Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-10-31
.TEN,lNEssEE.

TENNESSEE.
s. The annual message of Gov. johnson to the Leg
slaturc OF Tennessee now in session, is before US.
From this document We learn thai the Indebtedness
OF the State amounts to So 9a2 956, in addition to
its liability for bonds loaned and endorsed to the
amount Of 900 making the whole liabilities
amount to ,744, $50 The estimated present val
ne Of the stocks held by the State is 5000, S27
the turnpike companies paying per cent. on their
stock The State own 81, $50, 900 in the stock of
the Bank of Tennessee and the Union Bank, and in
the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad $780, 900.
This exhibits safe financial condition of the State.
The Governor recommends that the affairs of the
Bank OF Tennessee be wound up and that the stock
OF the State in the Union and Planters Bank be
disposed of, and all other State stocks and the pro-
ceeds invested in the per cent bonds of the State
lie suggests some amendments to the free banking
system, and the prohibition of all notes under So.
The Governor seems to prefer many of the sug-
gesons OF MS last message to the preparations of
new views, and therefore quotes largely reiterating
his opinions upon public roads, national homestead
Judiciary, penitentiary, weights and measures &C.,
and renews his recommendation of amendments to
the Constitution of the United States in regard to
the election of President and Vice President and
Senators of the United States directly by the peo-
pie; also, that the Judges of the Supreme Court
hoid their ohces for twelve years. instead of during
good behavior.
On the subject of agriculture Gov. johnson writes
so senslbly that we deem two passages of his mes
sage worth transcribng:
The Legislature, at its last session, passed
act to establish State Agricultural Bureau, with
county and district societies subordinate thereto DC
BY this act the Governor of the State consti-
tuted President &c oDfciO of the Bureau. The Blu
reau was organized, according to law, on the Goth
day of April, 1854. Full details of its action will
be laid before you by the Secretary of the Bureau.
from his report you will see that county societies
have been chartered in seventeen counties, division
FAIRS were last year held in the eastern and middle
DIVISIONS OF the State, and by the Sumner county
society, and that new and beneficial interest has
been awakened on the subject of agricultural inn
Provements Division fairs will this year be held in
each DIVISION OF the State and the biennial State fair
is now In progress near Nashville, under your
immediate inspection. The agricultural interest has
always been and will probably long continue to be
the leading interest of Tennessee 1t is wise and
proper that 1t should be ostered and encouraged by
ihe Legislature, by all reasonable and legitimate
means am Of opinion that the law of 1854 was
wise and salutary step in the progress of agricul
tural and mechanical improvements and reform.
Nature has been prodgal in her gifts to our
State and the representatives of the people
render no service of greater value to their consti-
tuents than by atfording judicious encouragement
to associations having for their object the develop
ment OF the agricultural and mineral wealth Of the
State and stimulating the mechanical skill and in
dustry of its citizens. When our people learn that
the necessity for labor is 4 blessing rather than a
curse that he who causes two blades of grass to
grow where but one grew before is greater public
benetactor than he who conquers armies and that
honor, fame, and fortune, may be certainly earned
IN the workshop of the artisan in the offices of
the learned professions, and as freely accorded by
the public sense to the former the latter then
we shall have lived down obstacle in the way of
State progress as absurd as it is iniuriOuS.'
The Governor wisely abstains from the discussion
of national affairs and partisan politics He makes
war upon education, in his last message; but,
on the contrary, in his concluding paragraph COM
mendS 1t with proper fratcrnal socitude The
reader cannot hut sympathze with and approve the
sentiments which follow, and unite with the writer
in thankfuness for the manifold blessings enjoyed
by the nation
SIN bringing this communication to close, I
cannot forbear expressing with you, and hope the
whole country, heartfelt CALCULATIONS that all the
clements of prosperity designed to make a people
great contented, and happy, continue to exist, in
favored land. Every branch of industry has been
amply rewarded. Our fields have teemed with rich
and abundant crops, yielding plenty of all that is
ncedful for man and beast Our various works of
internal improvement are steadily and constantly
advancing by the timely and judicious aid of the
State, developing our hitherto hidden and latent re-
sources and bearing Off the markets of the world
at cheap rates, the mechanical, agricultural, and
other products of the country. Education has also
received impulse by legislation which, it is hoped
will be continued and carried out and
State ultimately to take position upon this subject
not Inferior to that of any State in the Union. I'm
der benefcent and overruling Providence, we are
still permitted to enjoy that sacred and greatest of
privileges relating to man in social life, civil and
religious liberty, making this of the frcest and
happiest forms of government the earths surface
An efficient and pure administration of the laws by
all the departments of the Government-EXecutve.
Judicial, and Legslature-together with short
session of the Legislature, and the enactment of
necessary wise and, wholesome laws, will alsoadd to
the many blessings which have been bestowed upon
our favored people, and will meet with their hearty
approval, irrespective of parties, throughout the
State"