American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-04-16

were responsible for the delay and in
trinity visible in the proceedings of the
Legislature. And no doubt they dc.
serve q measure Of blame; but 1t is G.
quaily obvious that their shortcomings
are partly attributable to embarrassing
circumstances. At the threshold Of
the session they were confronted by
number Of questions of the greatest
difficulty and magnitude, which they
were expected to solve within u very
limited period. 1t was an impossible
task. The public INDUCED unrcason-
able anticipations, and then quarrclled
about the disappointment of It's extrav-
giant hopes.
The truth is that biennial Lcgisla-
ture is ridiculous abortion in Gov
eminent. The idea was distemper-
ed offspring of that fever of innova-
ton into which the popular mind re-
lapses at particular periods. Expert
mcnt proves it Il mischievous rcgula-
ton. The State Of Virginia is a vast
Commonwealth Of diverse interests, and
1t has just attained critical stage in
the progress Of material Development
and moral amelioration. It's councils
are agitated by the discussion of as
great questions of policy as can engage
the thoughts of statesmen. The aid
OF its treasury is implorcd by a variety
OF stupendous enterprises. Internal
improvements, Bank Reform, Educa-
ton, the Deportation of the Free Ne
gro Population, the Militia system,-
these are some of the problems which
the late Legislature were required to
solve in ninety days. An eager com.
petition for precedence among these
/ interests impcdcd the progress of bust
ness and prevented any practical re-
suit. The fault was rot altogether
nor mainly with members. They we're
dIlIgcnt in attention to their dutics.-
They were endowed beyond the aver
age of Legislative ability. 1t was the
obstructive operation of biennial
Legislature and n limited session which
intercepted the results anticipated by
the public. An impossibility was cx-
acted of the General Assembly. No
wonder 1T was rot equal to the demand.
But the recent session Of the Lcpis-
iature was not barren of important re.
suits. The Militia Bill, the Bank Bills
the Internal Improvement Bills, be.
sides number Of inferior measures.
are sufficient to redeem the recent Leg
! islature from unmeasurcd, and indis-
crimInatc reproach. The Federal Con-
gross has been in session as long as the
General Assembly of Virginia, and
halt dozen unimportan acts are the on
! ~ fruits Of it's labor.
If We appear little urgent in vim
dlcatlng the character of the recent
Legislature, our zeal must be ascrb-
ed to a desire to make atoncmcnt for
the undue severity of our own criticism
on its conduct. But nc plead no con-
slderation in its defence of which any
intelligent man will deny the justice.
RsS~ What " important results" can
be expected from the "Naitia Blu"
unless the muncl,ing of cords of GIN
gerbread, and the guzzling of bad whis-
key by Wholesale, are put under that
category, we are at loss to determine.
ff3- The usual closing address was
delivered, in Senate, by LIT. Governor
jackson, and in the House of Delegates
by Speaker Crutchfcld. St. George
Tucker, Esq, the Clerk, was then cal
led for, and briefly responded.
"lle said this was the first occasion
IN his life that he had had an opportu-
nifty Of addressing the House of Delo-
gates, except in the formal manner of
reading bills, etc. He was happy, on
tins occasion, to express to the mem
bers his most cordial & sincere thanks
for their uniform partiality and kind
ness. In conclusion, he hoped that
they would all meet in the General AS.
scmbly of tho First Born, and elect
him recording angel. (Greatapplause.)
"S'. George Tucker, Esq will find
that the "recording angel is already
elected, and his work all done. May
he not have occasion to substitute the
labors of the dlotting angel so happily
introduced by Stcrne in one of his in
imitabIc pieces!
% The Conduc,or,"c Temperance pa
! pei published at Richmond, thus discourses
OH The same subject -
The Virginia Legislature.
This body has determined to adjourn
sine die on Tuesday, the 9th of April.
80 far, they have voted something
over two millions Of dollars to internal
IMPROVEMENTS. Those who know anu