Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-04-14
THE ATTORNEY GESERALsHIp.

In the selection of candidate for thi. ir,portant
position. tits Impossible 10 exercise too great eau.
ton. We have no hesitation in saying tha, for
proper and faithful discharge of Its duties, higher
qualities Of mind and more laborous perseverance
in their performance. will be demanded, than any
other State office requires.
The Constitution has made the Attorney General
the adviser of the Executive, upon oil questions Of
law connected with official duties and he il required
to furn;sh an opinion in writing whenever desired by
the Executive upon such questions. The proper dis.
charge Of this duty alone involves no little amouu,
of labor and calls for the largest and widest legal
experience and legal learning.
Besides, the Attorney General is the adviser of
the First and Second Auditors, and Of the public
boards and officers at the seat OF government is the
counsel for the State in all cases 10 which she i. In
teresed, in the Court of Appeals both in Richmond
and Lewlsburg and has committed to his charge all
OWL causes in the Circui. Court of Richmond in
wbichthe Commonwealth Is interested.
In nc more active ard public du:ca Of the bar
in what called the sI prius courts the Attorney
General has but little to do. Hls suits are mainly
Chsncery suits, and suits In the Court Of Appeals-
He is but infrequeutly called upon to take any
proceedings before other tribunals and it will often
happen that n the of entire term of service
there will bs occasion for ordinary forensic debate
before aury. Before the appellate courts ts appears
more frequently.
II is apparent, from what has been said, that to fit
one for the Office of the Attorney Generalship, be
needs no power rhetorican or the capacity for
a,orical display. Whist he does want il OF far more
infrequent occurrence. He must be man Of sound
judgment, profound learning, enlarged experience
snd too, united with them all, aud as important as
any other qualification, he must excel In habits Of
patient and laborious investigation In short, the
qualities be needs are such as be6t judge rather
than an advocate, the ripe lawyer rather than the
smart or popular speaker.
In the particulars just pointed out the most it-
ting qualities for the ofics Of the Attorney General
the recent incumbent was pre-emlnent. He may
proudly point TO official career quiet though it
was and unobs rived by the public-which any true
lawyer might envy.
Another quality in Mr.. Bocock's career as Attorney
General 10 worthy Of especial notice in this connec
ton. He devoted himself exclusively to the duties
Of bis Office. 1t may not be possible to secure sno.
ther who will initiate him In this particular yet
1t would be wise policy TO secure such an officer il
it could be done. Tbs Office, with Mr.. Bocock
formed the burden Of his duties; and be brought 10
lie discharge, for that reason, the ullness freshness
and vigor Of mind not harra.sed or worn down by
other lsbors. If Mr.. Bococks successor shall mi
tate him here-a, least in part-he will fll his place
with, perhaps better succees than he would do if be
adopts q different policy.
II is almost needless to cay that the Attorney Ger
eral ough, to be man to inspire confidence in every
section of the S,aei that he shodld be sound Con-
s,i,utious awyer that he should know no variable
ne.s or .hadow Of turning, In the strict construction
school of politics. that, in other words he should Ee
Democrat. For we take it, that in the present at
tude of afairs between the Sisle and Federal Gov
ernment it would be unw;se 10 select ally mau to the
post OF constitutional adviser 10 the Executive who
would not with might and main with heart and
soul fight for tbs good Old doctrines Of the States
Rights Democratic pGriy.
We havc thrown out these suggestions with the
sincere desire that the best msy be selected for
tho pos-irom whatever region OF the State he may
hsi-and that after he 10 seiected, be shall have
hearty and complete endorsement by the people in
every section OF the State