Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-14

Great exen, excusabIe for the inefciency which the
committees displayed
win the next General Assembly Ell I'd much better
maierials We must say that we have serious appre'
h,usions. An nasu,ly large number of the members
are without any experiences in Ire business Of legisla
TO-, this being their FIRST entry into public life. This
fact Is peculiarly nauspciOus at time ike tniS "nen
the largest experience is needed to meet the emergency
Il at calls them together. The people OF late years
seem to manifest little or interest in the selection Of
members Of the Legislature. The practice o. choosing
for this position men lacking ordinary capacity has
caused seat in that body to be no longer esteemed
worthy the ambition Of men Of merit. Indeed, cur
legislative Asemblies are fast degeneratrg from the
high stsndard Of ability and usefulness which they held
years ago The fact Is not cred table to the public zeal
and watchfulness Of people. This indifference is
no. result of the CT things existing has
long pervaded our people, evidenced by the
character Of the elements which chiefly made up our
legislative bodies Tor years past
But It Is fortunate that the body viii contain at least
one man who is equal to the task of perfecting an eff
Gent scheme of militia organization. The Senator from
this district in point Of legislative ability and itaes-
manike judgment and foresight has f. fupar rs N
The country His experience in the field nd 10 aha Ex'
ecutivs branch Of the Confederate GOe msn IS head
of the War Department Chords the fullest assurance
t,st he will perfect measure for the reorganization OF
the militia that will come fully up to the requirements
of the emergency.
We would suggest, as the best means TO avoid such
conflicts as embarrassed the efforts Of the late Legsa
ture. in maturing the abortive scheme which they
brought forth, the appointment of joint committee
M tary affairs With Gen. Randolph at its head. Unity
Of acton in the committee would thus be promoted,
and this would be attended almost inevitably with
similar result in both Houses when the report of the
committee came to be acted upon. The practice pur
sued in the late Legislature Of presenting diversity Of
schemes, al essentially different win but lead to confu
sion and loss OF time which the mmnence Of the crisis
does not admit Of. This plan, If adopted will I'M
dou5,edly lead to harmony, efficiency aud promptneSs
of scsion, which is ell imIOr
The same rule might be observed with advantage in
regard to the Finance Committee There is no depart
ment Of Legislation invoking many difficulties and
needing such amount of talents this Safe legis
laton acting in cooperation with Confederate,
complish much ia rescuing currency fom the ruin
Gus depreciation to which it is brought and is still fur
Their tending. Particular attention should be given to
re banks which reem to be running wild career
of liceniOusness regardless Of all legal restraints
an deaf alike to the claims of patriotism and all con-
sidera.ions Of public convenience. The Legislature
should direct Inquiry to the means by which large
an amount of their issues have found their way into
Northern hands, also TO the condition Of the specie
basis It viii require very close scrutiny to unveil the
operations Of these banks within the past year two.
The disposition to be made Of the millions of dollars
worth Of Virginia bonds now 10 Yankee hands should
also form subject Of mature consideration The pro-
priety of con6scating these securities of
Justification should also be considered. The recent
ton of the Yankee authorities in the matter of confs
cations At Washington and elsewhere enjOns the obi
gldOn Of some movement in this rection the part
OF our Legislature, IS a matter of selFdefence.
That body vii have open to it wide field for legs-
lave action. Let hope i. will prove equal to the
task