Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-18

throwing everything into commotion 0y shootlhs
at shadows, or mistskng owl tor an Indian, when
off goes its gun at hafcock again. The readers of
1.-The South, however, must have become accustomed
to our neighbors hasy iIhpulsive, finland mode of
doing things and therefore we think there is little
danger that they will be very anxious to gibbet Sc
nator Douglas until they have additional evidence of
his treason.
VIRGINIA LOOKS TO THE LEGISLATURE.
The good people Of our honored old Common
wealth have, for years past, enfondy nduging the
hope that at very distant day, the varied and al
most unrivalled resources of the State, would be
made available to such extent as to give to Virgil
mia an independent and practical possession Of all the
elements of q paton's wealth and strength. Indi-
vidually, ths citizens of the old Dominion are as
prosperous intelligent and conented as those Of, per-
haps any portion Of the EARTH But they "re. never
theess not unmindful of tha fact that those gifts
which Heaven has bestowed upon the Stete-lhose
advantages to which nature directs their attention,
have been and still, comparatively disregarded
and neglected With noble rivers, broad and beauti.
ful bays, unrvalled readstesds, and convenient and
capacious harbors with variety OF soils suited to,
and prolific of, that multiplicity of products, which
Ia found in climate neither too cold for the igtree,
nor too warm for the vigorous growth of those cereal
grains that constitute the "sts of life" with imi.
table mineral resources; with high mountains and
fertile vaies with all these evidences Of the majesty
of God and his provisions for the happiness OF man,
the nearest sembance of HIMSELF with all the envla'
BILE agricultural, manufacturing and commercial ad-
vantages with which Virginia is or might be blessed,
it is but too plainly true that she does not enjoy
them. The people are, however, awakened! to the
condition OF affairs. And they are eager for full
development of the States resources of wealth and
strength. An extensive system OF internal lm-
provements once found no especld favor with the
people Of the East. They we're content with the
commerce of their creeks and rivers, and were reuc'
tsnt to be taxed for opening the avenues OF trade in
the West But more light has lately been shed upon
the subject. The Eastern people now take broader
view of the question They see that their interests
are identified with the interests of their brethren OF
the West And they are not only willing but anr
ous to unlock the doors of the great tramonsne gra.
nares, by means Of judcious development Of that
policy which, when fully carried out can alone make
Virgnis what she should be. Under existing crcum.
stances with monetary crisis upon the country, low
prices for produce and the rate Of taxation already
elevated to standard beyond which it would perhaps
not be advisable to raise it, it is not to be expected
that any immediate means can be adopted for nfus-
ing new life and vigor even into all the works now 80
lspguidly going on for the want Of "msteral aid"
We speak thus with reference TO the revenue from
ordinary taxation We doubt that it would either De
polite or popular just now to increase the taxes on
persons and individual property But, fortunately
for the State, the Executive equal to the emergency
The Governors Message not only bespeaks heart to
appreciate the interests of Virginia. but mind also to
conceive and search out the remedies for the times -
The recommendations for adding to the revenue OF
the State without expressing the people with taxa
tion are entitled to earnest consideration; and we
trust that the Legislature will discuss and adopt them
The oyster tax which the Governor suggests, presents
itself to us as not only emnenty advisable as means
of relief but act of justice to our own citizens
Unless Virginia means always to be generous to her
sister States at the expense Of her own interests un
lees al, means to exercise ownership the trea
sures in her waters: unls,. State sovereignty has
no utsr relation TO conflicts with the authority
of the Federal Government in matters pertaining only
to politics proper; unless our State rights mean no
thing more than the accepaon in which the term It
npped to our domestic institutions; unless we are
willing TO give away millions to Northern men, We
cannot see how this suggestion of an oyster tax cal
fail to be adopted. The State is sadly in need o
money. The public improvements are angulshipe
for the want of it. The rate Of taxation on persons
and private property is already as high as, perhaps
the people would willingly bear; and it is eviden
that something must be done. Money must be had
Whv then not resort to the oyster tax at once II
NAV bs said by those gallant and jolly gentlemen
who have the good fortune to represent oysterestne
and oystsr.catching constituencies that the tai
will bear heavily upon the cstchers and sellers
rather than upon the buyers OF the oysters-and
that thus, It will operate partially, and upon few
for the benefit of the many-that the revenue de
rived from this source VI i'll not only come out Of ths
nockets Of our own citizens instead Of the Northern
dealers in oysters but that it will moreover come ou
| of the few alone, who are engaged IN taking the
oyster from it's native rock to sell to Northern yes
sels But, if we properly apprehend the scheme aug
gested this will not be 1t is true, the tax will be
mnosed upon those who catch the oysters. But they
have only TO add the amount of that tax 10 their pre-
sent nrces, when will be transferred from them Il
|
on 70 the price per bushe as would be ample TO fur
nsh an immense revenue to the State would drlV
of the Northern vessels from the trade If they dit
not realize handsome profit, they would not be en-
paeed in the business. And, besides, they cannot r
elsewhere and find such delicious bivalves, as thos
for which the waters of Virginia are so famed
The State stands in need Of money. And the pee
ple look to the legislature to devise the ways an
means of raising it; and that too without calling o.
them for it. penurious and dishonest old farme
was in the habit Of ordering one of the cratest of hi
negroes 10 kill sheep on certain morning, but h
always accompanied the order with an especial in
junction, that no sheep must be missing from IN
flock the next day. OF course the neghbors occasion
| slly counted one lees in their hocks The people o
| Virginia now say to their representatives, We nus
have funds for internal improvement, &C., but yot
| must not come to US for an additional cent
There is this difference between the two cases
| The old farmer made his representative appropri
ate the goods of Others, while the people of Vrgin
ask that their representatives shall only employ tn
natural capital of the State for the urtherance OF TIT
interests of the State, instead of allowing Northern
men TO grow rich as we'll fat at the expense Of oui
own people.
The present Legislature is composed of gentlemen
of ability, intelligence and public spirit. 1t has it
silent but thoughtful, eliuformed and practica
men, as well as its practiced debaters And We csnno
but cordially commend the Governors suggestion o.
an oyster tax TO them ALL from the East and from the
West We doubt that any State in the Union car
boast an sbler legislative body And the State viii
expect much from them. We have not now the time
even to allude cursory, we have done to this, tc
the other recommendation OF the Governor, for rails
| ing the revenue. But We purpose adverting TO j
anon.
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
The following extract from the Olympia "Pioneer,
n. ainfai inc