have been employed.
As to facilities for the accommodation of suit
ors, Court and Bar in the dispatch of business
Under this head l. cannot be necessary to say
much. Lynchburg hasa population of some eight
thousand and it is scarcely worth while to in
form the House that we have, in great abundance,
the means of supplying all the acredture comforts !"
Pittsylvania c. H. has but two tayerns-good ones
am willing to admit but l apprehend not suffi-
clently extensive to accommodate, in the month
of December, five Judges some forty SO lawyers,
the suitors and the visitors that may wish to at
tend the sittpgs of the court, as well as they
could be accommodated at Lynchburg. We have
in the various libraries at Lynchburg at least five
thousand law-books. There are five lawyers re-
siding at or near Pittsylvania C. H.-some of
them gentlemen of high reputation and merit
miration of all who know them, and without
knowing the fact presume their aggregate IL
braries would not be half large as those at
Lynchburg. The importance of an extensive as
sortment OF books at the place for holding courts
Is very great-and surely is element to be look
ed to IN fixing their locations In addition to
the private law libraries at Lynchburg (which
feel authorized to say may be freely resorted by
the court and our brethren of the Bar from abroad)
we shall establish puplic law library for their
use-to be put IN our new court house, ready for
the use of all who may wish to resourt to it.
Again the law requires the records in the Dis
trict courts to be printed. 1t is important that
they should be printed, and a0eu printed. AT
Lynchburg we have five printing Offices at which
the printing could be done "with neatness and
despatch" to use the language of thet printers
At Pittsyvania G. H. there is no pz:nting office,
and the printing of a few records would not justi-
fy the establishment OF one--and therefore the re-
cords if the court be held at Pittsylvania C. H.,
(which hope this House will forbd) will have to
be sent either to Lynchburg, SIS miles off; or to
Danville' 20 miles off. The printing of records is
not the only printing that will be necessary to be
done-and done frequently while the court is in
session. Arguments have often to be printed, and
the despatch of business may require that they
should be printed quickly-and to be compelled
70 SEND on ~ miles to printing Office might pro-
ouce delays that In some cases. would be seri-
ousy 1nconvenient. l hope my friend will not
deem me too confident when l express the opin-
Ion that we have the advantage of him on this
third point-conveniences of accommodation for
suitors, Bench and Bar for the despatch of bust
ness.
claim Mr.. Speaker, that upon these three
leading Notwithstanding, conreniences of
access and facilities for accommodation, we have
the decided superiority over our friends in Pitt
sylvania. Why them shall we not have the
court! Has any good reason been assigned
against it | most respectfully think not.