Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1848-12-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


We subjoin few extracts from the document
from them the reader will be enabled to Judge O
the character of the whole. A more disgusting
batch Of Demagogueism, could hardly be com
pressed into the same number Of sentences
though the message is by no means cemmenda
able for its breyity. In addition to the recon.
mendations contained in our extracts, the Gov.
ernor recommends an alteration Of the Bank
charters Of the State, so as to confer upon thu
Executive power to appoint majority Of The Di.
rectors. This would have the the way to bear.
tiful system Of corruption Of course no existing
Bank would acceptsuch acharter, and the prae tea
effect Of such measure would be the establish.
ment Of a Government Bank to all ntents aud
purposes. Well done Extra! Bravo progress.
siye Democrat After all your hyppocrtieal
affectation Of holy horror of United States
Bank, here is sneaking proposition to estab
lish Government Bank.
The Governor proposes, moreover, to reform
the Judiciary by the establishment Of the "vota-
ny system" which would require the Judges Of
the General Court to visit the circuits Of their
respective Districts in prescribed rotation,
thus preventing the Court Of any County from
being holden BY the same Judge twice in the
same year. The Governor sagely informs the
Legislature that, Judges are men, scih all their
passions and iafrmitiesifi We have copied
the Governors views in relation to reform or
the County Court System. 1t will at least
smuse our readers.
Little space is devoted to the condition Of the
benevolent institutions which reflect SO much
honor on the State, and which is naturally q
subject Of deep interest to the people Of Virgin
ia. The recommendation Of the expulsion Of
the Free Negroes from the State is renewed.
Two recommendations Of the Governor merit
the serious attention of the Legislature. The
reform Of the present ridiculous Militia System,
and the increase Of the Governors salary which
is inadequate.
10 The General assembly Of Yirgiaia
Genilemen,-In my last annual message inform
ed you that the balance in the Treasury on the 3Oh
September le47, available for the uses Of the then
existing fiscal year. was Sl27, ll402 and tina, there
would be probably in The Treasury the FIRST day Of
October lo4S, the sum OF Mas 900; but, as will be
seen from the Treasurer's report the actual balance
IS oaly 3l04, 2jt ST. This apparent deficiency, how
ever. does not actually exist there being in the hands
OF the various State agencies connected with our IN
ternal Improvements about $4,000; while the paw
menis from the Treasury 10 roads authorised by the
last Assembly are larger than in the year preceding
In TACT our State IS steadily improving in population
and wealth. our revenue having been increased about
hve per cent within the past year, not by increase
10 the rate OF axaton but BY an increase 10 the nun
Der of subjects upon which i, has been assessed.
herewith communicate table prepared in the First
AUDITORS Office, illustrating this pleasant and acreea-
Die fact, in which the number Of almost every subject
Of taxation, aud the amounts collected each for the
three last years will appear. See table A In fur
Their illustration Of these CONCLUSIONS herewith com
muncaie the First Auditors annual report, together
with tabular statement ofpopulaton. &c.; and also
the Tressufer's annual report
This condition Of our reyenue highly gratifying as
il mus. be 10 every vgnan. will not enable US. with
out some new provisions of law, to meet the heavy
liabilities which have been authorized by the General
Assembly at their two last sessions. The General
Assembly, al its session OF 1867, authorized abili
ties 10 the amount OF $5SS7 500; Of which. up the
LIST day Of October last, $780, 56 cents was paid.
OF the remainder, il is highly probable that about
$26l 6OO will not be required; S744, 900 Of the loan
10 the James River Company provided for leaving
81 ,O327 Ito Al OF those appropriations for which pro-
vision must be made al an early day. Al your last
session various acls were passed authorizing liabilities
the amount OF 81 908 $50. Ofhs, about 81 40 600
has been paid. and upwards OF 100000 will certain
" be required. OF the residue, amounting TO about
81 800, 600. il is highly probable nothing will be call
ed for except the appropriations 10 the New Shenan
doah Company. and the Alexandria aud Orange rail-
road company, two improvements oil great importance
TO the country through which they pass and to one
OF our princpalaowns So thats the almost certain de-
Inands upon the treasury, under the various laws OF
your two last sessions will amount to not less than
81 100000 exclusive Of the loan 10 the James River
aud kanawha company Of which large sum about
1850.
How is this very considerable amour, 70 be obtain
ed The law now directs il 70 be raised by loans ;
but am satisfied that cannot rely Upon that inca rs
alone, punctualy to meet our engagements. |, is 10
be remembered that State bonds. TO the amount OF A.
bout $S0Os000, have been sold in this market during
the two years preceding the LIST day Of October last
that tae james River and Kanawha, and other com,
panies, now hold for sale, bonds 10 the amount OF
1928 900; and that the James river and Kanawha
Company have now right 10 demand. and will nave
al different periods before the first day Of Janua-
ry lS49, state bonds the aggregate amount Of 4744
600; all of which will seek market. In the face oil
this early demand upon the surplus capital of cit
liens by companies actively engaged in prosecuting
their works. can II be prudent TO rely upon loans only
10 meet our State engagements? To 10 so, and ac.
lively press the sale OF State bonds, might not on
ly impair unsuied credit, but seriously iniurs
companies we have undertaken TO aid. Much Ihs
larger portion OF our State bonds is held by our own
citizens, and nearly all the investments therein
have been made BY them; and il is OF great Import
ance 10 our prosperity thai this policy should be en-
Outraged, which in way be so efeciuay dom
as BY keeping the supply short Of the demand; thu
giving assurance 10 these who invest in our stock
that il will depreciate. DO not think that we cal
safely rely upon loans for than $500 900 per
num--he Treasury spare, for the uses Of the
year, about 500, 900, and can other resources
but taxation, or the sale Of bank stock, when
made par, foi the residue amounting 10 about 81 so.
| 600. Our bank stocks are now in fine credit, an
producing handsome dividends; and deem il indis
pensabe 10 the proper support OF eur State credit, lha
The Second Audor should be clothed with the powe