Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-13


front on the canal Of five hundred feet running back
the river affords sufficient distance and fall to operate
the water from the canal three times before il f.
nally discmbogues into the Undoubtedly it will
command sufficient sum TO purchase eligible To-
cation and TO reconstruct the necessary establishment
with all the improvements Of modern experience. But
be your pleasure to apply the annual appropriation
for the public guard to the support of military school,
mory property will be indispensable, it being wholly
unsuited TO such design With these suggestions
pectuliy submit the subject for your consideration.
by the fourteenth section OF she act passed March
~, 1920, entitled "an act to amend tho several laws
concerning the Pcntentiary institution, il is made 'he
duty oil the executive report the general assembly,
az tach session. every case OF pardon granted by them
Although this act has been complied with in a
single instance and has consequently grown into disusc.
recent circumstances have drawn my attention to it
and IN subsequent message which shall do myself
the honor to communicate you, Twill comply with its
requirement.
The term Of the gubcrnatorial office commences at
most nconvenicnt time, in the midst of winter, the
close Of year and the beginning of anothcr and the
governor elect called upon to abandon his private a
fairs and speed with all diligence TO the Of govern
mcnt, that he may commence at the proper time his Of
hcial career The removal Of his family is Impractical
bic, not only from want of time but from the natural in
clcmency of the weather and should he reside in
tor him TO receive notice Of his election and be place
at the commencement Of his official term. To obvatc
these Inconvenience, and other objections which read
~ suggest themselves; recommend that il be prov
ded by law that the gubcrnaoria term shall commence
on the first day of October next and the first day Of
the month every third year thereafter instead of
change readily present themselves, that shall
give them hcre but will remark, that the first day of
october IS the commencement of our fiscal year the
period up TO which the various state agencies di-
rectcd to make their annual reports which the term
Tor which members OF assembly elected begins, and
at wbch for the sake of uniformity alone there Guild
DO peculiar iropricty for the commencement Of the
gubcrnatorial term.
In connection with this subject, respectfully submit
or your consideration the proprcty Of increasing the
salary oil the governor AS fixed by law it is
only no equivalent for the sacrifice Of private interests
winch TINS Oiflccr must make, but INADEQUATE
the support OF the proper inequalities the government
house. You well imagine, gentlemen how mort
lying IT must be TO the man may honor with this
high office, if without private fortunc to be compelled
to decline it, or if he accept it, TO deny himself the
dcarments OF his family and the practice of that ho.p
tay so pleasant and natural every Virginan and
which our chief magistrate should take special pleasure
IN extending TO every distinguished stranger. make
these suggestions from sense Of duty TO tho
TO my successors and with the satisfaction that
hey can under no circumstances TO advantage
With these remarks couide this subject yonr pride
and sense Of Justice.
In my last annual message, informed you that the
regiment had furnished the call Of our country to
aid in the Mexican war, had not the good fortune to
win honors on the field Of battle have now TO in
form you, that this having been closed reg-
mcnt has returned homc in fine health, but little d
minshed in numbers by DEATH and with high charac
ter for soldcry efficiency have been honorably dis
charged from the public service
BY the with Mexico, which has been closed by an
honorable peace, VIC have greatly elevated the Amcr-
can name, and largely extended our federal limits
thin this acquisition is TO be found have doubt the
richest country OF the EARTH aorng every citizen
ample scope for his enterprise and industry.
But, gentlemen, regret TO see determination man.
ested in certain sections of Union exclude our
southern population from new acquisitions. am
mortified also believe that this determination is the
result In part of the conviction that will submit to
such exclusion. is my anxious desire this aucs-
tion settled during the session of congress- which
mences this day but il not, have great confidence in
the patriotism of the senate of the United States and
have strong hope from the position and character of the
oppressive policy to be consummatcd by giving his
official sanction. IT, however, the policy of exclusion
should prevail by the passage of the Wilmot proviso
any other Kindred mcasurs then indeed the day of
promise Will have past and the dissolution of great
and glorious Union will become necessary and neya-
BILE. May God in his mercy, however, pass this Gun
from our lips. In the meantime, recommend the pas
sage OF firm and temperate resolves similar in character
principle to those unanimously adopted by the gen
erai assembly on the Sth day of March, lS47.
have thus, gentlemen, presented to you my views
OF the condition of the commonwealth, aud such
sres calculated to increase her prosperity. be
fore closing my last unnual message however, must
ask your attention TO brief statement of the leading
measures that have recommend edand the principles
andf ceilings which have governed me.
In my first message, recommended the call of
state convention for the purpose of revising
constitution; but the people did not feel any
great anxiety about it, and have forborne since urge
it. My opinion however, is unchanged for am lcci-
dcdly in favour of the measure. Deeming system of
internal improve indspens able to the propcrtv
OF the state, embraced the first opportunity, earnest
~, and almost passonately, TO press it upon your at
tcntion but advised most anXously that should
select one, or at most two, great enterprises, and
cenrate our resources upon them until they should be
cpmpleteu all secondary improvements to tu-
turc day Such has been my policy in this respect,
persevcrngly enforced and checrully leave its
dom TO the test of the public Judgment Seeing in my
opinion defects in judicial system affecting serious
~ the pure sound and certain administration Of Justice
have pointed them ont repeatedly, with hope that
you might undertake their reform. Considering it i'm
porant to the Of that enterprise and
industry in which hoped state vigorously
that all the capital held by her citizens should
be liberated have recommended from time to time the
repeal of the usury laws Looking to social state
and finding that it mbraccd aud three classes
of people, each governed by different laws one Of
them the free negroes, hopcessy degraded here, i'm
pairing essentially the value of the slave and sappng
seriously the character of portion of the whites could
not see this state OF things and be scnt-and.
ngy have repeatedly recommended measures for its
improvement These, and numerous other ose
condary Importance embracing however various andm-
portant educational suggestions the by which
have proposed to improve physic social intellect
persuade myself that there not of these which,
fully carried out, would not couduce to the real pros
perity of our state.
governed, truly that the great and controlling
one has been fidelity to the high and honorable
which has been conded TO me. The various measures
which have recommended, have not in instance
been the result of selfish considerations but Of sincere
desire 10 promote the best interests Of state and
iccl that may claim this character from the public
Judgment when it is remembered, that there is scarcely
an important interest that have not at some time
Their intcrfcrcd with and opposed.
In few days, and shall be humble unit Of that
mighty aggregate which makes this great republic
With Our country at peace with all the world aud
ing IN the estimation of nations, aud already distinguish
cd as the model republic, shall leave you chcered and
animated by these suspicious circumstances the
tive performance of your patriotic duties
In the little world Of my domestic happiness and
toll TO which shall chcerully retire. shall feel many
anxiety for the wisdom and Of your measures
and shall ever cherish the passionate hope, that
bic old commonwealth may rapidly grow in riches and
in honours and that glorious Union may endure I'M
til Time himself shall be morc-esto perpet'a.
VIM. SMITH.
December 9TH, 1913.