Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-01-16
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GOVERNORS MESSAGE,


,rra ~ the ,nost sincere congratuation. The
Agricultural products OF the last season, though
anne what less in amount than usual, are greater
than il was at time apprehended they would oe
aud ample enough, not only ior the supply o, wants
but 20 leave a surplus equal in value, probably, 70
tho proceeds of former years. The sentiment o.
respect for the laws and submission 10 the const'
tuted authorities; the order, regularity, peacesoe
and dignifsd department which have been always
the cbaracteristics of our feow-citizens nave been
a. usual, conspicuous through the year wh'ch ha'
;ust closed. ii the reports which have reached u
from other placcs Of fearful and lamenthbie dsor-
der and confusion, have been the occasion OF pam
ful reyret we fortunately, have bad nothing OF the
kind among us complain OF and lament. A. II Is
Essential 10 the walton OF our INSTITUTIONS, and
and Of the national character which our counly mas
hitherto enjoyed, that respect Tor the law aih
admission to its authority, should % spontaneous
mud universal, and as thereapon depends tho con-
,inuance OF the invaluable, civil and political priv
i.res which we have hitherto possessed, u should
be the determination OF every citizen, 40 an out OF
o.fise to permit cause OF complaint, however,
lust il may appear, to excite feeiing On 'nsufDoi
dinarion and TO his influence, on all ocea-
siona. upou the side OF order and decorum This
il tho frat obligation OF good citizen; and upon
its faithful observance and upon our moral ana reii
vious duties rests the title TO the numerous and
;nestimable blessings which a benignant Providence
hath vouchsnfed tous.
The Banks have returned to specie payments,
and the performance OF their obligations 10 tnat
respect has been accompanied with tue reVlvti ~
n1riv,v and confidence In the various lines OF burl-
mas II Ia due to them 10 rsnafk, that they anti
..oated the period al which 1t genernily snppo-
ssd The resu nption would take place, without &c
sorting to a course Of rigorous collections, whch
might have occasohed general cmbarrassment-
Our currency is no longer deprecated ana
auctuating but ia of the standard value; and ex-
air mini
approxin ,tcd 10 the cost Of transporting specie
The early restoration ofspec'e payments, elected
as il has been, without Inconvenience any branch
of business or class Of individuals, ~ gratifying
indication Of the iicn resources Of our young and
vigorous country.
The effect OF the innovation upon the financial
usuges OF the Government proposed IN the late ses-
sion of Congress would most probably have been
70 postpone the period Of recovery from our lately
deranged currency ByereatDs a iactlous demand
for specie il would have contributed still more to
depreciate and dscredu tho circulation OF tho
banks willis they, IN order TO provide Tor the liz
creased liabilities to which the measure would have
expo.ed them, must have proceeded 10 diminish
thsi, discounts more rapidly than would have been
consistent with the general interest
referred in my last annual commentator 10 the
schemc for collecting an keepin g The public money
commonly known as the sub Treasury, and the
opinion which then held has been confirmed by
subsequent rtHectloH anu icSeHt ut''i'Ft''"t'-
regret therefore, observe that 1t is again to be
prcssed on the consideration Of Congress.
Il il is admitted to be an innovation on The htii-
crto uniform financial usages OF the government IL
does not appear to have been suggested by the re-
cent discovery of abuses mischief, IN the system
To which the country has been so long accustomed,
and under which IL has attained 10 so large meas
ure ofprosperity. Ii is not recommended by con-
alterations of economy, the security OF public mo-
new or the lessening OF executive patronage. Nay,
il /. obnoxious to the objection, that the expenses
Of the government would be thereby increased
the public money rendered less secure, and the pat
ronage Of the Executive greatly augmented.
When the public money is placed in Banks to the
credit of the its agents, is attended
nv no charge: and there other risk than the in
solyency of the corporations, which, with ordinary
c,rcumspectlon, IN selecting the repositories, 1t
risk at ALL is one in which most prudent citizens
do not hesitate incur in the management OF their
own affairs. On The other hand, public money in
the CUSTODY Of government agents must be always
insecure, and severity OF penal enactments
against d.flul,ers will be likely materially to d'-
,nnsh the hazard IT, indeed in the selection OF
puclic agents, the appointing power was secure
against misrepresentation and interested aPplica-
tons. there would be M difficulty in finding in any
part OF country competent and faithful officers
but that is to be expected and there VIII always
be danger that responsible trust may be committed
return for party services.
Whilst the ancient and familiar mode Of keeping
the pubic money is recommended by CO isiderations
of economy and security, IT is not less so, for the
important reason that II avoids the necessity of en-
larging the patronage of the Executive Let the
law perform its proper functions in designating tie
Banks 10 be- employed, in settling the conditions of
the agency aud in determining for what Irregular
ties or abuses the privilege shall be forfeited, and
there will be no for executive appointments
or the exercise ofexecutive authority. But their
agency sh all be dispensed with, troop of new Of
fcers with salaries and Influence, and the augmen-
tation of the already oyergrown influence of the
EXECUTIVES are unfavorab!e,-i respectfully submit,
that tn views furnish strong, If not decisive Oh
j,ctious to the proposed Innovation,
The general b INK Law, which Authorised
newul Of the charter OF our banks. aud addition
to their capitals, was Suspended by act of the
last Generally Assembly. The early day which
the charters OF the two principal institutions will
expire, 1912, suggests the expedeney OF consider
ing whether any, and what additional legislation il
called for by this interesting branch vi our pubic
policy NV opinions on this subject ! have had
before occasion respectfully 10 SubmIt-they re-
main unchanged.
Banks Of discount and circulation | consider
greatly useful, If not indispensable agents Ia the
actual condition OF country, ofadvantage to
ry description OF interest, aud in di.cord-
ant or at variance with the sPii and principles of
our institutions. They furnish facilities essential
TO the purchase OF our agricultural siaplrs-cOn-
tribute keep up their prce-prevcnt the ,nonopo-
by which might grow out OF large individual wealth
and enable enterprize and prudence the more readi-
iy to overcome the obstacle resulting from the want
OF large means. The additions proper to be made
the existing bank capilal. the precautions
sary prevent abuses, and he subject generally,
remain with you 10 be disposed Of as shall seem
best for the general good.
The importance of an eficien system OF educa-
ton, embracing in its comprehensive and benevo-
lent design the whole population cannot be fire.
quently required to- The obligation 60 provide
such system, is among the first duties of the Lee
gisiature. In my last annual message referred 10