Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-01-13


Il will doubtless be gratifying to you to learn that
the higher schools aud colleges Throughout the com
nlonwealth are In prosperous and improving c0ndi-
ton.
transmit herewl the annual reports of the rector
and visitors Of the University, and of the board OF
visitors of the Virginia military institute which rep
resent these Institutions 10 be in very Gourshins
condition. and ask for them your respectful cousde.
ration Provision has heretofore been made for the
maintenance and education, in each Of these insiu.
uons, ot one young man from each senatorial district
In The state. The number of districts having been
increased, might be we'll consider whether pro-
vision should not be made for the accommodation
and the Necessary means provided for the suppor of
Proporonabe increase in the number thus 10 be edu-
Gated; and beg leave to call your earliest attention
TO the subject.
The annual reports of the board of visitors of the
deaf, dumb and blind institution, of the Eastern and
western lunatc asylums, and OF the aduant genera
are herewith submitted for your favorable notice.
The bank returns herewith communicated, exhibit
sound and healthy condition of these institutions.
The annual report on the penltentiary exhibits the
manufacturing operations profitable to the state
The balance on manufacturing account was Sc O76
II, and alter deducting the commissions OF the agent
and expenses OF the store. (S3676 49, the nett ba
lance 81 500 81. The profits, however have fall
len off, and the agent able only pay $4,000 into
the treasury The dimunon of profit within the last
two years Ia attributed to the changes made in the
criminal law in 1873. Previous TO the revssl of that
year persons were confined in the penitentary for
less than three years, and consequently able to
make their labor useful to the establishment Under the
new law rs per cent of the prisoners are sentenced
for year, so per cent for less than three. The
average number received IN the last five years. under
rlaws was a. annually, while under the present
code the number has run up to 81, and the actual
rage to 90, being increase OF thirty per cent in
three wears. 1t is believed by the superintendent,
from these facts, that crime 10 increasing under the
existing laws that short imprsonments are less eec-
tive, and the labor Of iae prisoners less profitable
Examples are given OF the increase of imprisonment
from 1872 to 1873 OF l00 per cent, while similar pun
ishments prevailed, and afterwards, when the policy
was changed, imprlsonments diminished forty-one
per cent. up to lS47. 1t appears Also that in Eve
and half years, from 1916 to 1921 the clear loss
on manufacturing account amounted to SO S43 95
per annum while in five years. from 1874 to lS49 the
clear gain 1880 a. In the last two years. un.
der the new law, the aggregate clear gain was only
S795 30, The board OF directors and superintendent
thereof concur in recommending an increase n the
minimum terms OF confinement as the best remedy -
While the moral effect upon the community and the
reformation OF offenders the first great objects of
| the system, proper economy should be consulted |;
and il the punishment csn be adjusted attain the
first great objects and refund the expenses OF the estab
lshment, the public interest will be dsuby promoted.
The increased numbers OF our free colored popua.
| ton, as exhibited by the late census, is conclusive
proof that the legislation OF our in relation tn
unfortunate and anomalous class, though dictaedat
the soundest principles of philanthropy, has failed
| its obiect and unless policy, more energetic ais
efficient in its operation be Gavised it is feared tho
this population, which has already grown to be an ey
will increase Whilst the census of 1850 shews that
ths increase of our white population, during the ten
years preceding was 81 per cent and that oil our slaves
was 81 per cent, it exhibits the startling fact that our
free colored population during the PERIOD had in
creased at the rate OF per centand that too du.
ring the operation OF those laws which were de signed
to rid of this Improbable class OF oar people To
drive them from the state by law, without assistance
| or providing them home, would be oppressiye and
hersh and yet 10 permit the evil TO grow still srea tel
is forbidden well by considerations OF humanity os
is contrary to the dlstates OF wisdom and sound poll.
cy.
This question deemed of sufficient importance
to make the subject of constitutional action bu il
is obvious tina, further legislation is necessary and
beg leave, therefore, respectfully TO bring it 10 your
attention. and ask Tor it, it deserves your most scr-
GUS consideration.
