The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-06

cd duties Of the session, Incident to putting the
new constitution into operation, and the great and
absorbing interest felt upon the subject of internal
improvements, that interest failed to receive the
attention to which 1t was entitled by its merritt
The Importance Of this interest may be better APP
prectafed. when we consider the number Of these
engaged ia the pursuit, the snolnt .nvestedl the
benefits to result from yiseahd 5udicieusf ~ item
and the evils that must follow lie mcgee. The
lue, and therefore its impofsabce, has been, ard
Will continue to be greatly enhanced by the pro-
grees and completion Of the grand system OF inter
nal improvements that has been 50 wisely project.
ed. These, by adding to the value Of real es,a e,
will bring into requisition every Of soil thar
can be made to yield anything either for the sup,
port or ornament OF man, and render the augmen.
fation OF Its product .eness more important than
ever. rs true, as expressed In my first message,
that In q government wisely and udiciousy admin.
isfered Il will generally be found best to leave the
various branches of Industry to individual enter,
prlse without attempting to control them by iegis
iaiion But this applies with no more forceto agrf
culture than to any or all other ofthe pursuits. Why
then. should that which Is the true basis OF all
wealth the most important, the most useful, the
most honorable and the most widely diffused-te
the most neglected of alli Our government has in
various ways given support to commerce. mechan-
les and manufactures. To support, protect and de
fend the FIRST our vessels of war are continually
uponthe alert and will visit the furthermost sea-
For the guidance and encouragement ofmechanics,
patent office has been established, where can be
seen in an hour all the successful experiments CT
skill and science during the past and the present.
No time need be lost in travelling over ground that
has been once trod or in makir experiments that
end in ruin. Our manufactures, even against con.
stitufioual restraints, have received the fostering
care of the government in the form of protection,
whilst agriculture, upon which they are dependent
for vitality and which must support them all is
left to gr0pe It's way withsut system aid or sup
port This should not be. How shall it be reme-
diedf | answer give II your countenance and sup
port in form that will stimulate the energies of
the farmer, and give him the aid ofscicnce-science
coupled with practice-to guide and direct his ener
gies 1t has been truly said knowledge is power"
and that mind will govern matter.n To produce
the desired effect the character of the agents to be
employed must be known. The labor of the hand
ia rarely probably employed, except when direct.
ed by reason. Science and practice must 60 to-
gether; but is not possible for each to learn by
actual experiment, all that should be known. 1t
should be made known, then, through selected
medium, whose duty it should be to collect facts,
make experiments and apply science for the bene-
fit ofaud at the expense OF all This would per
hapsibe best accomplished by the appointment OF
state agricultural chemist, whose duty it should be
toyisit every county ID the state, analyze the de
rent soils that may be found, and at each annual
meeting of the state agricultural society," deliver a
lecture, giving in detail the information derived
from such analysis, observation and experiment,
together with suggestions - to the best mode OF
treating the different sos; and such other infornla
ton as he might deem pertinent and useful aud
that this Information be carried to every door by
the publication of such lecture address in print
ed form, upon every hill top through every valley
and every plain in the state | therefore again
respectfully recommend that provision be made
for the appointment of such officer, and that the
salary be sufficient to command the best qualiea-
TONS ..,.-.e .
congratulate you upon the able adjunct in this
enterprise, to be found in the state agricultural
society which recently held its first annual fair In
this ely. Much to my regret severe domestic at.
Fiction prevented me from being present at this
exhibiiiou;ibut all who Witnessed 1t concur in say
ing that it was one that conferred honor upon the
state and reflected credit upon its distinguished
projectors, no less for the skill with which it was
managed, than for the philanthropic spirit which
led to its suggestion; and most cordially recon.
mend it to your favor Other local societies ofthe
same kind have been organized during the past
tall; hui as auxiiaries tothe first named recon
mend their encouragement Wchave reason to be
proud OF the effort; and il SO much has soon been
accomplished, what may we not expect in the fu-
turei In union thereis strength, and unity of eff
tort is necessary to success in almost any enter
prise-a truth long since learned, and one that viii
never be forgotten by those engaged in the other
arts, but upon which the farmer has never act
ed He has stood alone, without attempting to
WELD an influence or to secure legislation for his
peculiar benefit. He has been ycoz.eut to pay his
taxes resent every insult, and aven2e every wrong
his country mi ht incur and in time of peace pay
the expenses oil a war. incurred perhaps for the
pfoGtion OF other interests. In future let prac-
tice partially TO none-.justice to all.
Since your last meeting, cleo N has been
held tor commissioners OF public NO ks Che Off
cial vote is herewith communicated. and in COM
plance with the acquisitions OF the law, issued a
proclamation on the 22d June last dec airing that
the following persons had been duly elected, viz:
For the irst district, Taos j. Boyd for the second
dstticr, Archibald Graham; and for the third dis
let Edward J. Armstrong These gentlemen
have duly qualified, and the new board entered
upon their important career the lst of July last
The provision in the new constitution, (which re-
quired the establishment of this board was wise
and judiciou; and congratulate the state upon the
benefits likely to be derived 'FRONT.' in the increa
ed energy and efficiency that must be impaired TO
all our works OF improvement by a board composed
of those who can devote their whole time snd a.
tention 10 this subject, and who, untrammeed By
other public duties can visit and inspect the works
for themselves and thus obtain information that
can be had in no other way. Zach member Of the
former board filled other important off e. the
duties of which require all his fiine and attention.
and which necessarily suffered more or less as his
attention was bestowed upon other subjects Bat
have no hesitation in saying that the devotion to
the public interest OF those distinguished gentlemen
with whom had the honor OF being associated in
that board was not diminished because of their ir,
ability to perform a double service.
The great interests of the commonwealth are
now directly involved m her systern of internal i'm,
provements; and whether we consider the INN Dr.
lance oil these works of themselves or the large
amount OF money to be expended in their construc.
ton, tue duties deyoying upon the Board of public
works are OF the first magnitude. Much OF their
tme should necessarily, therefore be spent fo2efh-
at the seat OF government as the most central
and suitable point. Ittnay be that some additional
legislation upon this subject is called for The i'm
portance and diversified interests appertaining {,
the Office will necessarily demand the undivided
attention OF the commissioners; and with this in
view sound policy and strict justice require the
allowance OF adequate salaries. The Importance
OF the subject cannot fail to attract your viant at
tentiDn, aud any other modification of the present
law or additional egi lation that experience may
suggest will, doubt not, receive your immediate
onsideration. ts5 ie = fae - tst'f.e= wa s9 ~
Upon theg great and absorbing subject of internal
improvements have but little to suggest in addition
10 the suggestions heretofore made BY me upon
this subject The system ha the honor to sub
init to the general assembly hen, substantially
adopted BY that body as the ba is Of scale Of i'm
provemeuts which, when completed, will not only
retleet credit upon Virginia but place her in the
front rank with her sister states in all the elements
bfgreatness-d her invaluable treasures, and
in return for the liberal expenditure, contribute an
hundred fold TO the wealth aud prosperity of her
ei,izens. am happy to be able TO assure you that
these works are progressing with -comnaenda6le
rapijiy, and ii sustained by your fostering care,
bid idil soon To be completed stseJ5 ]
Pine North wcstern tirgiaia railroad which ia
under the management. OF, and being constructed
by, the Baltimore aud Ohio railroad company. Is
pressing forward With that energy which 80 Justly
characterizes that company. THIS road, as a stem
OF the great Baltimore Ohio road, vii! prove OF
great benefit to that section of the skate thro, ob