Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-07-19

90 change OF the fundamental law os the State
for light nHd transient causes. The altera-
tioos adopted were such oulv ss vera impera-
lively re1aired BY the necessity of the case;
| to give vitality aud force to the Constitution
Ut the Stale, and to enable ii to operate IN the
circumstances under which we are placed.
1 They attempted no revolution. Whatever
others may have done, We remain as we we're,
ciHzens Of Virginia, citizens Of the United
States, recognizing and ooeying the Constitu-
lion and laws of both
| trust, gentlemen, you viii excuse me for
dweilIog 90 long upon these important topics.
/ Immediately on entering upon the duties of
my cfhoe, ] addressed an ofiicial commuuiea-
ton to the President of the Uuited States,
stating briefly the circumstances in which We
were placed, and demanding protection against
invasion aad domestic violence 10 which our
people were subjected; and | sm happy 70
inform you that the President, through the
Secretary Of War, promptly gave me very
satisfactorg assurances that the guarantee em-
bedIed 10 ne Constitution of the Uoiied States
would be efficiently complied with, by afford
ing to our people full protection. trans
hit herewith copies of these communications.
| | also send you herewith a copy of a com-
tHbhASaNASE NtNStNca iFOul Tue OScFGt4FV OF tue
Interior q Washington, certifying officially
the apportlonnent of representatives il the 38th
Congress, ender the census Of 1860 Virginia
has l3 representatives in the present Congress
Uader the new appoTtionments she will have
eleVeR oHly. Before the term of the 18th
Congress commences, it w.ll be necessary, there
fore, To redistriot the State 10 conformity with
the principles established in the 18th and 14ih
Sections ot The Ala Article of the ConstItu-
zion of the State.
The President of the United States bas is
sued his proclamation convening an extra sss-
sion Of Congress, TO meet at the National
Capital 90 the fourth of this mouth. The two
Senators from this State have vacated their
Offices. II is known to me that they are en-
gagged IN the conspiracy TO overturn the Gov
ernment Of the United States, aud in rebellion
10 lis lawful authority. They have renouuced
the title of citizens of The United States,
claiming to be citizens Of foreign and hostile
State. They have abandoned the posts as
signed to them by the State of Virginia in 'he
Senate Of the United States, to take Office
under tNa rehellieus goReFnmeBt of ihe
/ Confederate Ststss. recommend therefore,
tue election of Senator's TO Gil the vacancies
which have thus occurred.
| beg leave to call your attention to the sub
jeet OF the Circuit Court. Those circuits, as
DOW prescribed by law, are tso large to enable
The Judges to efficiently perform the duties in,
eum5ent Oh ghsiD. la Investigating this sub
jec,, you may fud 1t not only necessary to
reduce the size of the circuits, but to increase
the number of the regular terms. or make it
the duty of the Judges TO hold special extra
terms, at which The business before them can
be disposed of. / would recommend, however
shat any alterations you make Cor ihe present,
should be coo6ned ID, that part Of the State 10
which the authority of this Government is
recognized.
/ would also request your attention to the
ordinance of the Convention to authorize the
apprehension cf suspicious persons in time Of
war, aud TO The provisions Of the Code on
kindred subjects. When a civil var is raging
10 the midst of US, an efficient system to pro-
tsct the loyal people OF the Commonwealth
sgaiast the iutrigues, couspiracies and hostile
acts Of those who adhere to our enemies, aR
necessary for the safety snd good order of
the community. Nor viii the efficiency of the
system be diminished, if il be conceived 10
iudicious spirit Of moderation. | Recommend
the matter to your attention, trusting that any
amendments which may be found necessary TO
protect the community, wiil be unhesitatingly
| adopted, but, at the same time, that all proper
precautions will be taken TO avoid any meas
of unreasonable harshness.
The subject of the revenue viii demand
your attention. a recklessness has character
ICED the legislature of the State for the last
ten years that has involved us 10 most on.
erous debt. For many years past the Wes-
tern part of the State has been contributing
in an unequal aud unjust proportion to the
revenue, which has been largely expended on
internal improvements for the benefit of our
Eastern brethren, from which the West has
received no advantage in any form. The pros
ceeds of the heavy debt contracted on State
account have also been applied TO Eastern
railroads and improvements, from which the
West derives no bena6t. The leaders of Se-
cession in the Gulf States have adroitlY invol-
we'd Virginia in an immense expenditure IN
support of their reasonable schemes, aud,
to save their own people aud property, have
managed to transfer the theatre of war to our
territory. Before they ara driven out, the
whole of the material interests of the State
east of the Blue Ridge viii probably be des-
troyed, including the Internal improvements,
upon which such lavish expenditures have been
made.
can only recommend to 5oa vigilant at
tention to render effective the collection OF the
taxes already imposed, aud the utmost economy
aud prudeaee 10 their expenditure. Uad~r
she circumstances Of our people, no increase
Of taxation should, think, be attempted.
The suspension OF specie payments by the
banks of the State has been already legailzed
by the Legislature. Under present exlgen-
cies, the measure was, i think, uDexceptionA-
BILE. II specie payments were continued
among us, during the existence of civil var IN
our midst, the coin wculd 5000 find its way
into the hands Of those ShO sould hoard il mp.