The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-09-27
Class Legislation.

A Mr.. Thurber, in his evidence before
the Senate Labor Committee, in New
York, the other day, stated that there
were 264 lawyers in the last Cong ress, a
large proportion of whom were retained
by railroad and other corporations as coun-
sci. While the lawyers on the committee
disputed the accuracy of TIE statement,
especially as it relates to the corporations,
the fact remains that there are two many
lawyers chosen to make the laws of the
States and country. Lawyers are human
like other people and are as likely to be
warped by their own interests as any other
class. If it happens that manufacturer
gets into Congress, and favors tariff that
would benefit the branch of business in
which he is engaged, a great hue and cry
is raised against him. This was notable
with New York Senator who was inter-
ested in paper manufacture. He wanted
a change on some article, the effect of
which would be to benefit his trade. At
once the press of both parties criticized
his motive with unsparing severity. And
so it is with all other classes of men, ex-
cept lawyers. They assume to be freer
from personal considerations than others,
and the people have practically conceded
that the assumption is right. But it is not
So They have as many weak spots in
their make up as others, and ought not to be
trusted with any more license than gem
tlemen engaged in any other pursuit.
Take our own State and the Code of Vir-
ginia as an illus tratiOn. The bulky vol
ume is past the comprehension of those
who made it. Legislation has not been for
the benefit of the people. There has been
no controlling purpose to enact laws to Sc
cure the greatest good to the greatest
number. Take the chancery practice, for
instance. Its tortuous and tedious pro-
cesses multiply unnecessary expense almost
beyond computation, and impose delays in
reaching results hurtful to all the interests
of community, except the legal frater-
nifty and the court officers. AS to the
sales under DEGREES of court, they were
at one time confined to the sheriff, but
now the court appoints commissioners, al
most invariably from the bar. This change
was effected by the lawyers in the Legis-
lature, not that the ends of justice would
the more certainly be reached, but because
it was a source of profit. The sheriffs
were bonded in large amounts every one
knew this fact and who the sheriff was
the funds arising from such sales were Sc
cure-distribution was prompt, and par
ties litigant satisfied with his administra-
tisn. Why the change? There can be
no other answer than that those making
the laws determined on class legislation,
and for the benefit of class.
We submit that it is about time the peo-
pie were looking after these things, and
sending to the Legislature gentlemen who
will courageously approach the considera-
ton of the general interests of the public
and the correction Of the palpable wrongs
growing out of such legislation. They want
men of practical business sense to represent
them, whether the representatives may pass
as orators ornot. There is too much senti-
ment in our local politics, and not enough
Of practical Judgment in determining laws
under which all classes of citizens have to
live and be governed by.