Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-07
GOVERNCA's a SSAGg.

we are again convened 10 suggest, consider and
adopt such measures as, 10 our judgment, will
promote Inc prosperity and advance The happi-
ness OF our beloved Commonwealth.
Ii is with unaoyed satisfaction, ,hatl am able
to congratulate you upon the auspicious circum-
stances under which We commence This pleasant
yet imporan, duty. We are blessed with I'M
usual health; our sranarics were eu,ntied during
the pas, year TO iced The starving millions OF To-
reign lands but have been again rep!enished by
our recent abundant haIvests; our revenues are
ample; our laws are firmly yet quietly enforced;
our u!uslry increasing her stores, and Inn
orovins the w.Iuie aspect OF our Stale; and all
The arts and comforts OF civilized life are multi
plying among every class and condition oil The
people. Ii is under such circumstances that you
commence your career OF offi:ia duiy-circum-
stances we'll calculated 10 stimulate your exer-
lions, and 10 fill your hearts with cheeriulness
and hope.
On the lst day of October, 1876, the balance in
the Treasury was Sl37433. Alter meeting all
demands upon the Treasury, many OF which
were entirely contingent in character and OF large
amount, there was in The Treasury at the close
of the last fiscal year, the sum Of 1877, IA o.
This sum and The ordinary receipts into the Urea.
sury during the present fiscal year, will pay all
ordinary demands thereon, including 274 343 10,
the interest the public debt, 95,3Sl &c, on ac-
count Of the Southwestern and o;her pubic roads,
and still leave an estimated surplus of about l45,-
600, a sum which it is presumed, when arproprl-
ated, will enable The Board of Public Works 10
meet all demands upon Them during The present
fiscal wear, without resorting 10 loans-a resort
which cannot be too cautiously made, especially
as a Large issue OF Stale bonds was directed by
the last Legislature 10 be made 10 the Alexan.
dfa Canal Company, and 10 the James River
and kanawha Company
The Legislature at their last session passed
acls which may increase the liabilities OF The
STATE in the sum of S2SS7 800. Of this sum
about one fifth has been, and very large portion
Of the residue will have to be incurred. 10 addi-
lion TO This large amount, there was paid from The
treasury during the past fiscal year S7o6l4 "a,
and there will be paid during the present one,
under appropriations heretofore made, the sum OF
S95, 1891 81, for and on account OF roads and
bridges. In this connection respectfully refer
you 10 The second auditors report, in which you
may at glance see the amount OF our existing
and prospective liabilities. When to these shall
be added those which yon may direct al your
present session, il is manifest that moderate Ell.
largement o! our revenue may be necessary TO
maintain our public credit, in that high esiima-
lion in which it has for years been held.
II has long been a mooied point whether the
living generation has right 10 create debt and
III
right may have been questioned, it has ever been
exercised; and certainly objections can be urged
with less force 10 that debt which may be incur
red for internal Improvement than 10 any other
in the whole list Of public expenditure Debjs
thus created and invested, enhance the value Of
property. They are expended withou, charge,
and confer lasting and perennial benefit on those
who succeed US. Still, The disposition to spend
when we do not expect TO pay, is so striking a
characteristic in man. rha, hold it 10 be our du.
~ 10 in,erpose safe and healthy restraints to con-
troll il.
England, after repeated but partial acls OF rcru.
OF about four thousand millions oil dollars
France owes about one thousand millions; and
Austria, deeply embarrassed, in 1871 repu1acd
and expunged S400 .000, 600 of her debt, and in
1918 $3.50 1000, 600 more OF it. Although nothing
exists in the history Of cur Union, or OF any Of
The members thereof, al all approaching, even b.
comparison, this supendous aud nischievous
prodigality, yet enough has occurred 10 impress
upon US the duty Of observing The most guarded
circumspection and care.
