Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-17

and Improvement o. Norfolk, "a town
which Virginia will cherish as being
the hrst Seaport on the A tiantc Coast.
and which may at no distant day, when
the commercial interests of the Union
shall again be consulted, claim a COM
parlsou 18th any other; commerce has
built all the cities I'm the world the
want Ut 1t has made the largest the ha-
hitation for bats aud for reptiles.
The enterrrising citizens OF Peters
hursh have projected rail road from
tina, town TO the Roanoke river, which
promises when viewed as part of the
whole system, To- be useful IN forming
Il Ink OF the chain intended To connect
the trade o! the southern region with
the commerce of James River.
Other Improvements of great irnpor-
lance Will from time to time presen,
themselves and will doubtless obtain
the countenance of the Legislature.
10 expedite the plans of improve
ment which the wisdom of the General
Assembly may think expedieut to re.
sumo or adopt 1t Is respectfully sugges-
ted that the State might be benefited by
unG aftaking them exclusively upon her
own resources II the duty
OF the Principal Engineer often to in-
spect them and placing the same under
hls direction and control.
L received a con munication from
John Mccoy Esq. member of the
Board of public Works, under date of
the 9TH of October, announcing his de-
termination to resign his appointment
as member of the Board AS the la
bors OF that body will commence on
the first of January next, it may be
well, at an early day to appoint a sue
ceSsor.
The military force of the State is
strong and increasing; the greatest
harmony amongst the officers exists ev-
ey wheie--tho' some Legislative enact
mentS may be necessary, for It's better
discipline and prompt and effective ac-
ton. The arms and ordnance are in ex-
cellent order, and can be used wheDes "
er Necessity requires, without encoun-
terlng expense or delay. The strength
OF this force, together with the humber.
! description, aud condition of the arms
and ordnance, will be seen by reference
TO the reports OF the Adlutant General
land Commandant o! the Public Guard
herewith communicated.
The condition of the Treasury will
be found To be as prosperous, as at any
former period, though the amount on
hani may he less, than on the cores
Pondlng day OF the last year, the d fer
ence may perhaps be accounted for, by
the reduction Oh the taxes, made at the
last session OF the General Assembly.
The unexpended balance in the Treas
ury, at the end OF the fiscal year 1929,
, was S-G,990,l2; that which remained
at the end OF the year 1880, being SbSS,
"a ,S6-the actual amount m the
Treasury on the 4.h day of the pres.
ent month, was 1884 $3.50, being less
! than on the corresponding day of the
; preceding year SI9,4I5,92.
The prosperous condition of our fin
, ances, had no farther calls upon the
reasury been expected, than the ordl-
nary demands upon st, is such as
would have justified even a farther re-
ducuon on the tax annually levied upon
the people, and still lett meals sufii-
cIent, IN the money, and labor, at COM
mand, to- have effected much for the
Improvement of the State, without the
necessity of resorting to- taxation-but
there is the strongest probability, that
: III the course OF the ensuing year, large
and pressing demands will be made for
| the amount due to the officers of the
. revolution.
, Under these circumstances, it vii
become necessary, to provide FOR the
payment of these claims as they are
done without tesortlng TO means at al
D burthensome to the State
J Many benefits it is believed, NIGH
e in time flow from an alteration in the
mode OF levyiDg the taxes for the sup
: port Of the government. All are desi
' rous OF knowing what they will annu.
I ally have to contribute, which would bt
e the case, if the law imposing the take,
c was less liable to change The Sigh
II fluctuations that occasionally occur il
g the amount found in the Treasury a
i the end of the year, will not prese mt al
l. adequate reason for so frequent
IT change of the law. The unexpendet
't balance in the Treasury, after satisfy
W ing all demands under the act maxim!
TO appropriations for that year, would no
s. be great, but if carried 10 a surplu
d fund, might in a few years efTectuat
ID many useful Improvements in the stat
r be unfelt and preserve unformit
r. in the annual contribution.
BY reference to thereport ofthe super
III lntendant OF the penltentiary, herewith
Oi communicated, the condition Of tina
a prison WILDE found to- be much improi