Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-10


cal students from this state, who attended lectures
abroad during the last winter, was not less than
225, who carried with them and expended in 9th
er states at least 100000 Its also fact that
two seventies of the lnalTiculations from other
states than Pennsylvania, in the two leading
medical colleges of Philadelphia, last winter, were
students from this Commonwealth. liberal
policy on your part towards medical institution
at home, combining as many advantages as the
college in Richmond, would do much to check this
disposition of our young men TO 60 abroad at such
an annual tax upon the resources of the state, and
would result, as the liberal policy CT the leglsa-
ture towards the University of Virginia has re-
sultod in building up fourishing institution at
home, which will not only attract the great ma
jority Of Virginia students, but large numbers OF
young men from other states, to its halls.
10 relieve the faculty of this institution from
paying the interest now required of them, would
relieve them of a burden which greatly depresses
their energies and hangs heavily upon the pros
perity of their college. think the measure would
advance the interests ofmedical science in Virgin
ia, and be an act of justice and wise liberaty to-
wards the professors of that institution. ! recosn-
mend it therefore tc your favorable consideration
1t affords me great pleasure to assure you of an
improvement in the agricultural condition Of the
commonwealth generally. The energy, industry
and intellect OF large pOrtlOn OF OUT pest CllzetiS
have been devoted with assiduity for some years
past to this ennobling pursuit. The consequence
Of course is, not only rapid advancement iii the
profits of the state at large from that source, but
very highly improved appearance in the face of the
country itself. lis worthy Of remark, that whilst
Virginia has extended, with great beraiity, as
sistancs to education and works of Improvement
she has never given 10 agriculture any encourage
ment whatever. This is the more surprising when
reflect that upon this great pursuit rest all the
interests of society. Let agriculture flourish and
prosper, and no occupation Of society will fail to
thrive There have been at all times, too, in the
legislature, a large number of members engaged in
& identified with agriculture; but, up to this time
they haze been content to labor for other interests
thought TO be of more pressing importance, and to
postpone, with liberal disinterestedness, that
which pertained more particularly 10 their own
pursuits Ir there is in the commonwealth a pnr-
suit which deserves encouragement from the legis
lature, undoubtedly it is agriculture Iryou take
the planters, graZers and farmers of Virginia to-
gether. they constitute body unsurpassed for all
the qualities of intellect and character that adorn
people: and, if some means were adopted by the
legislature to concentrate their efforts for the adj
vancement of their occupation, very little time
only would be required to improve the agriculture
of the state TO its highest pitch -.
A bill ofthe last session, providing for the ap-
pointment of an agricultural chemist for the state,
was one of great merit, and calculated to promote
sage OF the first Importance - -
/ would also recommend 10 the favorable con-
sderaton Of the legislature, tue propriety Of APP
propyisting annually Such sums Of money as may
be necessary to sustain properly organized state
agricultural society. This course has been pur-
sued by several states Of the North, and in every
case with beneficial results The annual appro-
priations of New York for this purpose amount to
about $4,000; and. as far as can learn, have given
the greatest impetus to agricultural prosperity in
all It's branches
You viii perceive from the report of the superin-
tendent fthe penitentiary. that this institution
continues 10 be PROSPEROUS and useful. The order
and system, which characterize its management,
ensure strict discipline and as large profit as can
he derived from prison labor concur fully in
the suggestion o the superintendent touching the
minimum term of Imprisonment. One year is
wholly Inadequate for any beneficial effect upon
the prisoner : the term is too short to acqaiic any
knowledge vtaieyer of trade, whilst the degla
dalton and disgrace are as great as for the longest
period OF confinement The labor of The convict
Tor so short period will be wholly unproductve
70 the state and the term of dscipjine too short for
even hone of reformation. The TRANSFORMATION o!
the offenders from the remote parts Of the com.
,nonvyeafth will be serious item OF additional eX-
pense am satisfied that the minmum period Of
punishment in the penentialy should not be less
than years. it gives time to acquire some knowl-
edge Of trade, whilst the discipline for that length
crimes Of less magnitude than those deserving this
length Of confinement, imprisonment in the county
ial, aud the infection of corporal punishment
would seem to satisfy the ends OF justice
i also Transmit to you a report Of the adjutant
general, relative to the condition Of the volunteer
Companies in the state. The views it embraces,
recommend to your particular attention.
demonstrated the utility and efficiency Of this de-
serip,iou of troops even in an army Of invasion
scarcely, fiat all, inferior to regular troops Yl
ginia possesses peculiar advantages, growing out
Of the system Of education at her military institute
for rendering this arm of the militia perfectly eff
fectiye. The encouragement of volunteer compa-
MES in the large towns and cities of the common
wealth, is most obviously proper, and to this end
it is very desirable that the men should be exempt
ed from service upon juries The tax in time and
money. necessarily imposed Gpon the members of
volunteer Companies, is very onerous; and, when
augmented by the probable call to serve in the
jury box. is rendered indispensable TO men who
depend upon their personal exertions for their live
lihood TO relieve them from this duty would be
source Of great encouragement to the volunteer
system, ard therefore recommend it to the legs-