The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-04

252 pages Including long revenue bill.
whereas the private acts stretch over 1913
pages. m some feasible means could he
adopted TO rid tho Legislature OF TINS
mass OF private legislation. the condition
OF affairs would ia much improved
I'm England the line between pupic
and private bills is very clearly drawn.
Tho ministry IS responsible for every
public measure. and such bill Is drafted
or amended by expert draughtsmen III
the constant and steady employ OF the
government At the head Of this corps
Of drauGhtsmcn is a lawyer OF dlstlhc-
ton. who receives n salary epnal 10
that Of "A Judge. and holds his position
during good behavior
Under the standing orders or farla-
ment. private and local bills since lNf'
have no longer been treated ms leBlsla-
ton. properly speaking. but are subJect
10 strict rule Of procedure ana are
tried as a lawsuit is. before trial COM
mittee OF Parliament. Every private
bill must be deposited In the frlNa'e
Bills office sixty days before inc ne
ginning Of the session. Notice 10 All Az
verse interests IS required ana nearing
proceeds as regularly as does cause j"
court.
I'm France and Prussia the statutory
law deals with general laws only In
France these are submitted for revision
before enactment 10 n Council OF state
composed OF leading lawyers and publ
cists. 1870,
SYSTEM or DEALING WITH THEM
"A commission. appointed by the Gov
ornor Of New York under joint resoiu-
ton Of the Legislature. TO recommend
changes i'm methods Of legislation, re-
portina I'm 1895. recommended that com
mittoos Of revision should consider an
measures both public and private or To-
col and that each Of such committees
shall be assisted I'm SIS labors by a Jaw
vor Of at least ten years standing with
an adequate salary 10 insure proper talent
who shall have such assistants as may
be necessary.
"The English system or dealing with
nrlvate bills is somewhat too cumbrous
and costly TO be adopted I'm Virginia
although n method Of procedure basen
upon tho same principles might win
suitable notifications be- found 10 greatly
improve the character Of our legislation.
"A rule of the House ~ Delegates
provides that n a petition or memorial
relate 10 q matter ~ private right or
interest II shall appear that the parties
10 he affected have had notice NJ least
equal 10 that required by law in regard
IN matters TO be transacted In n court
~ Justice hut the rule has fallen mo
desuetude. not innocuous.
"Hut the English method ~ securing
accuracy I'm public bills might perhaps
be proftably applied to all bills coming
before the Virginia Legislature-puohc
and private. So,
"The suggestion Is made with great an
fdoncc. for their arc many diilcui'les lh
the way Of its operation.
There might be staff of counSel
permanently attached 10 the Legislature.
These should be lawyers Of the highest
/ rank. selected FOR ability and not ON ac-
count Of political services. Componsa-
tiou sufficient to secure the services Of the
| leaders NJ the profession should be paid.
Every bin referred TO n committee should
DO critically examined by one OF these
counsel. Tie should report as 10 It's
| effects upon the general body Of the law.
point out constitutional or other defects,
| and. if necees1- rcdraft tho BILL
WHAT THE LAW IS
"The saving 10 the people effected by
| clear and accurate expression ot me
| Legislature would be very great. have
| heard our loved teacher the late John r.
Minor moved bv some legislative dere-
/ fiction more than usually fragrant. de-
| clare that if the legislature could have
| some good lawyer 10 tell ia what the law
| Is. and what effects it's onactments would
| produce. be would be worth many times
| his weight en- gold
Great as would be the benefit result
| ing from the careful scrutiny Of public
| bills bv counsel for the committees. it is
! quite as important that private bills
| should Dc subjected 20 such an erami-
| nation. paradoxical though this statement
| may seem. Most private bills. especially
as the State can be induced 20 give
! To them every line Of the proposed act
| is pregnant with meaning and Is drawn
in the light Of innumerable decisions. IL
| should Dee the province OF counsel whose
, only client is the State. 10 warn the law
makers against unworthy and indiscrmi-
| nate hestowal Of their sovereign bounty
| These legal assistants might he term
! cd legislative counsel assistant attorneys
| general. or they might De called by any
| othcd appropriate name. Their designa-
immaterial.
"Tho expense NJ the whole system
might boz met 10y fees imposed upon
| those asking the passage of private bills.
| Pension bills and others having benevo-
lent object might Doe excepted under the
| proper rules from the payment o. these
| charges.
/ OF Ie 700 NNIt 10 nope iINA il'0f
| suggestions may soon bear practical fruit
| but the advance OF society will bring q
| demand for. greater precision ia legisla-
! tive methods. and our present desultory
! and irregular processes VIII be replaced
| by symmetrical and orderly system.
OTHER PAPERS.
Mr. William W. Old. of Norfolk then
| read the report OF the Committee on Leg
islation and Law Reform which after
| some discussion was adopted
Nr James Lewis Anderson. Of Rich
| mond. then read the report OF the Com
mittee on Legal Education ard Admis-
sion 90 the bar which was adopted as was
| also the report of the Committee on Ad-
missions presented by Mr.. Stickley after
VIII ich the Association adjourned 20 We'd
| nesday morning.
DIED DURING THE YEAR.
Since the Association held its last meet
ing al old Point about year ago. It has
| lost number OF prominent members by
DEATH Among them were Messrs. A. l..
| BoulWaro and r. G.. Pegram. Of this city
| j. Randolph Tucker. Of Lexington, Judge
H. C.. Burks. OF Bedford
Rev. Hartley Carmichael. y. D.. rector
Of 81. Pauls church in this city. who is
at present spending his vacation at the
| Warm Springs. viii so 20 Hot Springs to-
wards the end OF the week and will preach
20 the members Of the State Bar Associa-
ton.
Tomorrow morning the committee APP
pointed 10 recommend officers will submit
! ITS report and the election Of officers and
/ of rnar7hore Of the executive committed