Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-11
GOVERNOR WISf'S MESSAGE.

[coSglSuED FROM orr LAST rArgE.
executive has fulfilled its duties in appointing and comm,
siouiuy William l.. Jackson, Esquire. P0" t'ag"'r, 10 hold
his Office until the expiration oi thirty day from the com
mrnc-m-ni Of the session of the general assembly
Not only did the Lieutenant Governor resign, but - all
dill lie Attorney General, AMI PROCLAMATION Wa mad 70!
An election to he held on the 18th day Of May. \ u l>3'. on
which day John Randolph Tucker, Esq, was elected But
on examination th- Law Of election for such case Wa found
wholly defective in not providing the most c>,Tn'ial re-
II sites touching returns, certificates and thr mode y! de-
cid.ns any ctsr of contest. The secretary Of the common
wealth va, TO count the votes in the presence Of the Cover
nor. and declaration was to bc made Of the election. Mr.
Tucker having received ~, 81 votes, John VI. Patton $3.50,
u IT, ShackiciorI =. ,.3. scattering 2,dli, Mr. TucHer was
declared. 10 h. elected, hut in no prescribed mode, AMI h'
wa. accordingly commissioned the 18Th OF jane last, ana has
duly entered Oh the duties oi his Office.
IN cl,ctiun also Oh the 18th day OF iliy. -, was held for d
Commissioner Of thu Board Of Public Works for the 3h dis
rrict. Zrdehiah Kidweil received 20, ITO votes, scattering
2.23i, and Mr.. Kiiwcll was declared 10 be elected, and com
mi:sioncd the s;h Of June last. andhas duly entered Oh The
du;i ; Of hi, office.
And the Judge Of the Eth circuit resigned his Office, and =
| special election was held to i'll the vacancy. When the re
! turns were made, they presented questions both oi law aud
nf fact, which were referred by NE 10 the attorney Genera
,Dr his opinion. After full consideration. h" returned the
mrrompauvia: answer aud argument Tor his CONCLUSIONS
which / approved and SAMUEL '. fuiher,on was comI".'
>!pu.G ~ ~ i.r Of the l,i. circuit Oh TIE I'll, day al AuSL''
last. and la, duly entered upon The d':iieS "i l' Once
III have erred in approving t!c opinion Of the only la"
officer allowed, TO cn!irlirm IN" officially on subjects pi this
kind. can plead only an homes, intention To do lay duty
ac.arl!n. to the constitution and tie law, anu the great ,ii'
tcuIty Of deciding what that duty was undcr laws o' election
in such cases, so utterly defective "a, those which now cAist.
T. i, 10 be l.mentcd, however, that the Judicial office itself
should be exposed /" be thus impaired, by gross defects in
I lie statute law respecting the returns and certificates ana
contest, and judges OF esectionH see no necessity 'oF
attempting TO add any thing TO the argument OF The attorney
general. and il l., submitted rs the best Justification involve!
il the questions. ~ u III" matters of fact involved. you
will s,e ,hl, did not look beyond or behind what appear,
%, the 6tce gfHe cert. fcnts', pail, ant return" presented
10 ne hy the sherihs.
Sine, the adjournment; o: the legislature. also. another
eminent .iuigr. John 7. Lom4x. Of The >NI Circuit. resigned,
very muth to the rcsre, o; the whole STATE. A. wrll a. o fthr
-nior- IN the Court over wtirl. h. presided Eis'arr Con
way. Esq. was elected to snccc.dh.in And ina ve'y hrieiI"e
rlo. the bench Wa deprived Ot his services, by a rapid and
81 alden di-"isc. oi which lie He'd, il!mcHic! hy all Who knew
hiEn Another election Wa held, aud The vacancy Supplied
by another abb" and highly esteemed member OF the bar, X.
recommend an entire reyisaI Of all the election laws. and
especially u those to supply vacancies. And submit 10
TIE general assembly whether -oIur Court; or Judges ought
not 10 bc designated b. law a. 4 tribunal 10 decide At once
and finally upon constitutional and legal questions brouGh.
before it by relation Of the attorney general. for and at The
Instance ith: Commonwealth. Al present the governo.
can only ak Tor an opinion Of a law officer for adsis'nern'
which, when given. has no sanction whatever,
TIE Court oF APPEALS.
