Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-02

II ID moi my intention TO propose my radical changes
in The organization Of The Militia, although it is obvious
that Iie system is very defective. | would only advise
that The Brigade Inspectors be again authorised 10 drill
the officers as formerly 10 attend the regimental mus
lers inspect The public arms in the hands Of the militia
and make returns and reports under the direction Of the
Adjutant. General.
In laying before you the Report of the Superintend-
ent Of the Armory. and the Public Ed,fces, il affords
me pleasure TO state, TINT on a personal inspection of the
Armory, found The quarters of The Public Guard in the
best condition, and every other part Of The Armory in
proper order, except such part as required the repairs
mentioned in The Report of the Superintendent.
] concur in opinion with him, that it would be advl.
sable to authorize the purchase Of the lots named in his
Report, If they can be had at q reasonable price. When
The late fire took place on one of these lots, and the one
al the greatest distance from the Governors House, |
understood that this house and oul.buildings were in
great hazard OF being burnt. If these lots were purcha-
sed, The Commonwealth would then own the entire
Square.
Early in the last summer the Executive, in pursuance
Of the Act of the General Assembly, passed the 22d OF
March, lc3G, for rc-organizing The Lexington Arsenal,
and eStabhshinga Military School in connection with
Washington College; and of The Act Of the 22d of March,
1887, amending the first Act, appointed Col. I. Crozet,
Gen. Peter G. Johnston, Gen. William Lyon and Gen.
George Rust, Visitors, for the purpose of carrying INTO
execution the provisions of the act first mentioned, who,
with the Adjulant. GeneraI, appointed a Visitor by law,
repaired 10 Lexington in August last, TO perform the du.
ties required Of them. Their Report, dated on the 9th of
thai month, nnd the accompanying papers, are herewi'n
communicated, from which it will be seen that the School
could not be organized without further Legislation. !
entirely concur in opinion with these highly Intelligent
gentlemen, that The State would derive great benefit from
The permanent establishment ola Military School, such
us Is contemplated, and that The appropriation proposed
by The Visitors, for certain additional buildings, ought 10
be made.
! herewith communicate The Report Of the Board Of
Directors, and OF the Superintendent of The Peniten.
tIary. Having recently examined into the condition oil
this institution, and lis management, am happy TO
have it in my power TO state, that these ale such as to
do credit to the present able Superintendent. | venture
TO suggest. that the discipline of this institution may be
improved, by diminishing generally The terms Of soia-
ny confinement; AID by aholisbing it, in many cases,
altogether. Solitary confinement may uggrarate thr
punishment, but ] am satisfied il never produces any
lasting reformation, and il lessons the chance of ncquir.
ing the knowledge Of some profitable trade. The effect
too, may be, to render the convict more obdurate and
desperate, rather than 10 produce q feeling of repentance
and purpose OF reformation
/ send you resolutions Of the Legislatures of Massa.
chusells and Mississippi, on The subject of extending
the Thanking privilege 10 The Governor and other officers
of the States.
Brigadier- General George C. Dromgoole, of the 18th
Brigade of the Militia, having resigned his commission
since The last annual session, communicate the fact,
in order that the vacancy may be filled.
Many applications have been made by the Justices oil
the Peace and other public officers, 10 be supplied with
The Revised Laws and Henings J~ns,ice-and as
have been informed there are no copies TO be Ind, |
would recommend that provision be made Tor publishing
n new edition of The laws, and for preparing and pub
fishing n cheaper work of forms for The use of The Jus.
tees Of the Peace. A large port Of Hening's Justice is
Of no practical use TO the Justices and the forms may
be greatly abridged. in practice they ae often abridged
ut the risk of emitting parts that may be held 10 be cs.
sential.
| would also call your attention to the communication
of the Secretary Of the Commonwealth, herewith sub.
mitled, from which it will be seen, that n sufficient num-
Der of the acts passed uteach session of the General AS
,-,,kl, mn not nnptrat In Ia ytntaH Tr oil N nnrnpepn
intended.
| send herewith a communication I had the honor 10
receive from The Executive Of Louisiana, endorsing Ger.
tain resolutions Of the Legislature OF that State relative
10 Abolition Societies.
1t is painful and Notifying TO be under the necessity
of applying to any portion of the citizens Of our COM
mon country, the epilhets that appropriately describe
The conduct and designs Of those who belong 10 these
wicked and evil associations. They e1hibl; 4 spectacle
no less horrible in the view Of The friends Of order, Of
their country welfare and of constitutional obligation,
than would be exhibited by on association in the South,
got mp to lay waste the factories of the North and 10 as.
sassinnle their PropLIetors under p'etence OF sell'ng loose
their operatives. TO suppose this possible in any por.
ton Of our countrymen, would be injurious 10 their sense
Of moral and civil ~propriety; ye, il IS a fl Illustration Of
The ruthless purposes Of the Abolitionists.
In the people at large, in the non-slaveholding States,
there abides, trust, that devotion 10 our Union, and
horror If all lawless and indefcnsible proceedings which
will shame from the face Of day, the pest and its authors,
and i, shall abide with us.
Whilst / do not recommend 4 Southern Convention,
as proposed by The Louisiana resolutions, am altogether
of opinion, that it should be known as the unalterable
determination Of the South, tina, il viii not descend in
the halls of Congress, 10 debate propositions proceeding
kom 4 quarter which respects neither its right Of self
government, uut its moral nnd religious creed.
herewith transmit q communication from ihs Pyesi-
den, and Cashier Of the Exchange Bank oil Virginia,
showing its present condition-and another from the
President Of the Bank Of Virginia, enclosing the minutes
of the proceedings Of The Bank Convention held in the
cit of New York.
Whatever aid / can afford you in your investigations
Of The important subjects which will come before you,
shall be most cheertully renhered-And indulge the
hope, that your deliberations will result in giving TO the
improvements Of the country, whether physical or moral,
The rrcates, impulse Of which they are susceptible.
DAVID CAMPBELL.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
-,,r, Lot 1904