Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-02-20

VIRGINIA STATE CREDIT AND INTERNAL IMPROVE.
MENTs-MEssAGE FROM Gov E..-On Tuesday last
Gov Wise sent in to the Legislature IF Virginia, a
message on the subject of State credit internal i'm
provements taxation, &c. Gov Wise takes the
ground that it is the duty of the Legislature to make
additional appropriations for internal improvements;
that to suspend these improvements would be high
~ injurious to the works themselves, and would
show weakness, which would serious v affect the
States credit; that the taxes now paid by the peo-
pie OF that State are mot great as they ought to
be, in proportion to her wealth and her necessities
Tor taxaton; that the bonds of the State ought no
longer to be hawked about in market to the highest
bidder, but should be advertised and sold and he
"defiantly declares" the liability of Virginia to
meet all deficiencies, to pay all her debts, to per-
form every State duty and to construct every State
work appealing to her honor her energy her inter.
est, or her will" This is bold language, but Gov
Wise is bold man. He brings to the attention of
the Legislatures new source of revenue-to wit the
oyster grounds OF the State, embracing as he states
"two thousand miles of saltwater fundum covered
with the matrix of oysters" and yielding to indivd
uals more than five millions of dollars lie recon.
mends a tax on oysters; and that the necessary
monopoly in the trade-to protect their reproduc
ton by regulating the times places and manner of
taking them and he says he is confident from the
data he has collected, "that in few years the State
could DC made to realize half million of dollars of
revenue per annum from the oyster rocks" The
Governor concludes his message as follows:
'"I have thus, in the present emergency, thrown
together some reasons for the recommendations
now make.
Ist. To appropriate Immediately sun sufficient
to carry on the Covington and Ohio Railroad stead
ly and economically, for the next two years.
End. 10 enlarge subscriptions to the South-Wes-
tern Railroad so as to complete the to the Ten
nessee line.
3rd. TO enlarge equally the subscriptions to the
Central road SO as to enable that Company to pro-
gress with its work for the pcxt two years.
4th. 70 authorize the Covington and Ohio Rail
Road to be constructed with grade broad enoug
for two tracks, and with view to a connexion with
the South Western Rail Road, at the most eligible
points, and to accommodate, respectively, the gau
seS of the South Western and Central roads.
9TH. TO direct the Board of Public Works to fix
minimum tariff of tolls upon all the rail roads and
canals i'll which the State is party; so that the
State revenue may not be reduced by vicious com
petition between State lines. And to direct the
Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund also, not to IL
vert that fund.- under any preteXt construction
whatever from its constitutional purpose of sinking
the principal and paying the interest of the public
debt
9th. To authorize advertisement for State loans,
instead of sale of State bonds
7th. To organize system of revenue from the
oyster flndum of the State.
Sth. To increase the rate of taxes in conformity
to the laws requiring these additional subscriptions
appropriations and expenditures
9th. And lastly, to digest these and other mea-
sures, l recommend the two Houses to extend the
session of the General Assembly, for the reason that
if the great measures of public policy are left I'M
provided for by the present session. shall not deem
it my duty to take the responsibility OF calling an
extra session of the Legislature say this out Of
Difference to the will of the present Assembly, if
they shall decide that important measures shall not
be acted on by them.
To sacredly guard the public credit, to construct
the primary Public FORKS, to build up centre Of
trade, to make mart of foreign commerce, to st-
mulate mining, manufacturing and the mechanic
arts to foster Home Instruction in literature science
and the arts to provide for all these the necessary
reren1e and to pay the public DEBT | am anxious to
divide any responsibility with the Legislature, and
to incur any risk or make any sacrifice for the sake
of our beloved commonwealth. She has mighty
work to be done, and shall it be said that she has
not the men, at this day, to do it mastery? With
the utmost confidence, l appeal to you, gentlemen
and am, with the highest respect, your Obedient
servant HENRY A. WISE.
Aho l"AeS Nv" paul ~ liiV PeoPle VI gun" q"
considered onerous; but here is proposition
which seems to be necessary to preserve present
improvements and to protect the States credit-to
add largely to them. The people of North Carolina,
while prosecuting judicious system of improve
ments, and wisely avoiding cxtr,vagant expendi-
lures, may learn something from the experience and
present condition of their sister State. North Caro-
lima has also her saltwater fundum covered with
the matrix of oysters but her necessities for
taxation have not as yet driven her to this fun
dunn as source of revenue.
The finance committee of the Legislature of Vir-
gna have recently made report in relation to the
State finances and liabilities Upwards Of a million
of dollars in of the receipts will have to be
paid by the first of next July. This only be
obtained by loan and the committee suggests the
issue of treasury notes, running three years. bearing
an interest of seven per cent? passing from hand to
hand by assignment, and receivable in payment Of
public dues. The committee also recommend the
sale of the stock held by the State in the Banks 1t
will require it is stated addition of about ninety
per cent. to the present taxes, to make good past
deficiencies and meet interest and current expenses
NICARAGUA.-We arc indebted to the attention of
Hon. John Ii. Wheeler U. S. Minister at Granada,
Nicaragua, for copy of Ell Nicaraguense of the
25th January. This paper contains "by authority"
the decree of President Rivas revoking the powers
conferred on Parker H. French as Minister from
Nicaragua to the United States, and commanding
him to return home also, letter from NJ. Ferrer,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Col Wheeler, in
forming him that all communication with him as U.
g Minister Is susnonded GEL Nicarapuense com.