The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-02-19
REVISED CODE OF LAWS

(From the Nashville Daily News)
The revision and codi6cation of the Statu-
tory enactments of the State Of Tennessee
is, without question, the grent work before
the Legislature. In Importance 1t overshad'
ows every other measure which has or will
be brought before the present session of the
General Assembly. If nothing else be done
by which good can accrue to the people of
the State, by this Legislature, they will be
amply repaid for the large expenditure in
money and time, by the passage of the Re-
vised Code.
There are, doubtless, some persons in the
State who do not fully appreciate the ne
cessity Of this measure, and hence we hear of
occasional mutmurings in reference to the
length of the present session of the Legisla-
ture, but the great mass of the people are
aware Of its Importance, ns we firmly believes
from present indications, us well rs from past
Legislation upon the subject. The condition
of the statutory provisions of the State in
their present shape, is confusion worse con-
founded" The trouble, vexstion, delay, end
less litigation, and unnecessary expense
which attends the legal practice in Tennessee
tile legitimate result Of conflicting statutes,
the misinterpretation Of others of vague and
indefinite meaning, and an absence of n
knowledge Of the existence of many more
has long since convinced her citizens that the
statutes to which they look for the protection
of their rights, should be revised, condensed,
modified, and codiied. Looking to this great
object, six years ago they took the initiative
to bring it about by appointing, through their
representatives in the General Assembly, two
gentlemen, learned in the law, as Commits
sioners to perform so much Of the work as
came within the scope of their instructions.
The work was one of great magnitude, and
ii was not until the present session of the
Legislature that the Commissioners were able
to present the entire result of their labors for
the consideration of the peoples agents.
The Legislature raised Select Committee,
composed of members of the two Houses
gentlemen eminently qualified for the posi-
7-ton-to whom the Code was referred. To
that Committee is confded the labor, the
drudgery, if we may so speak, of considering
investigating, discussing, and passing upon
this measure preparatory TO submitting it fol
the action Of the Legislature. To do this
requires the most patient investigation anG
scrutiny, the most untiring and aborious ap
plication, and the exercise of the ceares
judgment in matters of law. We desire tt
say as simple act of justice to that Commit
tee, that the Legislature and the State ar'
peculiarly fortunate in their selection. Mos
of them are men of large experience and emi
nent requirements in matters of legal juris
prudence. They are indefatigable in the dis
charge of the onerous, yet highly mportan
duty assigned them. Every proposition in
volving doubt or requiring modification re
ceives the fullest investigation. So complet
is their work that as each title of the Cod
leaves their hands, SO, in most instances,
passes the two Houses Of the General AS
!, sembly. When completed, tbe State of Ten
nessee will possess code of laws which vii
we opine, in all particulars compare favorab
with that of any State in the Union-"a con
summation most devoutly wished for" Tn
Committee, to expedite its completion, hav
given up all other business, and are applying
themselves exclusively to its consideration
1t will yet require some thirty five days t.
complete the work. In the meantime th
Legislature will have to address themselve
with renewed diligence to the other busines
of the session now before them, SO as to dis
pose of it within that period.