Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-12-12
.STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
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WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER IL, 1855,
The Governors Message.

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1855.
The Governors Message.
With our last paper we sent out extras contain
inu the valediclory Message of Governor John
snn and our readers have had an opportunity of
nerusinu it. We find very little in the document
attracting attention or calling for comment. All
the information communicated by the Governor In
reference to State finances had been anticipated
by the Auditors Report, published several weeks
400, and other parts of the Message, in which re-
Communications and suggestions are made, are OF
the least possible importance. Indeed the Mes
sages Of Virginia Governors appear to be, Tor The
most part, very useless illusions, and the office of
Governor itself almost as unnecessary. Recon
mendatons of the President of the United States
carry some weight and influence, because the
President possesses the veto power, and also
Yields vast patronage by means OF which con-
siderable vote in Congress can always be secured.
| But our Governor, without veto or patronage, has
nothing to enforce his recommendations, except
the general influence of his character and talents
In the hands of the present incumbent the Office
of Governor has been decidedly insignificant; in
the hands of an energetic genius like Governor
! Wise, it will doubtless loom up into Importance.
As mere matter Of curiosity brief synopsis
of the late Message may be interesting to those
readers who have not felt disposed 10 peruse the
paper. The Governor informs US that the State
is prosperous, although he admits that her finances
are not in perfectly good condition. The ex-
penditures of last year and above the receipts
at the Treasury, amount to nearly $4OO 900; but
the revenue now coming due will meet this def
cit. The actual debt of the State is over twenty
four millions of dollars. In addition to the pres
ent debt, the Commonwealth is bound for sub
scriptons and appropriations amounting TO &c.
O6O, 594 03, of which not more than 100000
will probably ever be called for. The total liabi-
ties of the State may therefore be set down at the
round sum of thirty millions. But the State owns
large amount of bank and other stocks, which
should be regarded as offsets in the account of in
debedness The Governor urges the Legisla-
ture 'to step forward promptly and manifest an
unmistakabe determination to raise by taxation
whatever amount is necessary to place the credit
Of the State above suspicion even to the most
skepcal."
The subject Of internal improvements is then
taken up and discussed al some length, the Cen
trail and the Covington & Ohio Railroads being
properly assigned the first place in the list of
works deserving to be vigorously prosecuted
| The Governor advocates direct trade with Eu-
rope, and passing to the subject of agriculture,
again recommends the appointment of an agrlcul-
tural chemist.
Upon the subject of education, the Governo
is earnest and eloquent, adjoining this portion of
his Message with several appropriate quotations
from scripture. lie commends all institutions of
learning to the fostering care of the Legislature,
and particularly advises appropriations from the
Literary fund 10 the various Colleges of the
State, which advice we consider very judicous.
The new militia system, Governor johnson in
forms the Legislature, has produced an almost to-
tai disorganizaton, and he therefore recommends
return to the old system, or the enactment of a
better one, if it can be devised.
The Governor then takes up the subject Of
banking, and gives US the history of all The sex
plOSions" which have occurred for the last forty
years. lie attributes all the damage which the
country has sustained to paper currency, withou
suspecting apparently that our commercial system
had anything to do with it. lie is opposed to the
paper system, and goes in for specie exclusively
but considerably remarks that he has ''but little
hope of meeting coincidence of sentiment on the
part Of The Legislature" In regard to re-char-
tering the old Banks he is non. commitlal, but
should the Legislature proceed to re organize the
banking system, he suggests some amendments,
among others that after specified time no Bank
shall issue notes of less denomination than ten
dollars. He furthermore favJrs repeal Of all
laws on usury, thinking that the citizen should be
left free to stipulae for any rate of interest, and
in this opinion we are happy to concur.
The Governor renews his recommendation for
the purchase of Mt. Vernon by the State, and af-
ter dscoursing upon the Virginia Washington
Monument and one or two other undressing
topics, comes to the consideration of sour foreign
relations" He reviews the recent legislation of
Massachusetts and the difficulties thrown in the
way Of the execution of the fugitive slave law
The assumptions of Northern States, he says,
should be promptly met, but he fails to propose
any measure of redress, merely recaptulating
those suggested by others, and referring the whole
subject ''to the calm consideration and dgnifed
action of the General Assembly,"
The Governor concludes by gracefully bowling
himself out of office, and handing over the dest
MES of the Commonwealth to his successor
The Contest for the Speakership,
The contest in the House of Representatives
for the Speakership bids fair to continue many
days, and no one can predict when or how it will
terminate. The proceedings from day to day are
observed by crowd of spectators, and many en-
perienced politicians from every part of the coun,
try are in attendance as lobby members. cores
pendent ofthe Baltimore American says "the Gree
y faction hold their session in the rear of the Speak
er's chair, and watch the vote of every man
with unflagging interest. Occasionally the in
descrbable head Of Greedy can be seen protruding
over the screen, as an in:ination to those whom
he is watching that he is Still at his post"