Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-16
Governors Messages.


Wise's three Messages we are entirely unable to
give them place in our columns. They occu-
py twenty-five OF the broad columns of the Rich
mond Wing, and o portion of the type'used is SO
small as to be nearly llegibe. We can only
mention the topics discussed by the Governor,
and give few extracts, with which our readers
will no doubt be content.
MESSAGE No. is "On the present commercial
CRISIS and the condition Of the Banks Of the u
nited States. and particularly those of Virgin.
ian The Governor thinks both the two sys.
TENS of banking in this State are defective, but
either would do without the other. he makes
the following recommendations
list. That but one plan Of banking be adopt
ed. -r
"2d. That each corporation be independent
and be not allowed to have branch or branch
es.
"8d. That each be authorized to issue only
two of notes for one of capital.
'4th. To issue three of notes for one of specie
and no more, under forfeiture of charter.
18th. To redeem all its issues in specie.
seth. Be required to register all their notes is
sued, in some government office.
| 9th. To issue no note under $40.
"sth. To be separate from the State and its
| finances, except so lar as 10 neSollale'ioaus anu
to receive deposits of public funds.
''9tli. To be limited in dividends to seven per
cent. and to reserve all surplus over that pei
cent. for contingent fund, to guarantee specie
payments, !
over them to supervise their proceedings, and to
prevent violations of their charters.
''11th. That whether the State owns stock In
| ri, or looc fhra, of tba directors be
appointed by the State; to be sworn as com
nssoners to report quarterly the condition OF
the bank; and that said commissioners be not
allowed to own stock in or borrow from the
bank whilst acting as directors.
"12th. And that for sufficient cause the Legis-
lature or the Executive should have power to
institute proceedings to close the bank and put II
in the course of liquidation.
18th. That the banks be allowed to bank up
on limited amount, say one-halt only OF the de-
posts made in Them"
| MESSAGE No. ii is an essay specially on the
subject Of the legal rate Of interest and the usury
hws of the State Of Virginia. against Their
repeal" -
MESSAGE No. III is on Miscellaneous subjects.
The Governor sets out with explaining why ne
omits to observe the Storm and fashion OF exc
cutive Messages, to acknowledge Divine Good
ness.' 1t is not for the want of reverence for
religion, but because the State should have moth.
ing to do with religion. ~ am not constituted
and appointed" he says, "to handle Gods holy
things, and will not dare hypocritically and
cantngy to huckster them in the market Of pop
ulsrity among men,"
The Governor speaks of the James River and
Kanawha Canal as, by far, the greatest line OF
! Improvement in the State. The Covington and
Ohio Railroad is next in Importance. de re
c0mmends an appropriation OF at least one mil
lion and a half of dollars to carry on the latter
He also recommends that charter be granted
to the Winchester and Potomac Railroad Com
pany to extend their road to Strasburg or some
other point. Every portion OF the people" he
, says fought to be allowed to improve their own
section with their own means, compete with
whom it may, carry trade wherever it may. Ii
is too late in the day to attempt to cralnp deyel
opment in any direction it may take"
Under the head Of Receipts and Expendi'
lures" the Governor recommends that authorl
ty BIZ granted 10 issue 100000 of treasury notes
The total amount of the public debt is now ST..
2,9l5.69. The taxes need not be increased
but cannot be reduced. A reduction OF the tax
on retail dealers is, however, recommended
| Tax payers, the Governor thinks, ought not be
} allowed to assess their own property, but sworn
appraisers should do it, with power to examine
fthe subject. Brokers ought to be taxed accord
ing to the amount of business done by them
The additional revenue from the new assessment
of lands will be the current year not far short o.
j 600, 900.
As means of increasing the revenue, the
Governor again urges the adoption Of his oyster
fund1m scheme. He also recommends that nc
= ho harao innn a1
aud that the State undertake to insure lives and
property.
The Governor has no reason to doubt the good
management of the Western Lnuatic Asylum
J but the Eastern Asylum has been badly maDag
ed, and in many respects both need thorough
REFORM
In correction with the subject of the public
arms, the Governor reports the fact Of his hav.
ing loaned 5000 muskets to the Governor OF
Maryland, which have been returned without
loss, cost or charge to the State of Virginia"
| A plan for the reorganization OF the military
force of the Commonwealth is submitted to the
Legislature.
u The Governor recommends that the Armors
at Richmond be converted into a school, seven
4 ty-fve young men, from Is to % years OF age
being enlisted for term OF years and maintained
and educated during the time.
The Educational plan adopted by the late State
Education Convention, is recommended to the
Legislature.
On the subject of the free negroes the Cover
nor is humane and judicious. He is opposed Il
driving them off or forcibly enslavng Them
I Thinks they ought to be encouraged to emigrat'
TO Liberia and enslave themselves Voluntarily
The separate tax upon them, lie thinks, is un
constitutional.
An increase of the salaries of the First ant
Second Auditors the Treasurer and the Register
is recommended.
] An entire revisal of the election laws, and es
pecially of those to supply vacancies, is recon
nended, and a reform in reference to the cour
of Appeals.
The Governor concludes with a brief allusior
| to Federal Relations" He transmits copy o
his letter addressed to the executives of certain
States. during the late Presidential canvass; bu
the country being saved by the election OF Mr.
Buchanan, no says: II recommend that we al
in all the departments, unite as band of broth
ers, to attend, undivided and unspent, for this
one session at least, to the business relations o
our own blessed commonwealth"
ARIZONA CoMINa.-In the G. S. Senate, Mr.
Gwnn, of California, has given notice OF nj:
intention to introduce Bill for the organization
of the Territory of Arizona. Arizona isin what
used to be the Messia Valley Gadsden purchase
1t embraces about $4,000 square miles nterpo,s
ed between New Mexico OH the north and the
Mexican provinces Of Sonora and Chihuahua on
the south. and extending westward to the Colo
RADIO river. A gentleman who has repeatedly
traversed large portions oft says that it abounds
in gold, silver, and copper-has many, spots OF
fertile soil, is admirably adapted for the propo'
CATION of all kinds of fruit and especially the