The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-23

4 QUESTION OF LEGISLATIVE PRACTIC CE-
TIE MATTER OF THE PRESENTATION OF A
BILL TO THE GoVERSoR.-The report OF the
committee (Messrs. Hurt Of Pittsylvauia
and Murray and the minority report, by j.
w. Marshall, on the subject Of the commu-
nication, enrolling. presentation. and sign
inc by the Governor Of House bill No. l, to
provide for the use Of eonYict-saboT-5n the
James River and Kanawha canal, came up
in the Senate on yesterday, and swere dis
cussed.
This bill, on December 18th, was obtained
OF the keeper OF the rolls by Major John w.
Johnston, president Of the James River and
Kanawha Company, and by him presented
| to Governor Eemper, and the bill received
the signature OF Governor kemper at once.
| This bill fiSd not been enrolled before such
presentation, and it is contended that there
| is no law requiring it to be so enrolled-the
law requiring acts, notdsNs, to be enrolled
and bill cannot become an act before It's
presentation to the Governor.
The report Of the committee says "that
certain exhibits tend to- show that there
was no intentional wrong on the part OF
those who committed the error"
| The minority report says the clerk OF the
Senate is an experienced and faithful officer,
and bis sense Of official honor would be
deeply wounded by even the intimation OF
an ilnputation OF "wrong."
It has been the pride and glory OF this
ancient Commonwealth to reward her faith
in, public servants who have been conspicu-
Gus in the performance OF their duty; and
now let not this Senate lay violent hands
upon the fair fame and renoWn OF the clerk
of the House Of Delegates, VINO Is the keeper
OF the rolls, and who for long series OF
wears has been so faithful TO the high trust
! this Commonwealth has Justly reposed III
him; and in Governor Remper, whose un-
selfish devotion to his State, in war and IN
peace, will entitle him to be ever remem-
bered by grateful and loving people, sifn-
ply because, in case Of public emergency,
thew have promptly and eXpeditiously per-
formed their respective duties under the
laws and Constitution OF their State.
Resolued, That the clerk OF the Senate,
the clerk of the House OF Delegates and
the keeDer OF the rolls, and Governor kem-
! per, have in this matter promptly anu pro-
narly performed .neir respective duties IN
accordance with the rules, statutory law,
and the Constitution, and that no wrong or
error was committed by any one concerned
| in this transaction.
But the most remarkable position was
that OF Senator Murray, OF Louisa. lie dis
claimed any intention, so far as he was con-
cerned, OF rejecting on the Governor or
the keeper of the rolls; but he thought
that the clerk OF the Senate had Justly IN
cured the criticism OF that body for having
refused to withhold the communication oi
the bill upon the application OF the Senator
from Pittsvlyania, because when the Senate
had ordered its immediate communication
: the Chair, in view OF the fact that the House
OF Delegates had at that time adjourned
announced that the passage OF the oll
would be communicated to the House o.
Delegates the next day at II O'Clock, TIT
hour of their meeting, and the earliest houl
} at which it could possibly be communicated
to them.
The minority report was agreed to-yeas
90; nays, 7.