II may safely be assumed as the Gxel de,ermi-
nation Of Virginia, 10 carry on those improve
menls which are requisite 10 develope and secure
Inc resources and advantages Tor which she is so
rema Ikably distinguished. Ii is policy emf
neptly patriotic and wise, and addresses itself
with force, uo 10 be resisted, 10 bal pride and
affection which We al! feel for oar native laad,
and which induce US 10 look forward with anxie;y
and hope TO that day when Wig mia will be as
physically great as she is now iIluslIouS, Tor Ill
the high, moral aud intellectual qualities which
elevate and adorn our race.
In support OF these views, regard il as Of the
greatest importance that you should establish, at
an early day OF yUu,Session, maximum annual
limit oil expenditure, by which The second auditor
shall be regulated and controlled, and which your
appropriations shall, under no circumstances
transcend. Such regulation would satisfy the
prudent and linid friends OF internal improve
menl, silence some heretofore opposed 10 il, and
give confidence loajl am aware lha,lhe resu.
ation suggested will no, impose legal restraint,
even upon yourselves, aud, OF course, not upon
Your Successors; but am fully satisfied that The
high moral obligation it will create will COM
mand general respect aud ensure for Il i Sctupu-
ious and honorable observ ance.
VIA! is the limit we shall prescribe which
will rel her unreasonably burden ourselves nor
GU: potle'i!y. and yet accomplish within rea-
snabe ,!:Ge the great enterprises we have in
N.w2
have given to This subjec, the mos; careful
consideration, and have attained The conclusion
that we can and ought annually 10 expend, with
in The ews have presented, the sum oil six
hundred thousand dollars.
look 10 the treasury for one moiety, and 10
loans for The other moieiy of this amount.
The treasury can be easily prt INTO condition
10 meet this demand. As | have before stated,
the probable surplus in the treasury ~ Inc LIST Of
October next, will be $l45000, and but for the
appropriation 10 the Southwestern road and other
roads and bridges it would b. upwards of S240 0C0
leaving only The sum Of $50 Geo TO he provided
l. I
considerable in amount and for an chjeci SO lau-
dable and pairin'ic, would Cor much mistake my
tel!ow.ci,izeus) be paid without rlurmur. For
the subjects from which, principally, l recon-
mend this tax 10 be collected, refer you 10 my
former message. Of all the forms OF properly,
money inactive and on hand, is least entitled to
favor, and will, | trusr, be no longer exempt from
fair and equal contributions 10 The Sta,e. The
high credit OF Virginia, both abroad and al home,
aud the avidity, with which investments are
sought in her bands, leave no doubt OF our ahili-
~, annually, 10 raise the sum stated, in the man.
ner have proposed. Indeed entertain but lii
tie doubt that very large portion OF the contem-
plated loans will be made by our own Citizens
OF our public debt, amounting to S6,4a7, AS CO,
the sum OF S3, 799,l69 45 Is held within our own
State, contributing by The expenditure OF The in
come thereof 10 no slight degree to our prosperity.
But il is in vain 10 provide means 10 devclopc
and secure the great advantages within oar reach,
unless We devote our resources exclusively - the
completion of one or at most two great entef-
prises. To reach the navgable waters OF The
Ohio, is an object of the first importance. |, is
the great enterprise Of several Of The Northern
States, and will when accomplished by us, en-
terrain not doubt, furnish the means 10 thorough.
jy Ienovale and improve our beloved State. !
will ask no other proof, in support OF this conclu-
sion. than The recent report Of The Baltimore aud
Ohio railroad company. BY that Iepor, It's seen
iha, the income of their road for the past year is
$l,l0l. 1886 IS; that of this sum they expended
$3.50, 822 9s, in repairs and Improvements, leav-
ing SSH, l07 60, equivalent 10 II per cent upon
the capital expended. This rosd Is only lIS
miles long, aud terminates al the foot If The Ale
ghany. Ii carried 2SS,674 passengers within the
pas, year, an increase of $40 within single
year. If such be the magnitude Of its operations
in its present unfinished stale, 1t will be difficult
10 estimate il when II shall reach The Ohio. And
yet we have a more favorable route, with the im-
mense advantage Of touching that river at more
Southern point
As 10 The route 10 be selected, that is of great