Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-08

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Heber Ker OF Northampton county distinguished gra-
duate OF the Virginia Military Institute. The corps Is In
excellent condition, in drill and discipline aud under the
operation OF the law of the last session. has been greatly
improved in numbers and material The officers well
qualified for their POSITIONS aud their duties have been
| discharged with ability industry and faithiuness.
| accompany this communication with memorial from
the OIL the OF VII oh appears to so reasona-
BILE that earnestly invite for your sanction, aud hope
you will adopt the essary legislation TO give it effect
THE ARNoEY
In pursuance of the provisions OF the first section OF
the act passed January 2lst 1860 authorizing TO
point commits arrange and propose plan for re-
fitting the armory by the introduction OF suitable michi
merry and otherwise appointed Col. f. IL. Smith, Col.
2. ST. g. Cooke and Capt. G. w. Randolph 10 constitute
the commission. They all gentlemen Of tile ntei-
gence and experience in military matters. The first
named two graduates of the West Point military
| academy and the last named for many years
neced with the navy TIE gentlemen Immediately
tered upon the discharge OF their important dues aud
have pro secuted them with fidelity and cal deserving
| o. the highest Communications.
transmit, herewith several reports made to me from
time to time by the commission, which furnish true
history of their acts and solicit for them your careful
consideration. They all drawn with signal ability,
| and are repetc with valuable information which
not fail prove instructive and interesting TO every
citizen of Virginia. No commission has exeried
itself more zealous and perseVerngly in the discharge
of its duties; and under all the circumstances,
| has think ever been more successful. The msrepre-
sensations and alsehoods which have been ndustrl
OIsy circulated in regard 10 the arms they have pro-
cured and their and the acts of the executive,
will be most satisfactorily refuted by the general dis
| seminaton of these reports.
invite YOUR attention particularly to the report OF
| the It'll day of December last. Suggestions and recon-
mendations therein presented that demand legisa-
tive action 1t proposed that certain portions OF the
public property be Sold and that out OF the proceeds of
sale a fund be raised to he expended in constructing
depot for the arms and barracks for the public guard
cordially approve this recommendation, and trust
will receive your appreciation. 1t is necessary that
thing shall be done at this session OF the general
assembly in regard to the recommendations contained
| in this report.
From the report of the 18th of August last you will
learn that contract has been entered INTO by the com
mission with j. X. Anderson Co. for preparing the
armOry for the mandatory aud repair OF arms The
work now going forward with energy and success,
and ! am persuaded that the contractors will redeem
their obligation credtably to themselves and Sasiac-
| tOrily to the state.
The reports of Maj II. Z. Colston of the Virginia
military institute, of most intelligent and ac-
compliShed young officers well deserving OF your
attention. Ma. Coston was appointed by the char
man of the commission, and charged with the duty oil
making series of experiments with small arms OF
various kinds, with view 10 ascertain their merits
His reports disclose the results of those experiments,
with intelligent and instructive observations ON the
value of the different presented for trial. With
these reports before me, have not deemed prudent
To purchase - the patent rights OF any newly invented
arms" The tests made were 10y no means satisfactory
!
| experiments OF more decisive character.
| LAIN AGAINST SELDEN, WRITER'S ( CO.
| All the information have IN regard TO this claim Is
derived from the report of the attorney general This
faithful and able public officer has done his duty, but
am sorry to say the prospect for realizing the amount
due to the state is not very lattcrng. His recommen-
| datiOns Onght to be adopted
| CoNIrNIc ATOMS FROM STATE EXECUTIVES.
communicate, herewith, letter from the executive
OF Texas, enclosing resolutions adopted 10y the lcglSa-
tre OF that state, and approved February 10th, 1888
The resolutions relate 10 convention ol all tic south
ern states. They deserving of and doubtless viii
receive Your early attention, and that consideration
which Is due to a sister state OF The contcdcracy.
also received the 18th day OF December last,
| from the executive Of kentucky, communication,
herewith Transmitted, ~ relation 10 the grave and
leun questions which are agit3tus the country.
In this letter SIX amendments to the constitution are
suggested, all OF which OF great importance at TIN,
iuncture, and eminenty deserving OF the most mature
aud serious dcbtrIOn. la this day OF startling aud
| momcutouS events every expression OF opinion that
may come TO u, from the southern states, should be
cheerlully received and calmly considered.
| JAMES RIVER AND EANNwHA COMPANY.
