The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-02-08
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

The Eraaiaer has long leader ION Law Max
ing, considered a. one of the Trades" 1t sets out
with the announcement that law making, In view
OF this Commonwealth's experience, must now be
accounted no more than a branch of business
whereby class OF ablebodied men make liveli
hood. 1t makes exceptions to the observations as
to few men, whom to. name would be inyidious.
lnproof of the position, the Examiner has a table
OF figures, taken from the books of the Auditor of
Public Accounts showing the expenses of legisla-
tion in Virginia, commencing with the session OF
1s47 and running through six years, embracing
likewise the Reform Convention of 1867 to be
81 oil 62736 To this is added 10 per cent. for in
cidental expenses, giving grand total of costs
81, ,1l3, 5000. This sum of money, it is argued,
might have accomplished great results if laid out
in more profitable investments in the improve
n,ent of Virginia, well as in patriotic purposes
The amount of manual labor that might have been
performed by two hundred men in the period OF
thousand and ity-six days employed in legislation,
according to our contemporary, is immense. Ca.
mails could have been dug, railroads constructed,
and pile of logs rolled equal to the Pyramid of
Cheops. The Examiner proceeds with calcula-
tions, from which the result is deduced that legis
lation in Virginia has been very expensive, while
the products havebeen very small. helaw.mak-
ing business is enlarging and expanding, which is
regarded as an evii-one from which the Examiner
seeks deliverance.
The Whi9 alludes to an article recently publish
ed in the N. Y. Journal of Commerce, anticipating
an early downfalllof the Aberdeen Cabinet, which
provisions would undoubtedly prove true, it says.
if there were any real abilities and any harmony
of principle and feeling among the opponents OF
the Ministry. ThesWhigslooks forward with grea'
interest to the proceedings of the Parliament now
in session. Strange developments may be expected.
The Enquirer regrets the opposition to the Ne
braska bi which has been foreshadowed by Wing
leaders of the South but dscaims any intention to
mpeach the soundness of the mass of the party
1t asksif the Richmond Whig correctly represents
the Wing party of Virginia would fain hope that
the Petersburg Intelligencer and Norfolk Beacon
more CORRECTLY represent the sentiment of the
Wings of Virginia in extending to the Nebraska
bill cordial and emphatic support Time how
ever, will show whether the course of the Whig
be an individual eccentricity or a just exposition
of the policy of its party. In another article, the
Enquirer notices the leading features OF the re
port of the Board of Public Works, and compli-
ments the Board ON the exercise of vigiant su-
pervision of the interests committed to their charge
and the zeal and energy with which they have per
formed the duties of their Office.
The Mail coanmends the Legislature for its pre-
sent industry. There is yet vast amount OF busl
ness to be done which will hardly be possible to
dispatch efficiently during the Constitutional limit
The limited session was a mistake ON the part OF
those who made the Constitution, and biennial
sessions still greater one. Business is increasing
the interests of the State are expanding, and Le-
gislation cannot be properly done in hurry
There is danger in too much Legislation, but more
in too little. In another article the Mail alludes to
the removal of Mr.. Grice from an office in the Cos
port Navy Yard, which itpronounces case OF pro-
scription for opinions sake but congratulates Mr.
G. that his iugular was not sooner severed, tor SO
bloodt thirsty has the party become that the custom
is being inaugurated of displacing one Democrat
with another Rotation, having cleaned out all the
Wings, is beginning to operate in the ranks OF its
originators.
The Penny Post dra comparison between
the discipline Of the present and former captains OF
the Public Guard. The earlier commanders were
excellent officers but restricted by law that they
never had an opportunity to improve the corps to
such an extent as they wished Permissions were
granted to Capt Dimmock, however, which have
enabled him to produce so great change that i
may, in fact, be called a revolution. The Public
Guard is now one of the most highly disciplined
corps in the United States-composed of worthy
men-is bright ornament to the State-gives sup
port to seventy or eighty citizens, many of whom
have tamilies-and the property the State, to
large amount is protected The Post condemns
the policy which would disband this organizations
when there is not the slightest occasion for it.