In connection with matters Of judicial decision, ! call your
attention 20 the causes Of delay Of cases in the Court Of
Appeals. The permanent AMI special Court. Of Appeals
both have my highest respect, AMI protest that mean no
iiscourie,y 10 = coordinate department, Of the State Coy
cr,in.nt, when I say tina, ! feel il 10 lie my imperative !Gty
% recommend 10 the General Assembly ON 'li' as well a.
other subjects such measures II, deem "Npsi!cI- The
complain, Of the delay In our Courts Is SO strong that | am
urged to say that not only c~xrcditncy but Justice reqHir'
that some lnw should be- passed TO expedite proceedings am!
decisions Ia the Courts Of last resort. Th. docket oi the
Court Of Appeals will show the just grounds OF this CON
paint. Tie benches are composed 81 learned, able, sound,
clear and pure minded Judges. They wish 10 do their duty
considerably. and ausi be allowed time FOR full tc!i|crh.
ton. That j. a right u which the Legislature cannot de
privr IN Judiciary. lui ;hc JuiR'S themselves. | venture
10 siy Ia their hrl.l.t. dc>.r, 10 proc-r.i-tp proceed d"iLr.
ratrly-but 10 proceed at aH. far faster Than that delay "i
Justice which NOW amounts 10 a denial 81 justice. u j. the
most essential, truly, that caus" Shall be- decided right bu;
it Is better that some -hou!d be- decided wrong than not De-
decided i; all, Tie chic. causr Of delay " the ha'! ''hit .;
the bar in arguing clti,es II the ligb".; Courts orally, will
ont limit Of ~>uiJcci or time. and without being compelled T.
tile u written or printed brief of the argument a reasonable
time before the day of the bearing. |, therefore. recon-.
mend the passage of a law To- limit counsel III The Court Q!
Appeal, to the argument. orally, 'fsuch ctscs or q Q stigns as
the Court will vote 10 ALTO" or ANY member Thereof VIII re-
quest argument upon. and 10 liiit al! oral arguments T."
-Irh Tim. a. the Court will permit. not exceeding two hoar.,
except in extraordinary and novel casc-, and TO rcquir"
either written or printed briefs to be- filed a reasonable time
~ the Court may rule, before n hearing MAKE thrs"r re.
Communications, for the relief Of hundreds Of clients, al u
them suffering. and many .: them ruined, by the delay o.
jastic Ia u Commonwealth o! laws which require At TO be
speedy.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
During the last year an election for President and Vice
President Of the Uditcd States was held. which por'cnded re-
suits fihe deepest interest TO our people. They were saved
from appreII0dei evils, which will not rccapltu!at-, ~
order TO avoid irritating the temper OF the times. But ~
one InOIncn. u dark cloud slIrouded the heavens of our hap
ny country, and seemed ready TO burst over ana DESTROY
our many rich and glorious blessings. Then IL wa' that
felt called Oh TO address 20 certain of the STATE Executive a
letter 81 which the accompanying: Is "A copy. L. OBJECTS
we're to defend the rights aud libcr'i-, a: the stat" Of Viz.
.iu.a. to protect her people. and to -iv. the Union. Hap
Ily The election itself accomplished these objects. nE'! there
was nothing more for me- TO do hut 20 rejoice with every
patriy, in the result. Tie omcns for he 'u,nr" are far bet.
ter than they have been; and III. w"Tuirc- % the past are
potent to lispcl the clouds which were lately so dark aud
threatening. Our federal relations are no~ In safe hands,
and with abiding confidence leave them there, 20 be
watched AMI guarded by u Jealous vigilance. hut not 10 he
disturbed by mere faction. or {" BE- destroyed Is the selfish,
sinister Or sectional spiri, Of Differentiation recommend
that we All. in I'LL The departments, unit" rs a band II bro-
Tiers, 10 attend. undivided and nn-pen'. for this ou. e
.inn at least, To the business relations o! our owE blessed
Commonwealth.
When called on FOR my views respecting a rumorci set
,!rr!enc nf Immigrants. threatening our institutions, al.
dressed 20 The Hon. \. q. jenkins the accompanying! letter
in answer 10 Il call from him, to lie used before i public
meeting.
tender TO you. gentlemen, MY best wishes for your mar
moniuus and successful action. and every disposition on my
part 70 cooperate with von in labOrs 10 s"rvethe State, and
promote the prosperity Of her people.
With the h!ghes, respect.
Your obedicnt servant,
HENRY \. WIS.,.
Richmond, Va, Dec. :. Isl.