The State credit susualy good and no diff Guilty
which has not been overcome, has been encountered
in procuring money carry on the extensive mproye.
ments in progress. Nor s any such Difficulty apnre.
hended in the future State bonds are now selling at
the treasury Tor premium oil three per cent, and in the
other money markets OF the country at higher
price. The rise in the price OF state Stocks during the
past year, may be attributed to the wise provisions in
the new consultation, tending to proven in the future
rash and lavish appropriations OF money to be raised by
loans, and Tor sinking land 10 exngush in short
PERIOD the existing debt. we'll to the change au-
horized by law in the form of Inc bonds and in the
place Tor the payment Of the interest thereon Until
last winter state stocks registered in the second audi.
tors Office and transferable the books thereof by the
person by whom it issued, or his attorney only
could be sold nor could the interest on such stock be
paid elsewhere in the United States than at the state
treasury. The coupon bonds authorized to be issued
by the General Assembly, at its last session. being
transferable by delivery only were better suited to the
money makes oil the United States and TO CONNER
ciaI communities generally. This change in the form
OF the bond and the power to agree pay the interest
on it anywhere. enabled the Board of public works TO
make sale OF these stocks beyond the limits otthe COM
monwealth.
The actual debt of The state was on the LIST of Janu
AIRY 1852, abou O3S shis debt under The ope
ration OF the provisions OF the constitution in relation
to the sinking fund.- will be extngu shed in about thir.
ty-three years and any debts contracted alter
the first day Of January 1852 under the same DIVISIONS
of the constitution, will be paid at the end of thirty
four years from the creation thereof The exertions 10
be made Tor the purpose OF paying The existing and u-
ture debts will be doubtless felt very sensiby by the
country. The revenue raised by taxation must need
be increased at least so per cent, unless the inter-
Improvements oil the s'ate OF which the is either
the part sole owner, be made much more produc.
tive they have heretofore BEEN That the internal
Improvements OF the state may be made more profita.
BILE by judicous appropriations thereto, either lor the
completion Of those that unfinished or for tho emo-
val of other embarrassmens thereof, and by better
management OF these Improvements, | cannot doubt.
As is the will OF the people of Virginia thar the state
debt shall be paid and that speedily, surely the inter-
nal Improvements OF the stale to make which the debt
was chiefly contracted, should be made pay as much
thereof well as the current interest thereon as may
be. And must say in this connection, that think
appropriations, at this time to internal improvements
which will not in all probability become dividend pay
ing improvements, are not advisable The state OF Vir-
gina owns at this time $7,256,4l6 10 of productive
and 49, 10Y 500 03 OF unproductive stocks AS before
indicated, this last class Of stocks ought not at this
time to be increased 1t is worthy OF remark here, that
the dividends and interest the productive funds with
the addition OF the bonus bank capital estimated
in the accompanying report of the second auditor, TO
yield S54O, 1856 371a sum equivalent to per on
nine millions OF dollars
1t appears from the first auditors estimates that
the deficiency OF the the end of this fiscal
year will be $5lS,Sll 90, if seven per cent. on the
debt contracted and to be contracted prior the LIST
day OF July next be set apart out oil tie revenue of
this fiscal year this deficiency will have 10 be thrown
upon the revenues OF future years. 1t the general
sembly, howeyer-and think 1t will be wise and con-
stu,ional to do sopay only the interest of
the year. as heretofore, and satisfy the further requ
stons oil the constitution as to sinking fund out of
the revenues OF 1928 which will come into the
treasury in December next, then the deficiency at
the treasury, the first day of October next, will
only be 1921 1852 So and tax. which will bring in
a revenue TO the wants Of the government, under the
new constitutions be devised this session of the
general assembly.
The subject OF Internal improvement, which for ma
ny years has engaged Tie attention of our
people, is rapidly increasing in interest and importance
and will require your most serious and careful consd