American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-25

| oa'ahCe VI from SloiouV 10 SoOUUU year.
THE LuNATIC AsYLUMs.
Refers to their reports; comments the
management of the W es,ern, and condemns
that Of the Eastern. 1t is in debt for the
whole expenditure Of the last quarter -
| with view to reform the Governor has,
therefore, appointed new Board He has
also arrested the old practice of allowing
| these Institutions To draw upon the appro.
pria,ions in advance. Recon- mends, for rea.
sons OF convenience, that more control aud
more direct supervision over them be Civ
Ell to the Executive. Recommends a new
Asylum al any eligible point in the North.
west.
Calls attention 10 the appeal b. tho La
| dies Mount Vernon Association ...
THE ARMoRY.
Attention Ia called to the complaint Of the
Captain of the Quad that he is unable TO
enlist suitable men for the present pay. and
asking that il may be increased to equal that
OF The United States Infantry.
| liz the stead of this, the Governor recon-
mends a change so as to make of this insi.
| tuition sort Of love: grade Military lusti-
lutte. This will save the proposed increase
OF expense, add 10 the dignity Of the corps,
| benefit its officers and prIvates, and furnish
a more reliable guard The present officers.
! ass sted by professor and tutor can give
suitable instruction and perform every duty
now required OF them. The Armory would
furnish every necessary accommodation.
THE PUBLIC ARMS.
The Commonwealth has arms for 100 900
men ut moments warning but her mus.
keis aud pistols have fin, locks. |, is rec.
commended that these be changed for per-
cusslon; that the barrels be threaded, so as to
shoot the conical ball, :and the aims made
sel-primns. This will require about 5 TO-.
Oo0 year Tor six years.
In this ConneCiIo on mention is made Of the
late loan OF muskes Is the Governor Of Ma.
ryland. This was done in compliance with
what was considered The requirements OF
comfy towards that State. They have been
returned in good order, without loss or cost
to the State Of Virginia.
TIE MILITIA.
This has been totally destroyed The re-.
turns do not number 10. 900, Out OF military
population of 200, 900. The volunteer system
has proved a total failure. There is no,
| regiment in the Stale. Popular sentiment
Is IN favor OF d reorganiza ton upon some e.
conornical and compulsory plan. Its obvi-
GUS necessity was further demonstrated by
! the Instruction panic of 1856 According
! ~, de'allrd project is submitted for all
dcfre and reserued force so organized as to
exempt ali over 25 from mastering, upon
payment OF so cents year, the proce eds to
| support the active force.
THE PENITENTIARY.
| The management Of this Institution is a
good IA can he expected with the present
| buildings and space. But the whole system
needs reform. Various reforms are accord
mgly suggested, the principal bling the pun.
Ishment Of blacks BY hard labor in the State
works:
The attention Of the Legislature is called
| to complaints from the South, and especial
! Iy from the Governor of All bama, of our
laws touching the transportation of slave
convicts. These, though condemned 10 bo
sold and transported beyond the limits of
the United States, il is notorious are and
must be merely sold further South. The
laws producing this slate of things are rep.
rotated as unconstitutional. immoral and
against comfy, besides leaving the offender,
in fact, uot punished at all
| FREE NEGROES.
The difference Of opinion as 10 what sho'd
be done with this class of population is re.
| marked and n synopsis given or the argu.
ments generally urged for and agains, them
The various modes are then reviewed IN
!
| them. The result is a recon, me hution to
cnlohize as many OF thsm as we can in Libe.
ria ; take back under the protection Of slave
| ry as many "a are willing. and discipline the
rest INTO proper condition by a uitable
| system OF rewards aud punishmenls.
| The separate tax upon them for colonial
| ton purposes is condemned as nnconstitu.
| tIonal, because not equal nor uniform. It's
| repeat IL, therefore, recommended Also,
| that no free negro be allowed in future TO
hold land beyond small number of acres,
to hold house or 10, in town to hold slaves,
or 10 lend money TO awhile person.
| LAND OFFICE.
| The evils Of the present system OF grant.
| inc waste and unapproprialed lands are duly
| remarked, and particularly the gross frauds
which are now extensively pfacticpd under
| them upon lgnorant persons in tie Northern
States. II is therefore recommended that
no more warrants be issued until surveys be
made OF he waste aud Incorporated lanis
oscer'ainng where they lie aud their duan
Iiy, and that they are subject TO entry.
INSPECTIONS. ETC.
A continuance Of the present system of
| tobacco inspections is recon mended. as
well as the construction OF another ware.
| house IN Richmond.
! Ntenlol Is ca'ed 10 detects IN The law
| for the inspection OF vessels. To quad n
gsinst slave.stcaling. and suitable amend.
menls are recommended.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
A history Of the successive capitols at
jamestown, at Williamsburg and a, Rich.
| nond, and various SERIOUS defects OF the
present one, are urgently criticised. The
| Governor, therefore, recommends the ron.
| ctr II a Etp b,,,I
! less than $50 600 10 contain the archives.
| the statue of WAsutNCroN and the I ;h,.,,