Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1849-12-18
THE REGISTER.
ShepherdstOwn, Jefferson County, va.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER Is, 1919.
Governor FIOyd'S Message.

UUltlIUl lUNu y 4hNSSuSS
1t does not s it our purpose, at IeaStior
the present, to publish lengthy Executive
documents neither do we mean to pass
them altogether by without notice. The
first Message of the present Governor OF
Virginia to the Legislature is document,
that, in the existing condition of State and
National affairs ought to have more rres-
tige than we fear will be anywhere ac-
corded to it. This arises, in great mea-
sure, from the way in which these off,
GERS are too generally placed in power
They are looked upon, and not unjustIy,
as little more than the appointees OF party,
and hence they carry scarcely any lnflu-
ence derived from personal distinction for
talents, services or virtues.
In the present Message we find some
things to approve, and to approve warm
w. whilst there is not a little that meets
our disapprobation. In particular we
would characterize the statement of our
financial affairs as meagre and unsatlstac-
tory, not to say delusive. We are not
disposed to suspicion, and yet the thought
forces itself that in the first paragraph
there is an almost studied attempt TO hood
wink the people of Virginia in the matter
of their public debt. We are first told
that there is d debt of some u millions,
but that this could be paid Oft at once
within an insignificant amount by par
sale of the stocks owned by the State, II
so wished. Now who does not see that
such an attempt by the State would have
most injurious effect upon these stocks,
even if the market were able to bear SO
large glut of one particular kind of pro-
perty. The remark of the Governor we
therefore look upon as lacking IN that
candour and directness which we have a
right to demand in such communications
After having set down in all particulars
ty the precise "amount of the public debt
at 1854 1894" the Governor, as if sud
denly recoIecting himself, finds chow
ever, an additional sum of 6 millions,
which he gives in round numbers, anc
AYERS, to be drawable. at the creditors will
from the public treasury. Thus the deb
instead OFFS millions really approximates
IA millions and we confess we shoulc
have liked to see it so stated in the mes
sage in plain unvarnished terms. AnC
now that this corrected statement is pro
nounced to shew the precise condition o.
our condition of our financial situation
would the reader believe that there is ;
third modification a.!
Besides the actual public debt, the State
has become responsible to the creditors o
certain incorporated companies, and il
case of their failure must shoulder thei
liabilities. The Governor says that some
/, "have regarded this securityship as /;
{ part of the public debt" though he hold.
their opinion to be unQuestionably'
wrong. We fear we cannot coincide will
the Governor in this view, notwithstand
ing his strong expression, for it Is not thu
| fast time that an Executive in a first al
t dress has pronounced that to be " unques
! tionable" which he was afterwards yer,
anxious to behold in a totally opposite
light.
1t requires no dialectics to shew tina
whatever the State Of Virginia has qua
ranteed, has become a contingent debt
and TO view ii in any other light is mari
of weak judgment. Let the State interes
in these incorporated companies cease t
: be viewed Alright, and door is opened t
all sorts of lax administration, thriftless
ness, and peculation. The conclusion t
i be drawn from the message is this, .hs
the State Of Virginia owes a certain del
o Of some ii millions, and a possible del
of several millions more> It becomes tn
:, Legislature TO investigate the true state {
n affairs, and at an early day to place fuci
j. and faithful account before the public eye