Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-12-17
Governors Message.
Gentlemen oftRe Senate,

operation IN DONG everything that may
be calculated 10 elevate the character
acgeIopthe resources, and promote the
interests ofthe commonwealth.
The circumstances that surround US,
both state and national, are peculiarly
gratifying. Every class Of productive
ita1stfy il prosperous. and our citizens
are conIentsd and happy, For these
continued blessings, we should be CRATE.
fal,o an ever kind providence, as be.
comes the most highly favored people
upon earth, Under such auspices,
Gra'plcascd to meet you; and il som.
pliaace with an iljunctionof the cons,i.
tuition, communicate the condition ofthe
commonwealth, and recommend such
measures rs in my judgment are calcu-
lated to promote nor permanent inte.
rest.
The new constitution, which it was
the privilege of your immediate prehe.
cossors TO pu! into practical operation,
may, thiak, after . trial Of nearly two
yeers, be regarded cs q judicious aud
successful experiment. Doubtless time
and experience will prove that it has
imperfections; but if the hopes of the
most sanguine have not been fully re.
allied, the fears the most timid have
certainly been dissipated and confidence
has taken thu place of doubt and dis.
trust. The new and important feature
Of our organic law, which conferred
upon the people the election of the .js-
dietary, more particularly excited the
apprehensions Of our most enlightened
and patriotic citizens. The distinguish
eag9ntlemeu, however, who have been
chosen to compose that branch of the
government, have given ample evidence
Of the fidelity with which tho people
have performed this new duty; and if
,lismay be regarded as test of the
intelligence and fidelity with which the
voters, ,ofitbis commonwealth are capa-
bleof exercising the elective franchise,
allsspprehension from the extension of
this privilege maybe dismissed. | am
glad Ito betsble, therefore. toiniorm sou
ihasthongh some offs prnvisions might
be inproyed, and, by judicious legisla
'tioin, more efficiency given to others,
ouric6pstitution has worked well, given
sa,isfaction to the people, and bids fair
to fulfil the reasonable expectations of
the public.
The last session Of the general assem.
bly, was distinguished for tho import.
nnce of its measures. The change of
our constitution rendered necessary a
reorganization ofalmost our entire DO
mestic policy. Much new Legislation
was, therefore, necessary, and many Of
their acts could but be regarded as ex-
periments, to be approved, altered or
repealed, as your wisdom, assisted by
the light of experience, may dictate
Coming, as you do, fresh from your
constituents, where +ese Eoasutes have
been discussed, and their practical oP-
GRAFTON has been felt, yon r:c peculiar
ly qualified to judge Of their mcriis,and
10 remedy the evil, where any exists
Ithersfore ask for them your early at.
tcnLion.
In examining into the fpanccs Of the
State, it is gratifying to find them in
prosperous condition. 1t is true that
considerable addition to our debts hns
been made during the fiscal year, and
that within the next two or three years
the liabilities 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 redelnp,inp of the debt ex.
is,inr on the first Of january, 1852, and
provides that no new debt shall DO cfe.
ated, unless similar fund be created
for the payment ofths interest, and the
redemption of the principal within thir'
ty four years ;yc may safely inlet that
the people will not permit liabilities to
be incurred which cannot be liquida'ed
by such taxation ss they might be viii
ling to bear. The present rate OF tax
with the productive stocks he'd by the
State, viii be found sufficient to meat
all her engagements and no eEpcdIeHt
approximations viii he deemed eStraya-
giant or wastcfll, which will bS met by
taxation, agairst wA:e! 'asre '' no word
ofmurai4r. Bp, the truth is, there Is
nc necessity to provide for the payment
of interest on a large portion OF me
commonwealth debt, 4 considerable
part Gift yields an interest eqniy''en! 10
that to be ppid-nnd the premiums re-
ceiyed upon The loans effected, constl'
,ute no small item in reducing the a.
mount to be raised for interest a con
considerable portion ofthe debt was IN i,
cured for subscriptions to various banks
TO put them in operation or to in'
crease their capitals, The Common,
wealth received from The banks tor The
money subscribed, certificates OF STOCK .s
ut their par value. Upon these eer'In, %
Gates shs is receiving dividend: more
than equal to eight per cent; lot m oe,
sides the dividends declared she receives :
,ha Lo,rs ov,c,ed far tho privilege %