American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-08
MESSAGE.
EHow cittsens Of tho Senate,
y Aaa House Of Delegates :

sessions OF the general assembly bien-
mai, two years have elapsed since the
assembling of the last Legislature; and
l am happy to inform you that 1 am
not aware that any of the essential in
forests of the, commonwealth have suf-
tered. On the contrary time has been
afforded the people to examine and test
the bearing and effect Of the various
laws enacted by your predecessors
The credit ofthe state has not been en-
dangercd by heavy additional appro-
prlat!ons, and the large expenditure
incident to session Of the general as.
semby has been avoided All which
tend to demonstrate the favorable work
ing Of our organic law.
After this long interval, allow me to
tender you my salutations, ona to con-
graduate you upon the general pros
porous condition Of our beloved com
monwealth. There has been but one
circumstance to mar our felicity, and
that | am happy to say is at last pas
sing away. The pestilcnce which has
prevailed for the last three months in
the city Of Norfolk and town of Ports
mouth has cast gloom over the whole
State. We sincerely lament with our
fellow citizens the ravagcs and dcsola-
ton which death has wrought among
them. 1t has awakened the deepest
sympathy throughout our own borders,
and proved that the kindly ties of
brothcrly affection prevadc our sister
States, who with our own people, have
contributed largely to relieve the wants
and minister to the comfort of the af-
tllcted. We can but entertain the hope
that with the return of the citizens to
their homes, and the restoration of
their health, business and commerce
will revive, and renewed prosperity will
attend them. Viewing this visitation,
as a subject for humiliation, and suit
able opportunity for acknowledging
our dependence upon kind Providence
thought it a proper occasion for set
ting apart a day Of thanksgiving, and
recommending its observance through
out the State, under a sense of graft
tudc for the removal of this impending
afiliction, and for the unnumbered
blessings hitherto bestowed upon us as
a people. In accordance with this rec
ommendation, the day was generally OBJ
| served.
In the discharge of the numerous
responsible duties, which devolve upon
you, as the chosen representatives of
free and enlightened people, am sure
you will not for moment cease tore
member that the honor, interest and flu
turc welfare Of the commonwealth has
for season been committed to YOUR
guardian care, and that upon your ac-
ton at this cventful period of our his
tory may depend foran indefinite time
| the veal or woe of our common coun-
try.
regret that the situation Of the f.
! nanccs of the commonwealth will not
enable me to represent them as in a
prosperous condition. But while this
is undoubtedly true no apprehension
need be felt that ample provision will
not be promptly made to meet every
liability, and to place the treasury here
after in q position not to be jeopardcd
by unforeseen contingencies. The peo-
pie of this commonwealth place too high
an estimate upon the necessity of re-
dceming her plightcd faith, ever to OBJ
.ject to the taxation necessary to meet
her engagements, and their rcprescn-
tatives will with alacrity provide the
revenue to meet the emergency.
From the reports of the accounting
officers, you will perceive that there
has been during the last fiscal year,
considerable deficit in the treasury.
TO supply which, it was necessary to re-
sort to the power vested in the exccu-
tive, of raising by temporary loans, on
the credit of the State, the amount re-
CURED by the wants of the treasury
This amount was readily furnished by
the Bank Of Virginia, the Farmers
Bank, the branch Of the Exchange
Bank at Richmond, the Merchants &
Mechanics Bank at Wheeling, and the
North Western Bank of Virginia. The
interests on these loans has been paid
out of the civil contingent fund.
The entire receipts Of revenue into
the treasury, exclusive Of the internal
Improvement fund and the literary fund
as shown by the exhibits of the audi
tor Of public accounts, amounted to
$1,74G, $500, which with the balance
in the treasury at the end of the pre-
cccding fiscal year, of $50, 90,
makes a total of $1,797, 849,17. The
warrants drawn on the treasury, for
disbursements during the same period,
excluding the same funds, amounted to
81, 1882, 1868, 10, showing an actual def
cit of $385,018,93, which as before
stated was provided for by temporary
loan. OF S4OO. 600. The treasurer nm