Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-04-29
PATTON AND IE,TH.s prpOpvs

Rspots Of cases dccidrd IN III, Sprrini Cow,. Of dp-
p0is ~ Virginia, he'd at Ricim0md: and u G;rn,-
RAJ i""eF I" hr"f0n's Reports. tram tie sccoad fo
ne eIrr'"fh r"'"mc nci"@rc. BY latin w. Pa,foD,
Jr'' an" h"Sc"r %. Armh, ot he cAatoaJ Bar.
I%. !, richmond, Ia., Gen. ~ West. lS,6.
In the preface 10 this volume, the reporters have
given history Of the organization Of the court
whose decisions they have reported. Our legal r.ad
ers WI" hariy need to be informed to the rise of
Il court winch was so much demanded by the size Of
the docket OF the old Court of Appeals and the con-
sequent delay OF Justice thus occasionrJ II WAS an
old grievance, and when the Legislature, in 1913.
established Special Court of Appeals to help the
Supreme Court Of part of its burden, its creation
WAS hailed by the profession and by sui,urs ~ G
send! When the consttuonnIity of that Court was
mooted, as it was in Sharpe rs Robertson, C;ra,tan.
SIS, the profession looked with no little interest;
and when it was eventually determined by four ont
of the FIVE judges who ant on the trial. that the Court
was constitutional tribunal, the decision was hailed
with satisfaction by ALL II ia not the decisions of
this Court however, whose reports now lie before u.s.
There arise doub. as to the constitutionay of
the present Special Court Of Appeals. In express
terms the Constitution of lS50'j, provides for its
organization; and on this ground it stands upon All
equal footing with the Suprene Court of Appeals--
1t is also, as the reporters properly say the Court of
last resort in the 10 which lis jurisdiction ey
tends, which comprises most OF the appeals To the
Supreme Court Of Appeals during the term of five
Or six years. These circumstances considered we
do not regret the publication of this volume which
furnishes professional gentlemen with another Grmo.
ry from which to draw in cas-. of mcreSsy aud we
think we do not ERR in saying that ii these REPORTS
shall not be adudyrd to have the binding authority ~
tine decisions OF the other Court Of Appeals, tI.ry
WILL at least, bo regarded as o s:ron. persuasive au
thurity and will command from the bar aud bench
higher respect than decisions imported from ether
Court are we'll known to be learned in their profes.
sion, aud their opinion, woad b" looked 10 with in
terest, even though occupying II" judicial! position.
Upon nm examination Of the reports, find the
reporters have discharged their duty with ability
and accuracy. In almost every instance, they furnish
acarrfu syllabus Of The argument of counsel with the
authorities citel, beside the opinions of the judg-e.-
Their statements-those Of them we have examined
remarkably full, clear and specific, enabling
erc the opinion il pronounced. The interest Of the
csses-ihnugh. of necessity, there some about
which there r no peculiar interest-as well as Their
value, far exceed the ordinary rate Of such works
Turning over n few leaves at random, we meet with
ajoc'S cr'oys .. Gthson, in which the question is dis
cussed whether All attorney may make contract
with his client by which it agreed that th- attorney
shall have ten per cent "I what is recovered; with
JkmiH'S 1im'Or r. 4dduS and ais, in which the court
held that release of OF two JOINT sure'ies 10 II
Guardians bond does not rernse the other from the
entire obligation. il being provided that the release
should not be understood 10 operate discharge to
the co-sureiy of his liability. Besil" these, there are
other cases oi interest and Importance.
The latter half Of the volume consists of the index
To l;raan; and ii were inclined 10 find fault with
anvthn: abou, the book, should do 40 here. There
sceu- 10 bc no c"mgruity bcwnen the reports ut tn"
decisions of the Special Court of Appeals an" p''
pested Index to Mr.. Gratnns report "f the decisions
of another court. But ia" want "i such All 'h"e"
was 80 prrssug-the Il. ...And for it rcai, that W.
are no, surprised iha, tie gentlemen who have pub
lisb.d this work should have sought 10 supply il. \
professional friend informs that h. has hal occasion
TO consult the index and it has already been OF ca
sen,aI service to him. We doubt not this will be the
experience of others.
We cannot furbear laying that the Typography "i
the book is ali that it should be. II ia fine specimen
Of Virginia printing by Virginia publisher and hns
on these accounts, additional claims upon The Virginia
public.