Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-12-04

1.-THE Of that which would pass across our continent from
lnda-how then could the road fail pay such profit as
would amply compensate capital for its construction
We cannot misunderstood or fail to appreciate the
value of the prize and the construction fthe proposed
road to Louisville is most powerful means of securing
It to ourselves.
The legislature has been munifcent towards the city
OF alexandria, since its remuneration to the common
wealth and it is pleasing to know that this course is
equally approved by the dictates OF wisdom and of JUS
tee This liberality has expedited the completion of
that really great work. the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
as lar as cumberland, in the state OF Maryland. Upon
this canal, now nearly ready be opened presently will
De transported coal trade, inferior to none in America,
either IN inc quantities carried down upon it, in the
quality OF the mineral ITSELF Alexandra will be the chief
mart Tor It, and the commerce, hereby brought to her
wharves, Will not only resuscitate her, but must give
such impulse to all her interests fail to raise
the city to high degree prosperity and advancement
The works undertaken and proposed by her enteprsng
citizens, leading into the interior, important to her
welbeng as well that OF the country proposed to be
reached by them These works deserve the patronage
and support OF the commonwealth.
The other public works OF the state are prosecuted
generally believe, with energy, and promise much use
iulness: The Danvle railroad company is pushing on
It's work to completion with great vigo and, far as
nave been able to ascertain, on the most favorable
terms.
The subject Of reform has engaged the attention of
our clzen more or less, since the adoption OF our
present heterogeneous and unwise constitution it
ne ospfng OF exaggerated sectional Jealousy-not OF
an earnest desire reform abuses too intoerabe to be
borne L ne evident distrust OF popular authority and
contro Whch IS written upon every page OF it, has from
It's birth rendered it justly obnoxious to the people at
large 1t Is most unfortunate that greater concessions
were not made then to the exercise OF power by the peo
plea lew alterations in particulars would in all
probability have obvated the necessity of another con-
yenuon Tor halt century, Notwithstanding the inherent
defects OF the constitution. These defects render call
now inevitable and certainly nothing short of thorough
constitutional reform will satisfy the demands Of the
people The sooner this is accomplished, the better for
all the interests OF the commonwealth
The county court system, SUCH is repugnan to the
fundamental principles OF republican governmental
has high Judicial powers, has high legislative authority
the power OF taxation and of selecting and appointing
important executive officers. 1t is seltperpetuang
body responsible earthly power for its action not
even to the people whom they tax, and whose money
they expend for any purpose whatever that to them may
seem good. The practical i'll effects of the system have
been less ie by the community, because ofthe generally
highly intelligent and merorous character of the
gisraes themselves As body, the magistracy OF Vir
glnla is OF the very highest responsibility; but whilst it
affords me real pleasure to bear testimony this fact
am constrained to say that the power contided to their
hands, should be entrusted to officers directly response
Bile to the people.
But the most glaring wrong perpetrated upon the
rights and Intelligence Of the people, is to be met within
those provisions touching the right Of suffrage The rule
controlling that high privilege, now purely arbitrary
one The principle governing the right of suffrage
der the old constitution is discarded because restrict
ed-and the reason Tor it, discarded also. 1t is rule
now, without principle, and without to support it,
senseess and insulting in the distinctions which it
HioSt pclulClOuS consequences WHICH
flow, from it, The abrogaton OF this provision
OF the constitution, and the substitution of the
proper one in its stead, would, in my opinion,
we'll Justify, the expense and trouble consequent
upon the call OF convention. The ground upon which
the old constitution placed the right was distinct and
definite. 1t went upon the idea, that the owners
OF the soil should not only govern that, but should
that idea has long been exploded and it is now re-
pudlaed by the enlightened statesmen Of every state in
the Uuion
The principle of universal suffrage ought to be adopt
ed Justice requires it, and the spirit OF the age demands
1t at the hands OF the commonwealth Every free white
man, citizen OF the state twenty years of
age should be allowed to vote in the county where he
many counties be reached by man holding real
pretended title to land therein an insult to reason
and an outrage upon popular rights it is calculated to
give to the cities and towns control over the interests
OF the surrounding country. which result in nothing
but injury and discomfort This is OF the crying
evs-a nuisance rendered sacred by constitutional en-
actment which the public mind revolts at and will have
remedied.
The judiciary system needs reform; and believe
am warranted in saying, suchis the almost universal SEN
fment OF our entire population. 1t useless, however
tor me to attempt specification OF the evils which need
redress; they are quite familiar to all.
earnestly recommend that law be passed, requiring
poll 10 be opened In each county, to test the Of
the people, at the ensuing election upon the call of
convention. Ii it results in call, the succeeding e-
gislaure settle the necessary preminares for its
meeting, and, in the time the census will be taken
10 W guide you IN
deliberations.
You will, am sure, be gratilied 10 learn that the
schools and colleges generally throughout the common
wealth are IN an unprecedenedly fourshing condition
Inc University OF Virginia, so long and generously
fostered by the commonwealth, is giving most am
pile proof of the wisdom OF the policy heretofore pursued
towards it by your body. 1t is in prosperous
condition than at any previous period of its history
and bids fair to fulfil completely the objects had in view
by its ilusrous founder The annual re ports of The in
sttutlon are herewith transmitted.
The Military Institute, commenced as experiment
Dy the state, has turned out most tumphantly success
Jul, and Is exhibiting capacities tor usefulness certainly
and scarcely equaed by any other system
OF education known amongst us. The spirit OF reckless
SO common other colleges and by
thopghtess young men often considered grace rather
than reproach, at this institution is unknown The mi
litary feature OF the school works like charm and the
point Of honor with the student is subordnaon to the
laws and obedience to discipline. Habits OF regularity
system and order are acquired here, which be of
advantage throughout all after life to the
graduate.
think the public interest would be greatly advanced
by an enlargement OF the of accommodation for
students and by the endowment OF additional professor
ships; and am persuaded that the appointment OF
competent professor OF agricultural chemistry in this in
stituon, and in the University, would confer lasting
and invaluable benefits upon the state at large. here
with transmit to you letter from Col Smith, the able
and efficient principal OF the Military Institute relative
to this proessorshp, and the proprety of establishing
farm in connection with the school. The suggestions
are OF the highest interest to the state, and deserve to
be adopted.
| also invite your attention to the Medical College |
ocated in the City Of Richmond. This institution was
ounded by individual enterprise, and has been almost
wholly sustained by its professors The general assem-
bly, granted it loans from the Literary fund.- amounting
$25 0OO to defray the expense OF erecting the college
dce, but required interest upon these loans be paid
~ the faculty. They have regularly complied with the
equistion good faith although has cost them, to do
his and to meet other necessities OF the institution since
establishment hall OF their entire professional fees
By such efforts OF its professors the institution has secured
firm place in The public confidence and respect, and
cached high degree of prosperity, The number of
udents isnow larger than ever before and there good
eason to anticipate continued and increasing success in
he future
The subject Of medical education is of great econom
cal interest to the state appears from document No.
81 OF the last legislature that the aggregate expenditure
broad Of Virginia students for this species of education,
Turing the last forty years, has been some S3Ooo0oo
Exclusive of interest From satisfactory sources OF in
ormation it has been ascertaned that the number of
medical students from this state, who attended lectures
abroad during the last winter, not less than 225
who carried with them and expended in other states at
east 100000 tsa also fact that two-sevenlhs OF the
natio OIL in