Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-14
VIRGINIA REPORTS.
BAR ASSOCIATION OF RICHMOND EX-
PRESS OPINION THRRE0E.
Resolutions In Respect TO the Memory OF
Alexander II. Sands Elec-
tion Of officers, &c.

The regular annual meeting Of the
Bar Association of the City OF Rich
mond was held at their rooms, hob Main
street yesterday at p. NJ.
A committee consisting OF Judge Fitz-
hugh and Messrs. L. Y. Cannon and Hill
Carter were appointed to report suitable
resolutions on the death Of the late
Alexander II. Sands. They soon after
wards made their report, which was
unanimously adopted.
The resolutions speak of Mr.. SANDS as
"the devoted Christian, excellent law
yer, and valuable citizen that he was"
VIRGINIA REPORTS AND JUDGES OPINIONS
The association then proceeded to bust
ness.
The Committee on Grievances made
the following report, which was agreed
to. and the committee, on motion, re-
quested to urge the adoption of the bill
presented with the report before the
Legislature
TO the Bdr Association Of the city Of
Richm0Hd:
Your committee, to whom was referred
the following resolutions
81. Whether section 4, Article 26, Of
the Constitution of Virginia, which is as
follows when a Judgment or decree is
reversed or affirmed by the Supreme
Court of Appeals the reasons therefor
shall be stated in writing, and preserved
with the records of the case has been
complied with and if not, whether any
and what action looking to its more per
feet performance is necessary or desira-
bic
90. Whether the State Reports are
published as early as practicable after
the decisions are rendered and If not,
what is the cause of the delay, and
whether any and what action in that be-
half Is necessary or desirable ~
In response to the first resolution,
beg leave to report that, after careful in
quiry, they tind that in many cases in
the Court of Appeals the opinion
has not been filed for very long
period after the decision was an
nounced. That this practice is produc-
tive of great Inconvenience and injury
cannot be doubted. 1t is important for
the parties or their counsel to see the
opinion at once in order to appreciate its
exact scope. to decide whether they will
apply for n rehearing or not, and to pre-
pare a proper petition therefor. If the
case goes back to the lower court, both
the Judge and the counsel need to have
the opinion. and, above all. it is i'm
portant that any decision of the highest
appellate court of the state, which Is
the final declaration OF the law, should
be Immediately and easily accessible TO
every citizen. and should be as widely
published as possible. And tho only
reason suggested for holding back the
opinion-viz., that there may be further
opportunity TO polish and perfect it
strikes your committee as an objection
able privilege for such changes, how
ever carefully made, may materially
alter the sense. Your committee think
the opinion as read and agreed upon
by the court should, as soon as
the decision is announced, without sub
sequent alteration, become and there
after remain a record in the clerk S Office.
Your committee think this is the true
meaning and spirit Of the Constitution.
Bat lnasmuch rs there is q difference of
opinion as to what the Constitution re-
duires, YOUR committee recommend that
the Legislature be requested TO pass the
accompanying bill TO require the opin-
ions to be filed mt the time Of the decl-
sion of the case.
1t is hardly necessary to add that your
committee in recommending this action
have no purpose to reflect in any way
upon the honorable Court of Appeals or
any one of its honorable judges, but
simply desire to have a matter concerning
which a difference OF opinion now ex-
lists settled by legislative enactment in
the manner demanded by convenience
and good policy.
As to the second resolution, your COM
mittee return herewith letter from the
State Reporter which they think fullyre-
spends to that resolution. and in view of
the information therein contained your
committee consider no further action ne
cessary or desirable at present.
Respectfully submitted.
FRANK ". CHRISTIAN,
Dlo;r,o,, &c Fro,,, ittoa IN, C,riavappae