Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-01-10

imepts, shall have been obtained. the an
nual interest charged upon the fund. wi
exceed its disposable revenues. oy nearil
200 900. To meet this deficiency, ana q
maintain unimpsircd the credit sDd iaiti
OF the State, some legislative provision u
indi.pen.ably accessory.
For some years previous 10 the late de
r,nsement Of The currency, loans were
obtained without difficulty, and on advan
,aaeous terms, at an interest oil Ave pei
cent. But the loss which foreign holders
Iof our stock have sustained, in the rcmis
sion Of the last half years interest, ia con
sequence Of the high rate ofexchange and
premium on gold and silver, will. in the
absence Of a proper legal provision TO
meet the emergency, prevent the stock ol
this State from being as highly apprecia
ted abroad, as it otherwise would be. No
loans have been obtained this year. at a
rate Of interest less than six per cent,
whilst the FIVE per cent loans Of other
states have been effected at a handsome
premium.
There will be occasion 70 borrow, IN
the course Of the present year, to meet
existing engagements, about sl,000,000,
and probably a much larger amount here
after. The value OF the stock is fixed a.
broad, and will depend greatly on the
footing upon which it is placed. 10 reia
ton to the payment Of interest. The
credit of the stock in Europe. although
until very lately but a small amount Of II
was owned there, was held ia high est
NATION. The amount now in England
and France, is about 81 DAT 400.
To make the interest of the loans which
NAV hereafter be obtained, payable in
specie or its equivalent. whilst il will add
much to the character Of the stock, will
subject the State TO very little. If any in
convenience,sas any arrangement Of the
pecuniary or commercial affairs OF the
country is of short continuance. Even at
this time. exchange on London is at a
rate which will place the foreign holder oil
stock on as good footing as a remittance
in specie.
The communication Of the Adjutant
General, accompanying his annual return
ofthe militia, both Of which are laid before
you, shows that the return is very incom
plete, and that no accurate return can be
had.
The laws for the preservation OF the
public arms, are entirely defective /; auc
unless amended, the commonwealth viii
soon sustain an immense loss. in the waste
and destruction Of the public arms nov
in the hands Of the militia.
When a volunteer company is organised. ant
procurcs the prescribed uniform, II Is authorised
10 call on the Executive for arms, and they are
-...oIl. F..n;ekod and upyv about nine thou
) and stand are in the hands Of volunteer compa
MES. A company thns organised and equipped
CONTINUES in existence probably, as long as tho
uniform and the novelty OF the association last
and then dissolves. No officer of the company
feels himself responsible for the arms, and gene
rally no account is taken Of them by any one
They are thrown about, used for fowling pieces
or stacked away in some out building, where, IL
a few months, they are ruined with rust. TO
such gross neglect, there seems to be no penalty
and if there was, il IS not made the duty OF any
suitable officer 10 enforce it. The proper oflcel
to perform this duty, would be the Brigadiel
Inspector.
Strict regulations should be prescribed Tor tn
preservation ofthe public arms, and all pubii'
property placed in the hands OF the militia, ant
should be rigidly enforced. NO lesson could d
taught them, Of more Importance, than to I'm
press upon them the high obligations they are
under, to take propercare OF the pubic property
when committed to their charge-and none tht
value of which they would SO highly appreciate
when called into actual service.
1t is not my intention TO propose any radica
change in the organisation OF the militia, aitho
il is obvious that the system is very deIec
tive. would only advise that the Brigadiei
lInspector be again authorised 10 drill the officers
ms formerIy-to attend the regimentai musters--
inspect the public arms in the hands of the mi
litia, and make returns and reports under the
direction of the Adjutant General.
e. x-Asa fhss 20 nnFt nt fhR GnneTln.
mt Of the Armory and the public edihces
il affords me pleasure to state, that, on a person
nj iuspection Of the Armory, ! found the quar-
tiers of the Public Guard in the very best condi
ton, and every other part OF the Armory IN pro
per order, except such part as required 'nef re
pairs mentioned in the report OF the Snperinten'
dent.
oncnr in the opinion with him, tina,
liz would be advisable to author'se the pur
chase of the lots named IN his reports
they can be had at u reasonable price.
When the late fire took place on one o
these lots, and the one at the greatest dis
lance from the Governors house. q
stood that this house and the outbuilding'
wer. in great hazard of being burnt. II
these lots we're purchased the commoa
wealth would then own the entire square
Early in the last Summer, the Execu
live. in pursuance of the act OF the Zen
eral Assembly. passed the 22nd OF March,
1886 for re organizing the Lexington Ar
%senal. and establishing a Military schooi
in c~onneAion with Washington College,
and the act of25th Of March, 1887, amen
ding the first act, appointing Col. G, Gro,
get. Gen. Peter c.. johnson. Gen. Wm-
Lyon, and Gen. George Rust. visitors
for the purpose Of carrying into execution
the provisions Of the act first mentioned
who with the Adjutant General. appoint
led a visitor by law, repaired to Lexington
lin August last. to perform the duties re
nnired Of them Their report, dated on
the 9th Of that month. and the accompa-
~nying papers, are herewith commuhica
ted. from which it will be seen that the
school could not be organized without fur
Their legislation entirely concur in OPT
MON with these highly intelligent gentle.
. men, that the State would derive grea,
, benefit from the permanent establishment
~ L.ol eurh az ia COntemDia-