Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-17

|" not recommended by considerations
OF economy, tbes0<curiiy Of the public
Money. or the iessening Of executive pa.
.ronase. Nay. IL is obnoxious 10 the OBJ.
lec'iou. that the expenses Of the govern
ment would be thereby increased, the
public money rendered less secure. and
the patronage Of the Executive greatly
auf meuted.
when the public money 10 placed in
Banks to the credi. Of the government or
It's agents, II 10 attended by no charge
and there - no other risk than the insol-
vency oil the corporations, which, with or
binary c'rcumspection, in selecting the
repositories. IL risk 1t all. 10 one which
our most prudent citizens do not hesi,ate
TO incur IN the management OF their own
Affairs. On the other hand, public money
IN the custody Of government agents mus,
be always insecure, and no severity Of
penal ensctments against defaulters will
be likely materially TO diminish the hazard.
IL, indeed. in the selection Of public a.
gents. the appointing power was secure \.
gsinst misrepresentation and in,ere.,.J an.
plications, there would be no difficulty ia
nnding IN any part Of our country compe-
tent and faithful officers: but that 10 not
10 be expected. and there will always be
DANGER that responsible trusts may be com.
mitted to individuals who have been led
10 expect them IN return for party services.
Whilst the ancient and familiar mode
OF keeping the public money is recon-
mended by considerations Cf economy
and security. il is not less so. for the i'm
Por'snt reason that IL avoids the necessity
OF enlarging the patronage Of The Exc.
cutive. Let the law perform its proper
functions in designating the Banks to be
employed, in settling the conditions Of
The agency, and in determining for what
irregularities or abuses the privilege shall
be forfeited. and there will be no occasion
Tor executive appointments or the execu.
tive authority. But il their agency shall
be dispensed with, troop Of new officers,
with salaries and influence, and the aug
nentaiion Of the already overgrown in
huence Of the executive are unavoi dablc.
IL respectfully submit. that these views
furnish strong. IL not decisive objections
to the proposed innovations.
The general Bank Law. which author
lied renewal Of the charter OF our banks.
and an addition 10 their capitals, was sus-
pended by m act of the last General As
semhly. Tie early day ut which The
charters Of the two principal institutions
will expire. 1912. suggests the expediency
OF considering whether any. and what
additional legislation is called for by this
interesting branch Of our public policy.
Myopinions on this subject have had be-
fore occasion respectfully to submit-they
remain unchanged.
| Banks OF discount and circulation |
consider greatly useful. if not in6ispensa-
bic agents In the actual condition Of our
country. Of advantage TO every descrip-
i ton OF interests. and in no sense discord-
ant or al variance with the spirit and pTin-
eiples oil our institutions. They furnish
facilities essential 10 the purchase OF our
agricultural sisples-contribute to keep
up their price-prevent the monopoly
which might grow out Of large individual
wealth. and enable enterprise and pru-
dence the more readily TO overcome the
obstacle resulting from the want Of large
means. The additions proper 10 be made
TO the existing bank capitals. the precaa-
lions necessary TO prevent abuses. and
the subject generally. remain with you
10 be disposed Of rs shall seem best for the
general good.
The importance Of an Efficient system Of
educa,ion, embracing in its comprehen.
sive and benevolent design the whole po-
Polstion. cannot be too frequently ieeUrr-
ed to. The obligation TO provide such
System, 10 among the frat duties Of the
Legislature. In my last annual N esssge.
] referred 10 this interesting subject. and
deeply impressed with the urgency Of
devising some more efficient plan than
the one now in operation, venture 20 re-
commend the system Of common schools.
An interval OF about twenty years has
elapsed since the ereation OF the Literary
Fund; during which period, fory-6ve
thousand dollars annually, and, for few
years past, . much larger sum. has been
distributed among the counties 10 The pro-
portion TO their white population. The
period would appear TO be loog enough
to test the value Of the means employed
to instruct the poor in the elements Of
plain eduesiion; aud II would be crafty
ing 10 find. in the constantly increasing
proportion Of those who could read and
write 10 those who could not, evidence
Of the adaptation Of the system 10 its end.
II is 20 be regretted ibatwe are not furnish.
ed with better means than are readily ae-
eessible, 10 ascertain how fer IL has failed
10 answer the benevolent purposes Of lie
founders. The known imperfeeiiops Of
ouE sources Of information 10 this respect,
10 matter Of pablic concern, 10 which
isvits your attention. My own inquiries
have led me 10 fear that bat little has
been done towards The education Of poor
children. add ;ha, the plan which we have.
Is very defective, a. well a. imperise,iy
executed.
The statements furnished blythe clerks Of
Eve city aud Borough Courts. and ninety.
three Of the County Courts in reply 10 10 :.
quiries addressed TO them. ascertain that
Of those who applied for marriage lieen-
ees. . large number we're unsbis 20 write
their names. The years selected FOR this
inquiry we're those Of 1917. The year be.