Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-14

Delegates -
l welcome the general assembly to this
city, and earnestly invoke their co-opera-
tion in doing everything that may be cal
culated 10 elevate the character, develop
the resources and promote the interests of
the commonwealth.
The circumstances that surround US.
both state and national. are peculiarly
gratifying. Every class of productive in
dustry is prosperous, and our citizens are
contented and happy. For these con-
tinued blessings, we should be grateful to
an ever kind Providence. as becomes the
most highly favored people upon earth.-
Under such auspices, am pleased to meet
YOU aud in compliance and in with an
Injunction of the constitution, communi-
cate the condition of the commonwealth,
and Recommend such measures as in my
judgement are calculated to promote her
permanent interest.
The new constitution which it was the
privilege of your immediate predecessors
to put into practical operation, may, l
think, after a trial of nearly two years,
be regarded as judicious and successful
experiment. Doubtless, time and expe-
rience will prove that it has imperfections;
but if the hopes of the most sanguine
have not been fully realized, the fears of
the most timid have certainly been dissi-
pated, and confidence has taken the place
of doubt aud distrust. The new and i'm.
portant feature Of our organic law, which
conferred upon the people the election of
the judicairY, more particularly excited the
appreheusions Of many of our most en-
lightened and patriotic citizens. The lis.
L. IL. h.
been chosen to compose that branch OF
the government. have given ample evi.
dencc of the fidelity with which the peo-
pie have performed this new duty aud
if this may be regarded as Il test OF the
intelligence and fidelity with which the
voters of this commonwealth are capable
of exercising the elective franchise, all
apprehension from the extensions of this
privilege may be dismissed, l am glad
TO be able. therefore. to inform you, that
though some of its provisions might be
improved. and, by judicious legislation.
more efficiency given to others, our con-
stitution has worked well. given satisfac-
ton to the people, and bids fair to fulfill
the reasonable expectations of the pub
lie.
The last session of the general assem-
bly, was distinguished for the Importance
of It's measures. The change of our con-
stitution rendered necessary a rccogniaa-
tion Of almost our entire domestic policy.
Much new Legislation was. therefore, ne
cessary, and many of their acts could but
be regarded as experiments, to be appro.
we'd. altered or repealed, as your wisdom
assisted by the ght of experiment may
dictate. Coming. as you do. fresh from
your constituents, where these measures
have been discussed, and their practical
operation has been felt. you are peculiar
ly qualified to judge of their merits, and
to remedy the evil. where any exists. 1.
therefore, ask for them your early atten-
tion.
In examining into the finances OF the
state, it is.gratIfying to find them in
prosperous condition. 1t is true, that
considerable addition to our debt has been
made during the past fiscal year, the lia-
bilities incurred under various laws will
be still further increased. But when we
reflect that the constitution requires the
legislature to set apart fund for the re-
demption of the debt existing on the Ist
of January 1859, and provides that no
new debt shall be created, unless g SINH
lar fund be created for the payment of the
principal within thirty-four years, we may
safely infer that the people will not per-
NIT liabilities to be incurred which cannot
be liquldated by such taxation as thew
might be willing to bear The present
rate OF tax, with the productive stocks
held by the state, will be found suffiici-
ent to meet all her engagements orJ NJ
expedent appropriations will be deemed
extravagaut or wasteful which will he
met by taxation, against which there ;s
no word of murmur. But the truth ;s
there is no necessity TO provide for. the
payment of the interest on a large portion
OF the commemorative debt. A consid.
erablespart oft yields antinterest eouiva-
lent to that to be paid and then the prem;.
ums received upon the loans effected con-
stitue no small item in reducing the
amount to be raised for the interest.
considerable portion of the debt was in
CURED for subscriptions to various banks
TO put them in operation, or to increase
their capitals. The commonwealth received
from the banks, for the money subscribed,
IG GGr'lncGtes of stock at their par value
PoH 'nese certificates she is receiving
uNtuenuS more than equal to eight per
cent for besides the d;v;dorJ. JoaI.PI FL
sue receives the bonus exacted for the pri
Vilege OF banking and tax upon the divi-
dends to stockholders other than th,' 60
Inc value OF this stock is much moro ,bo,
equivalent to the debt incurred E.sh