Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-10
ALEXANDRIA, GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.

legislature. While this is neither necessary
nor practicable in all cases, yet occasions do
arise when five days even are insufficient for
nroper investigation of questions involved in
q single bill, especially when the other official
duties daily incumbent upon the Executive are
taken into consideration Scarcely bill has
been presented to me thus far, however, for
tho consideration of which | could devote a
single day. The usual custom has been 10
present large number Of bills together, Tor
examination OF all of which but five days were
allowed. On the day of your adjournment in
July last, over seventy bills were presented to
me, some of them lengthy, OF the highest I'M
porta and Involving tie gravest questions
of policy and constitutional law. The entire
legislation Of your October session was laid
before me during the last ten days, and the
majority of it during the last five days PRIOR TO
the day fixed for your Adjournment sine dlc,aud
considerable oft on that day. Without con
sideriog for moment the Immense labor which
tee mere reading of these bills GcVolCcd upon
me, how was it possible Tor HE TO give to each
Lil that careful consideration which The obi
cation Of INV official oath and my duty to the
neople and the State demanded? This mode
of transferring this business must not longer
prc-ai There is no necessity Tor il, and 1t is
alike unjust to the people, the Legislature and
The Executive. 1t can BE- easily remcdled.-
Whenever bill! has passed both houses OF the
General Assembly, let it be at once enrolled
and examined by the enrolling committee OF
each house, and then let it be promptly signed
nv the presiding officer OF each branch OF the
| LEGISLATURE, and forthwith presented to the
Governor. The present Executive will guar
! autee the prompt performance OF his duty, and
| precude the necessity of an hours delay 10
| the adjournment Of the General Assembly on
| the dav fixed BIZ it, or By Law. or the constl-
| tuition.
CoDIFlCATION OF THE LAWS.
trust that before the close OF your present
session, YOU will make provision for the
appointment of a commission Of OF least
three abIo LAWYERS and legislators Tor the
codi6catiou OF our laws. The necessity for
harmonious and well digeStcd body OF laws
must be apparent to ALL Many years have
clanscd since an authorized publication has
been made. In the meantime, great changes
have been made in our fundamental and statu
tory laws and more or less or confusion
necessarily obtains. a commission, organized
bv YOU, with energy and diligence, could DC
nrenared 10 report at the first session OF the
next General Assembly. :.
There are other subjects which will enlist
YOUR early attention, and upon which [ propose
to express NY views, but the proportions to
which this paper ha: already grown, admonlsh
me that | should BRING it to close. The large
number OF laws which you have already passed
have gone into full force, aud are everywhere
respected and obeyed. Our people everywhere
are adapting themselves to the changed con
dition OF affairs with promptitude, wisdom
and moderation worthy Of all praise. 10 o5ed-
fence to law, in the maintenance OF order, and
the pertol nance OF all the duties appcrtslolng
to good citizenship, the People OF Virginia
challenge comparison with any State in the
Union. Everywhere within the broad limits
of the Commonwealth every citizen is safe and
secure in bis ''life, liberty, and the pursuit Of
happiness. Emerging from the terrible
ordeal of four years baptism Of blood, strlpt
Of everything save ineorruptibIe honor, the
people Of this Commonwealth have again re-
sumcd their place in the Union Of their fathers
with an earnest purpose and fixed determine
ton to fulfill all the obligations OF American
citizens. More cannot be required OF them
less they will not perform.
GILBERT q. WALKER.