Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-11-06
an EXTRA SESSION az TEE
LEGISLATURE

The Constitutional Amendment be
inc ratified, would it not be better for
She interests OF tho people for the Gov
ernor, at an early day, 10 call the Leg
islature together in an extra session
And this, because, without new leGisia
ton no Circuit Courts can be held, no
business can be done by the county COM
missioners, and bat little business can
be done by tie justices OF the peace. In
awoyd, remarks the Nloundsvllle Gazette,
after the first day OF January, without
new legislation, there will be almost an
entire slaDd-still Of the judicial and
quasilegislation business OF the State.
The reason Of this neeG not here be
stated, for it Will be apparent to the
judicial mind who has the power to
provide against it, as above stated Ii
we wait until the regular session OF the
legislature, it will in all probability be
March or April before we will again
have our courts and other tribunals IN
aworkins condition. But if we have
an extra session, as suggested, by the
time the officers terms under the amend
meut commence, such laws can be
ready. rs will allow them to go 10 work.
TO reasonable mind, il seems to MS,
there can be 10 well founded objection
10 such an extra session; for unless the
next legislature proves itself 10 bc much
superior TO the average OF those of this
and other States, it cannot during a
term of u regular session make all the
needed legislation, such as is demanded
by the people. New laws in the way
of revision oil the old ones are what
il most dcmauded-and this in way
that will make them permanent. This
being the case, why not have On extra
session now rather than a probable eX
tension at the close OF the regular scs-
sion? Aud especially SO when it will
prevent most important part of the
machinery Of the State from being IN
allegiance, and under pay during such
allegiance. Besides, if the Legislature
Is called in session to make laws 10 put
the amendments into operation, 1t
would not, under the constitution, enter
upon other Legislation, and the whole
session would he devoted to that end
This would not be the case at a regular
session, to the probable delay of this
much needed legislation. If we have
no such extra session, the condition OF
the counties of the State vii! be lllns-
trated by what will be the condition of
this county. In this county We will
have no Nov, or Jan. terms of the old
County Court. Our last Court ended
about the middle of Sept. So we will
have no courts until some time in the
spring--a period of 6 or I months.
During that time the commissioners
cannot transact the business Of the
county. Nor can the Justices OF the
Peace perform an important part of
their functions. And it may be ques-
toned whether the clerks of the old
County Courts can continue to perform
such quasi judicial acts as they did,
such as probating wills, appointing ad-
ministrators, DC. Under such condi-
ton will not the interests Of the State,
county and people suffer- Does it not
admit OF great and irreparable loss to
happen to each? In conclusion, it seems
to me this is an "extraor binary occa-
sion,' and one that should be acted
upon. But it is due TO the Governor OF
the State TO here note that we are, at
this writing, unaware of any expressed
intention or opinion of his in reference
to this matter. Du. write simply to
call the attention of all interested to
what seems serious matter,
hoping that the Governor, with the
appreciation of the people, will do what
Is best to relieve Our anomalous condi-
ton.