The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-04

Der and ju isdiction of the circuit courts,
Farther reflection has convinced Inc that
the former is the more feasible plan. We
need but one court Of record of original
jurisdiction, and undoubtedly twenty or Of
most tweuty-four circuit courts could read.
lily and promptly attend to all legal BUSH
ness, except probate, necessary to be trans-
acted IN courts of record. County courts
cannot be abolished without ain amendm, mt
OF the constitution, nor should [ deem il
ADVISABLE under any circumstances, The
jurisdiction OF these courts, however, il
within the control of the Legislature. Let
their jurisdiction be limited to matters of
probate and such civil and criminal iurisdic-
ton and general supervision of county mat
ters as may be deemed advisable, but
dispensing with juries, except at the
option and expense OF litigants. and
providing for system of fees which
shall defray the whole expenses of the
court except small salary to be paid from
the state treasury in conformity to the
constitution, and saving Of at least
slo0,00O can be annually made to the
commonwealth. have no fault to find
with tho manner in which our county
Judges have discharged their functions. Ii
is not the jud 'es. hut the system, which
censure. W. Ina 9 too many courts and an
unnecessarily expensive judicial system.
Fewer courts aud better paid Judges will
elevate the judges, will elevate the judicial
standard, secure the prompt and satislac-
tory transaction of business and materially
lessen the burdens Of the system.
The Judges of Botetourt and Appomat-
tox counties resigned some time since. and
the vacancies thus occasioned were tempo.
rarily provided for by the appointment OF
j. j. Allen Esq, to the former and by as.
signing the judge of Prince Edward county
to hold the courts IN the latter.
On the 18th ultimo the able and upright
judge OF Dlnwiddie county, Hon. james
Soisseau, departed this life, after brief
illness, and the vacancy thus occasloneu
the Legislature should promptly fill.
IMMIGRATION.
In my last annual message | discussed.
at some length, the subject Of immigration
and desire respectfully to call your atten-
ton to the views therein expressed, and the
suggestions made. Private enterprisd ha,
been commercially active during the pas
| year IN inducing immigration to the State,
out the sum total OF results accomplished,
has been slight indeed when comparee wit,
| our wants and necessities. Private enter
prise alone, and unaided by State acii n,
can never accomplish large results. Tn,
two should go hand in hand, mutually aid
i'g each other. Three things are abso.
| lutely essential to success in this behalf
VIZ: accurate information, ready and chea,
transportation and facilities for the promp
| acquisition of homes by the immigrants o,
arrival here, at fair and reasonable prices
We already have line of steamers plyin.
| between Liverpool and Norfolk, which du
! ring the past year has landed at Norfulk
over one Thousand immigrants of the cha,
acter needed TO purchase and deyeope on
| IDLE and uncultisated lands. This enter,
PRISE deserves encouragement, and know
| OF 20 mode which will better accomplish
that end or confer more lasting benefits upon
the State, than the organization and success
Jul operation OF thorough and practice
system OF immigration. Such q system
ought not to be either Cumbersome or cum
brous, and should be sech as to exclad,
from our borders pauper immigrants o
| condemned criminals. The preparatio,
and publication by State authority
proper statistics and information ofour cor
dltlon, and the almost innumerable adval
tages we possess for the Immigrant wout,
be OF vast benefit, and would contribu,c
largely to the success of local and priyat,
Immigration enterprises. The Allan I'm,
OF ocean steamers, together with our rail
roads, will afford the means of Transports
6 ON to the immigrant, upon as adyanta-
geous terms as any Of the great lines c,E-
tering at New York. The other essentia
mentioned, viz: such provision as viii
enabie the immigrant, on arrival here. t.
promptly purchase, at fair an,
reasonable price, suitable homt
without delay or difficulty, will b,
found more difficult of accomplishment.
And yet no immigration scheme can b.
successful to any considerable degree with.
out it. Herein, and in this particular only.
the West, with its government lands, ana
the ease with which lands are transferred
from one to another, possesses decided adj
vantage over US. | am satisfied, however.
that plan can be adopted which, even in
this respect, will shift this advantage in our
favor. | have said nothing as to the ne.
cessties of immigration. They are go
plain and palpable, that it would seem oil
most an insult to the intelligence Of oul
people to discuss them. take it for grant
ed that we ell appreciate its importance,
and that the only branch of the suhiec
open for discussion is as to the best means
to be adopted to secure it. earnestl,
commend the subject TO your considera-
ton.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
Most of c,lr rail orous Ia..