Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-12-21

little exceeded $4,000, and at the enc
| Of the current fiscal year, charging the
| Treasury with only the ordinary ex,
penses Of Government, and ascertalned
claims against it, that officer estimates
the balance at about $4,000 only. But
az extraordinary and specific apPro-
nriations. and unforeseen demands upon
the Treasury, have never in any year
| failed to exceed that amount, 1t is PLAIN
that the State will be unable to meet
her engagements, unless measures are
taken by the Legislature TO meet the
threatened deficiency.
The suggestions made by the Fourth
Auditor, as to the means the most ex-
pedient to be adopted in order to effect
this object, and which avoid at the
same time, the necessity of augmenting
the taxes, always unwelcome, but at
the present moment, in view OF causes
bearing on u financial condition, now
in operation, perhaps unwlse also,)
seem to me highly j%udicious. Should
they, however, fail to find favor with
the Legislature. no alternative is per-
ceived to be left them, save an increase
: of taxes. In such case, however, 1t is
gratifying to know, that an addition to
the land tax, so slight, as scarcely to
be felt-and an increase OF that upon
slaves, bearing nc proportion to the
enhancement of their value since the
present rates we're established, would
secure an expansion of our
so as to meet all probable exigencies OF
the Treasury-whether arising from
fluctuations of the revenue, specific APP
preparations, or the emergencies to
E which all communities are liable, and
for which all should provide.
The annual report Of the Adjutant
General, herewith submitted, exhibits
to you the condition, and Gas near
as may be,) the strength of the mi
litia of the Commonwealth, and in con-
nection with that of the superintendent
of the Armory, also communicated,
presents a complete view ofthe number
and condition of all arms, and %accoutre
ments, and ammunition, belonging to
the State.
tits certainly to be regretted, (as we
|, learn to be the case from the first men.
toned report) that so important a fact
as the exact strength ofour militia force
should be capable of being arrived at
only conjecturably /; yet, the expert
ence, so far, Of the working ofthe new
law, though it has been seconded by
the jealous exertions of the Adjutant
General, affords no grounds to hope
: the more accurate working of it here
after, unless the present provisions on
the subject shall be modified. On this
point, the views presented in the report
of that officer are recommended to the
favorable consideration of the Legisla.
ture.
Notwithstanding the time and labor
devoted by recent Legislatures to the
efficient organization of the militia and
that end seems yet far from attained
land the operation of the new law dis
closes so much looseness and o~bscurity
and such numerous defects in its provi-
sions, as to compel me to invite your
careful revision ofthe whole subject
A more fitting opportunity may be Of
fered to the Executive, ofIaying before
you these defects /; but it must be to the
combined wisdom, observation, and OK
perince, Of the Legislature alone, that
the country will be indebted (if the
great problem shall, indeed, ever be
solved for the successful organization
of a system that shall formthe efficient
citizen soldier, who cultivating the arts
of peace, is trained at the same time to
meet the exigencies of a
The report of the Superintendent of
T the Public Edifices, sent herewith, con-
tains a suggestion respecting the build
ing known as the Museum, and now
the property Of the State, which that
f officers practical knowledge renders
worthy of attention. Whether that
building shall answer the purpose for
which it was purchased or no., the prop"
er accommodation of the officers of the
government, and the safe preservation
of the public archives, are objects
strongly claiming provision at the
hands ofthe Legislature.
Accompanying this, you will also
re%ceivethe statements oftheir condition |
required by law to be semi annually
furnished by the Bank Of the Valley,
Northwestern Bank Of Virginia, and
the Merchants and Mechanics Bank of
Wheeling.
| lay before you a letter addressed
TO me, in June last, by the Judge of the
Eastern district OF Virginia, on the
subject of the charges customarily
made by this State ON the General Co
vernment for the maintenance and
safe keeping of United States ~convicts
received into our Penitentiary, as also,
sundry proceedings and reports of the
Directors and Superintendent of that
Institution, to whom the same was re-