! Since your adjournment tn, company has entered
| int, q contract with Me,SirurS Bciot dcs Mmcrcs,
Brothers and Company, for the sale OF Ms entie hue
! of Improvement, with all it, franchises and mmuni-
tbs, nc udiug the commonwealth interest, and with
stimuli tIuns tur the completion of thc entire WORK. At
a meeting of the stockholders OF the company held IN
th, city ia the month at August last, the agreement
was amended. and a. amended, approved 10y vote
|
necessary give validity 10 the contract The accom-
panying documents will place YOU IN OF all
| the facts connected with the transaction.
The completion OF this great impTON emcnt Is OBJ
ect of the first Importance the people OF Virginia.
Il has been long hand, aud At, progress has been
watched with the strongest interest. When completed,
it will do To deyeiop the vast resources OF our
state than anV Improvement which has been projected.
Immense mineral wealth 10 be found all along the
line, aud The conpl oon Of the WORK will b'ins II INTO
use, and thereby add greatly 10 our prosperity ahi
IN favor OF any scheme that likely to be successful,
guarding carefully however the interests ana rights ol
uur citizens, The section regard to tolls ought 10 Ice
changed aud modified a. am inclined 10 think 1t viii
prove 6urensOmc aud oppressive To the coal, sat- aud
perhaps other interests. You Will scrutinlze
this agreement, and secure ample protection for The
right, aud interests OF the people ot tie state; and
a satisfied that very little trouble viii be experienced
IN adjusting the details 10 the satisfaction OF all parties
| Interested.
recommend the whole subject to your favorable at
tention and earnestly hope that a wise considerate
policy will be adopted looking To the early completion
OF this great central Improvement. The intelligent
president of the company will take pleasure m laying
| before YOU such Information YOU may desire.
| | am Informed that NJ Bcliot des MInieres is
pect,d here in a short time, and the assurances have
received induce the confident belief ON my mind that
he Will prepared to execute the contract on hs
| part.
Reform greatly in this branch expenditure Under
quarterly all the banks required to
published IA the and al large annual expense
ending sept 80 lsy their publication cost
81 o. s3i 81 In add ion have
published Tor heavy cost No
two OF them up In the Way-and utterly In
pos BILE therefore prepare comparative the
returns Viii are recommend that the
Law requiring publication In the city be repealed,
leaving Of 10 force them TO be pulsh
ed by the cities which they located
mmead that much Of the law allows salary Of
print seaAte be repealed The PaOle printer
and conceive OF no reason for allowing
say print the senate. LIT IN be paid far and
prc. the pnins lie Ee TO execute
| and thatis a lie has rigit to expect.
Uude puolc printer is paid commission Of ten
per paper red for TIE execution OF
ih printing This wrong both in principle and policy 1t Is
MIXTURE Of public The
pAper CON umel greater his commissions on
thu. constantly his officer expend much
possible particular Enough Ni be expended under
the favorable rcum Inces Hold out inducemont -
than Is lately Necessary for branch OF the
public service recommending that this clause of the Law be
repealed and that the public printer be required 10 furnish every
thing necessary cuon Of the prDng AMI that he be
pad fair and prices his labor intend resc
| lion upon that esumste aud prompt officer
Our statute requires county and In which
poraon court held shall provide and sufficient jail
entirely sat- fed that Of the A In the state not alb
outely worthless, certainly insecure ana iuutceht Reports
prisoners applications Offer rewards for their
arrest coming in the Executive ard In several
offered the
shortly thereafter arrested viii hat
p yded aad their criminals escape In Of the In
uncieucy Of the jail will not tax the whole state to insure their
s4ie-keePng
communicate herewith the report OF the superintendent 1t
the condition Of the seyara public buildings and
the repairs T. be made to put them In good
On these houd be made
The longer they delay d. he greater viii be the
exps required The recommendations made by this faithful
public officer deserving approval SO mu h
oils report to the capitol mmend to your special
attention, and cordially endorse h recommendation
The report Of the sudtor public UNITS will exhibit the f.
the aits details, and IL