Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-23

'oaaI, Ss.sdoS "a li@s Of aS6gsf would Gasss al the
6a,soses ShioA TIE slabofass militia bill nov pending
soo..muss The need created By the presstfs di the
snsuv will always bring out eOuu'eevaling power.
To give Efficient direction that power in the simplest
form consistent with proper unity OF action, should be
the sole purpose of legislators IN passing militia
law.
Legislation especially in respect to the determination
of prices Is perfect superiority. II Is more; tits mis-
chevous in the extreme aud peculiarly In the att
tude Of suspense in which the maximum bill Is permit
ted to remain. The elaboration of militia bill to the
degree now being developed in both Houses of the Leg
sature il supererogation and win be found hereafter
to reveal the worst evils Of too mach legislation Dill
embracing thirty-four thrty6ve sections must ne
cessary be complicated aad uninelhgble and Ike the
sborye scheme of the last session. We are spprehsn-
svs thatthe bill now pending viii t.ry fail to accom-
D,.h what il aims at We should not be surprised if
All nscessi,y for it viii to exist before its comp-
Gated machinery can be adjusted.
We give the present General Assembly the fullest
credit for patriotism but cannot help thinking that
Il Is sadly defective in legislative capacity Tnere a
in both Houses men who would reflect credit upon any
assembly but the majority lack many essential quain'
o.,;ons of efficient representatives Il is sad COM
usn,.rv upou the era that while ii produces great
Generals it cannot boast Of staesmen 60 ia TO the emer
eepcy The fact frAught with an admonon IN regard
70 the dangers of much leg station, and suggesa the
proprety of trusting TO the patriotism oil the peo
ole and the logical inf Of causes and effects than
70 Legislative remedies We are at best but automsa,
subject 70 and controlled by natural logical influences
which artificial appliances mar, but not defeat Too
much legislation is a curse. Unwse legislation is but
an inevitable consequence Of redundancy oil that COM
modify Just As illogical conclusion is OF redundant and
lLconceived ideas and premises. S'uth carolina wtnn
period of twenty days, perfected scheme OF militia
organization adequate to the great emergency tnas
called her lie isature together, besides transAoung
large amount of other important business. Georgia
acted with little less prompness and efficiency ana Can
be said OF Virginia that sue is more deficient than
thsr of these States in all the attributes o legislative
efficiency aud patriotic zeal the inference from tae
strained elaborate ell rIs of Legislature TO frame
commemorative milaA bill is that peculiar constraint
ana c. srcon are necessary Cause the people OF Var
iua TO DO what patriotism deG4nis-that other States
sld more under stringent Legislation, than Is re-
aGned 10 eAact IRON our people proper Perio nance
o. tn-lr duty N SolS eilSis' LUIS 'ue'0n0S
. view Of the extraordinary eior.s dlspLA, Ell IN per
seltg he pc, dug lira bill, out unjust, When We
e umaLe the relInve s:rvice winch Virginia has rem
q red n This war 1. wJud see it OF Ter Ss4ses &c
{ 70 TO Virginia more credit IN this crisis thln we are
urseses disposed render; aud strange 10 say, our
egi tors are seeking, oy al cd Gus maximum law, u
ut 10 or IN JeAeA tut pairouc sfJr.s OF our p ope
,nre rie thrvuyh tne lH Ience OF hunaUe CON
T. ioAs ard volGnlay action.