The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-02-19


actions as our necessities, present and future,
require.
There can be no difference Of opinion
amongst those who understand the wants of
our people, about the obligations those wants
impose upon the Councils, to give their sane
ton to the bill To the merchants, mechan-
les, and other business men of the city, the
measure commends itself from several con-
siderations. To them, more truly, perhaps,
than to any other classes of people, "time is
money" As the Courts now are, they are COM
PEELED to a woarisome service upon juries to
the very great neglect, and consequent injury,
of their personal affairs.
The adoption of the proposed scheme will
remedy this grievance. They will find their
terms shortened very much that public duty
will not demand so much of their time, AID
that the dispatch Of business in the Court re-
commended by the Legislature, will afford
promp relief to suitors, jurors, and witnesses.
We have heard but one objection made to
the adoption of the bill. There are few, but
very few, who although convinced Of the
great advantages of the scheme, yet think
that the city is too poor to bear the expense
The objection is not well taken. The mea-
sure is most certainly an economical one
The Judge is to receive two thousand dol
lars per annum, the salary allowed to the
Circuit Court This sum would, if proper,
be readily paid by the business men on ac-
couHt Of the advantages to them, resulting
from the speedy workings of the Court. But
when it is understood, that if this plan be re-
Jected, thirty five hundred dollars will be an
| ually levied and collected from the people
} the city, to pay Justices for their services
IN Court, it becomes apparent that the city
will save fifteen hundred dollars every year
by having the Judge. In planning and build
ing house, we should certainly eadeavour
to secure the services of skilled architect
and builder. The same reason would prompt
us to secure as the Judge Of u Court, one who
is trained and skilled lawyer. II the Coun-
ellis reject the bill, then the present system
continues. The pay to be allowed the JUS
tices, will not be large enough to justify the
first class businessmen in becoming mem
bors Of that body as great neglect of their
private business must result from a faithful
discharge Of the duties of the office Candi-
dates without number and qualifications will
be presented to the public, from those who
wish the Office for tie sake Of the pay alone.
Competition for the place will spring up, that
will deter the best men from seeking it, Thus
We should be condemned to have as Justices
persons whose only distinction is their entire
unftness to the position
That the Councils will REJECT the bill, we
cannot believe possible. We regard the egis-
Iative assembly of the city as possessing too
much intelligence and sagacity, as being too
well informed about our necessities to refuse to
approve the bill We believe them to be too
much in earnest to advance the best interests
Of the city, to ignore the force of the many
reasons urging upon them to sanction it, We
cannot suppose there is any considerable num-
b1r of persons in the present Councils who are
,0jtLing to disregard the acishes Of the people il
| reference to this matter