Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-12-16
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


z
happiness Of our beloved Commonwealth.
II is with unalloyed satisfaction that am
able to congratulate you upon the suspicious
circumstances under which we commence the
pleasant vet important duty. We are blessed
with unusual health cur granaries were emp
tied during the past year 10 feed the starving
millions offoregn lands, bot have been again
replenished by our recent abundant harvests
our revenues are ample; our laws are firmly
vet quietly enforced; our industry is increas-
ing her stores, and improving the whole as
pect Of our State and all he arts and comforts
Of civilized life are multiegiug among every
class and condition OF the people. Ii is under
such circumstances that you commence your
career of official duty--circumstances well
calculated stimulate your exertions, and 10 fill
your hearts with cheerfulness and hope.
On the LIST day Of October, 1916, the bal
ance 10 the treasury was Sl37 ,433. After
meeting all demands upon the treasury, many
of which were entirely contingent IN charac-
ter and Of large amount, there was in the
treasury at the close of the last fiscal year, the
sum of $l27 ia OF. This sum and the or.
binary receipts into the treasury during the
present fiscal year, will pay all ordinary de-
mand thereon, including 1914 .343 rs, the in
count Of the Southwestern and other public
roads, and still leave an estimated surplus Of
about Sl45, 200, a sum which il is presumed,
when appropriated, will enable the board OF
Public Works to meet all demands upon them
during the present fiscal year, without resort
ing 10 loans-a resort TO which cannot be too
cautiously made especially as large issue Of
State bonds was directed bv the last Legisla-
ture 10 be made TO the Alexandra Canal COM
pany, and TO the James River and Kanawha
company.
The Legislature at their last session passed
acts which may increase the Liabilities of the
State in the sum Of s., Ss7 800. Ofthis sum,
about one fifth has been. and very large por-
ton of the residue will have to be incurred.
In addition 10 this large amount, there was
paid from the treasury during the past fiscal
year SIS, GA 81, and there will be paid during
the present one, under appropriations hereto
fore made, the sum of S95,3Sl 81, for and on
account OF roads and bridges, In this con-
nection | respectfully refer you TO the second
auditors report, IN which you may al glance
see the amount of our existing and Prospec-
tive liabiliies.-When TO these shall be added
those which you may direct at your present
session, it is manifest that's moderate enlarge
ment of our revenue may be necessary TO
maintain our public credit in that high eslima-
ton in which il has for years been held
II has long been moeted point whether
the living generation has a right 10 create a
debt aud leave il TO rosp si.y Tor payment
| However this right may have been question
ed, il has ever been exercised; and certainly
| objections ran be urged with less force To- that
debt which may be incurred for internal I'M
provement than TO any other in the whole list
of public expenditure. Debts thus created and
invested, enhance the value of properly
They are expended without change and con-
fer lasting and perennial benefit on those
who succeed us. STILL the disposition to
spend when we do not expect 10 pay. is so
striking a characteristic in man, that hold il
10 be our duty TO interpose safe and healthy
restraints TO control ii.
England, after repeated but partial acts of
reputation, is now groaning under an enor-
nous debt of about four thousand millions OF
dollars. France owes about one thousand
million and Austria, deeply embarrassed, in
1911 repudiated and expunged 100000, 900
of her debt, and in 1918, SI50.000,000 more
of it.-Although nothing exists M the history
of our Union, or Of any Of the members there
OF, at all approaching, even by comparison,
this slupendous and mischievous prodgality,
vet enough has occurred 10 impress upon us
the duty of observing the most guarded cir
cumspection and care.
|, may safely be assumed as the fixed de-
termination Of Virginia, 10 carry on those i'm
provements which are requisite to develope
and secure the resources and advantages for
which she is so remarkably distinguished. 1t
is policy emInently patriotic and wise, and
addresses itself with force not TO be resisted
TO that pride and affection which we all feel
for our native land, and which induce us TO
look forward with anxiety and hope, TO that
day when Virginia will be as physically great,
as she is now Ilustrious for all the high moral
and intellectual qualities which elevate and
adorn our race.
In support Of these views regard il as of
the greatest importance that you should estab-
lish, at an early day of your session, maxi
mum annual limit OF expenditure, by which
the second auditor shall be regulated and con-
trolled, and which your appropriations shall,
under no circumstances, transcend. Such
regulation would satisfy the prudent and tim
id friends of internal improvement, silence
some heretofore opposed 10 il, add give conf
dence 10 all am aware that the regulation
suggested will not impose legal restraint,
even upon yourselves, and of course not upon
your successors; but am fully satisfied that
the high moral obligation it will create, will
command general respect and ensure for il a
scrupulous and honorable observance.
What is the limit we shall prescribe, which
will neither unreasonaby burden ourselves
nor our posterity, and yet accomplish within
reasonable time the great enterprises we have
in view?
have given TO this subject the most care
full consideration, and have attained the con-
clusion that we can and ought annually 10
expend, within the views | have presented,
the sum Of six hundred thousand dollers.
| look ,o-ihe treasury for one moiety and TO
loans for the other moieiy Of this amount.
The treasury can be easily put into condi.
ton to meet this demand. AS have before
stated The probable surplus in the treasury on
the lst of October next. will be Sl45, 700, and
but for the appropriation to the Southwestern
road and other roads and bridges, il would be
upwards of $2i0.000. leaving only the sum of
$50, 900 to be provided by new and additional
taxation. This sum, so inconsiderable in
amount, and for an object so laudable and
patriotic, would Cor much mistake my fell
low citizeus,) be paid without murmur.
For the subjects from which, principally, |
recommend this tax TO be collected, Il refer you
10 my former message. OF all Iheforms OF
property, money inactive and on hand is least
entitled 20 favor, and will, trust be no longer
exempt from fair and equal contributions to
tho State Tho hiph credit of EirUin,a both