NOTE D.
During Governor Walker's term the following Act was also passed, viz.:
"An Act to provide for the Publication of the New Edition of the Code of
Virginia. In force, March 25, 1873."
This new edition of the Code of Virginia in 1873 was rendered necessary
by causes which may be briefly enumerated here in the language of
another. They refer to the situation in Virginia after the year 1860:
"The entire change in the organic law since that period; the revolution
through which the Commonwealth has passed; the dissolution of the
connection with the government of the United States by the ordinance of
the secession convention; her independent existence prior to her union
with the government of the Confederate States; her subsequent union
with that government, and the adoption of its Constitution; the continuation
of the State Government at Richmond during the whole war; the
successful establishment of the restored government for the State, at
Wheeling; the action of its legislative and executive authorities there;
the Ordinances and Acts of the convention at Wheeling; the organization
of the State of West Virginia within the established boundaries of this
State; the assent of the restored government to the formation of the new
State, and its final reception into the Union by the Congress of the United
States, recognizing the dismemberment of the State, and authorizing the
representation of the new State in the Senate and House of Representatives;
the removal of the restored government from Wheeling to Alexandria;
the Acts of the Legislature there; the assembling of a convention,
which adopted a new Constitution for the government of the State under
these auspices; the resumption of the powers and functions of the restored
government at the close of hostilities in the City of Richmond, sustained
and supported by the Federal troops; the subsequent destruction of that
government under the Reconstruction Acts of Congress, subjecting the
State to military rule and authority as Military District No. 1; the permission
given by Congress to the State to form again a new Constitution, and
the authority granted to elect members to a convention for that purpose;
the action of that convention by its ordinances and resolutions; the submission
of that Constitution for approval to Congress; the proclamation of
the President of the United States extending to the people the right to
ratify or reject the Constitution itself, or specified clauses in that Constitution;
the ratification of the Constitution by the people, and the rejection
of the two clauses submitted to them; the approval of the Constitution
afterwards by Congress, upon condition of the adoption of the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the Federal Constitution, and of certain
other provisions; the final reception of Senators and Representatives
from this State in Congress, and the action of the General Assembly since,
to adapt the laws of the State to the new Constitution, fundamentally
changing the political and civil structure of the government."
As special interest will always attach to the "Reconstruction Period,"
reference is herewith made to Code of Virginia, 1873, Vol. 1., where an
historical synopsis of much valuable information connected with that era
may be found.
