Chalmers v. Funk & Son

Citations

• 76 Va. 717
• 1882 Va. LEXIS 71

Syllabus

<p>'1. Statutes—Construction.—la the interpretation of statutes, as of deeds, the primary object is to ascertain the intention of the lawmakers, and to give that intention effect, although the construction may not be in conformity with the letter of the law. The whole statute must be taken ■ together and the different provisions reconciled, so as to make the entire act consistent and harmonious.</p> <p>■2. Idem—Idem—Case here.—Under an act approved 14th February, 1SS2, entitled “An act authorizing the voters of Roanoke county to vote upon the question of granting license for the sale of liquors therein, or in any magisterial district thereof,” an election was held on 13th April, 18S2, at which 491 votes were cast, whereof 101 were for, and 339 were against granting license in the county. A majority of the votes cast in each magisterial district were also against the granting of the licenses. The number of registered voters in the county exceeded two thousand. F • & Son applied to the county court of said county for license to sell liquors therein. Of said act § 4 declares : “If it appear from the abstracts and returns of any such election that in the said county a majority of the registered votes have been cast against license for the sale of intoxicating liquors, then no license shall be granted to any person for the sale of such liquors.” And § 5 declares : “But if it appears from the abstracts and returns of any such election, that in the said county a majority of votes have been cast in favor of license, and that a majority of votes have been cast in any district or districts of said county, then no license for such sale in any of the districts so voting shall be granted.” When the act passed the house of delegates, the word “registered” was not in it. When it went to the senate, it was there amended by the in- • sertionof the word “registered,” before the word “votes,” in the second line of § 4; and so amended, it passed the house and became a law. The county c