Washington sentinel., 1855-03-06
Yoql ann Yerspnal.
Reform md Coditic alton OF the District

/ Reform md Codihcation Of the District
Laws.--Thbill which recently passed Congress
for this purpbe, authorizes the President OF the
United Siaieho appoint, by and with the advice
and consent the Senate, Two persons, learned
in the law, toe evise, simplify, digest, and codiiy
the laws of lhSDistrict of Columbia, and also the
rules and priaiples of practice, OF pleadings, Of
evidence, andeonveyancing; and also TO add
thereto and cody such laws Of the State Of Mary
land as may d or become in force during the
preparation of aid code and applicable TO the cir
cumstances andeondition of the District. The
code shall be cdstructed according TO simple
method, and be Expressed in language concise
and plain, and altar as possible, be made level
to the understanding Of person of ordinary intel
gence and educatpn. II is 10 be prepared under
the superintendent and revision OF the Attorney
General. The Board of Aldermen and Common
Council Of the City oiWashington may together,
elect five competent persons, and the Board OF
Aldermen and Council of Georgetown may
elect two competent persons, and the Levy court
Of Washington may eett one competent person,
which persons together shall compose board'
TO consider, at convenfnt seasons the provi-
siohs ol Inc coue, as may oe PfcPuiou, ""A
the said code, sucl provisions thereof as
may be approved by mSority Of the board, shall
be adopted, and become the law of the District, in
the manner afierward provided, namely: The
President is required TO cause a sufficient num-
Der of copies to be printed and bound, for the
amplest distribution, and then, by proclamation,
appoint time and places for taking the sense OF
the citizens for or against the adoption OF the
code. The result Of the election is TO be reported
to the President and the same, with the code, re-
ported by him to Congress, and when ratified and
approved by that body. he shall, by proclamation
declare il 10 be in force as the law Of the District
Of Columbia; to remain as such until altered or
repealed by the Congress Of the United States
The code is TO be reported 10 Congress on or be-
fore the first Monday in December, 1857.
The above is synopsis of this important bill.
Robert Ould, Of Georgetown, and William D.
Cross, esqs this city, have il is said, been ap
pointed to perform the revision and codifcaton,
with salary al the rate Of three thousand dollars,
each, per annum.
The Closing Hours Of the Late Congress
were, in contrast with its predecessors, during
tAc ldst uitccH years, Icdst,J HiSHSst NC
gree creditabe 10 the members composing the
two branches ofthe National Legislature.
The prayer of the chaplain Of the House, on
Saturday morning, was Forbid that this hall
be profanea by scenes of confusion and violence,
but may each member avoid stimulating and in
,oxicating drinks, and strive 10 preserve good or
der, the dignity of debate, and harmony of feel
ing"
Although this line of conduct, thus suggested,
was NOT strictly followed-owing to the mperiec-
,ion of human nature, perhaps-we think The
members came as near 10 the mark as could be
expected. There was certainly no violence
within the scope of the preachers meaning; no
calling of hard names TO provoke retort and pugi-
listc demonstrations. Whether or not every mem
ber avoided " intoxicating drinks" }" there was no
drunken honorable to proclaim his own shame
/" Confusion" and noise are characteristics Of a
free people, in deliberalive assemblies although
we are NOT prepared TO say they essential to
wholesome legislation
We are, however, strongly inclined 10 the opin-
ion, that the late Congress has done well, on an
average, for the country.
Criminal Court.-The March term commenced
yesterday.
The following named gentlemen compose the
grand jury: William w. Seaton, foreman; VIII
liam Gunton, Leonidas Coyle, Benjamin o. Tay-
loe, Nicholas Callan, Charles w. Pairo, William
F. Bayly, Charles L. Coltman, Robert White,
Samuel Drury, Abner H. Young, Samuel Pum-
phrey G. c. Grammer, Harvey Cruttenden, Will
liam III. Edes, Michael Shanks Joseph ~ Fear
son, Joseph Walsh, B. ]. Semmes, Durbin B.
Johnson, Charles r. Belt, Richard jones' and
George Maitingly.
Petit jurors Willard Drake, Charles F. p.
Cummin, William P. Drury, Elijah Edmonston,
Elkanah w. Denham, William B. Downing, Au-
gustus Davis, Thomas ]. Crane, Joseph Abbott,
Richard Stoopes, William Wise, Thomas A. Tol.
son, Thomas Crown, ii. ON. Whmore, Charles
Munroe, Thomas Scrivener, William I. Upper
man, William Dawson, William Fenner, Paul
Stevens, Abram Butler Jesse Plowman, Richard
B. Owens, James Barnard, Stephen Hennon,
Henry G. Murray, Albert p. Waugh Walter
Stewart, Joseph T. Fenwick, and Jeremiah Sim
mons.
No court business of public importance was
transacted.
General 10. Lane, the delegate from Oregon,
acted a manly part near the close Of the session
Of the late Congress. "The better day the better
deed in this case. On Sunday morning, rising TO