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

GERS, to have the militia. enrolled. so as
to ascertain their number and to enccu-
rage volunteer companies. fear, that
unless some alteration is made in the Law
it win destroy the organization and abo-
lish, except in the cities. all descriptions
Of force. Daily accounts have been re-
cei7ed OF the disbandment of volunteer
companies, and many of the certificates
show the election of officers by less than
a majority of their companies. Without
enlarging upon this subject, however. !
would recommend 90 your favor snd fos-
tering care, the volunteer companies, and
the adoption of such measures as will e1-
courage their establishment throughout
| the State.
The duty will doyoive upon the gene
raj assembly of supplying the vacancy in
the 7th brigade, occasioned by the resig-
nation of Brigadier General Samuel H.
Lewis.
1 again beg leave to call your attention
to the propriety of considering whether
sound policy and just regard for the e.
nances Of the State would warrant con-
tinuance Of the public guard and the pre-
sent armory establishment. Without
casting the slightest imputation upon the
officers aad corps. whose conduct and ef-
! lioiency deserve applause. could not the
properly thus employed be converted to
/ purposes which would confer far greater
| benefits upon the State, end ii much less
expense? The subject is an important
one. AMI is entitled 20 your serious consi-
deration,
Tic report of the superintendent of
public buildings asks for au appropriation
to make necessary repairs to the p:blic
property under his care.
| I submit also the reports of the weigh
master of live stock and of the superinten-
dent of weights and measures.
The bank returns herewith submitted,
exhibit those institutions in a sound and
prosperous condition. The charters of
most of these banks will expire in 1857,
and as the legislature is now restricted 10
| biennial sessions, l deem 1t more than
probable that application will be made at
your present session for renewal OF
those charters. This subject is not with
out It's difficulties; but in view of the vast
interests involved, the question had bet
ter be mec and decided promptly. II
y.e desired 10 reIrace our steps, and 10
dispense with eli banks, the experiment
could rot be made without seriously en-
| barrassing every branch of business, and
subiect;pg many ofo citizens TO heavy
loss. And while cur sister states cen
tinue The policy of chartering banks, their
notes would take the place of our own,
which would only deterioTate our curren-
cy and contribute TO their wealth. 1. is
no less gratifying 10 US, than honorable TO
| the institutions themselves, that tue State
banks of Virginia have generally besn
conducted upon Trudent and safe prinoi-
pies, and in this respect forming "a excep-
ton, compared with those of other States.
This may have been greatly ewing to the
many restrictions that have been imposed
upon them by their charters and the laws
of The State and whilst it proves the
wisdom and proprieiy OF these restric-
tions, il should admouish us 10 continue
them, together with any other conditions
that prudence may dictate, in any new
charter that may be granted. Expert
ence has abundOntly shown that these
mammoth rnoneyed institutions cannot
be too closely guarded to protect the pub
lie interest. Should the legislature think
proper to renew these charters. would
recommend that the mother banks. be re-
chartered with their present branches. =
By doing so, VIC shall: be able TO keep up
distribution of the capital of the coun-
try. and locate it in positions to be useful
to all. We diffuse and equalize those
commercial advantages which might he
monopolized we reduce the cost OF re-
mittances or of exchanges at anterior and
remote points and we render them more
secure. because the mother banks and its
! branches are responsible for losses that
may occur at any one of them b. misma-
nSgement or otherwise.
Whether we should have two separate
and distinct systems Of banking in this
State as at present might a. first appear
questionable !: but perhaps this would be
more likely 20 resul. in gooi than injury.
The rivalry between the two systems will
produce a mutual scrutiny into their ma
nagemeat, and an examination into their
condition. that would keep them under
proper restraints and within lcga! bounds
and thus each improve the other.
Il is Of great advantage to the commu-
nifty that its circulating medium should be
known. and yet of the nine Independent
banks that have gone into operation
there has been no public announcement.
and it Is now impossible for the peoP.e 10
know whether they are legally cOns,iIu-
( ted or not These cousis. OF the Back OF
! the Old Dominion, the Manufacturers
and Farmers Bank OF Wheeling. the
Merchants Bank OF Virginia. the Central
Bank of Virginia, the Bank of Ninches-
/ tel. the Monticello Bank, the F4irmont
/ Bank, the Bank of Berkeley and the
Trans Allegheny Bank. The charters OF
these banks exempt them from the ope-
ration of the 7th section of chapter So Of
u ~ =,