Washington telegraph., 1864-07-20

STATE DUTIEs.-It is the business of the
Confederate Government to manage our foreign
relations, and TO defend us against our common
enemies. All matters connected with domestic
prosperity; the business, welfare and happiness
OF the people at home, devolve upon the States
They stand to the people in parental attitude
to watch over their interests, and in all proper
and constitutional ways to take such action from
time to time as will promote their general COM
fort and happiness, and protect the people gene
rally from distress and loss. This. indeed, is
the chief Object of all governments
In ordinary times this NAV be well enough
accomplished by periodical sessions of the Leg
slatuIe at long intervals, leaving the executive
and Judicial branches constantly in operation to
give efficacy TO the laws enacted.
In extraordinary times, ike the present, when
the whole ordinary courses of events are turned
aside, and new emergencies continually arising
affecting the people vitality, the action of the
legislature is more frequently required. Great
distress may occur to the people, and much
damage to the government itself for want OF
prompt legislative action. The State Govern
ments of Louisiana :ad Texas have felt this
and have done great deal TO relieve the people
in their prtsci: emergencies. We think our
Legislature could DO great deal in the same
way if it were shortly convened. The course
of the war has brought many families TO dis
tross. Their crops are neglected. and they are
destitute of clothing or the means of industry.
The State has means and facilities for assisting
them by expectation of cotton, and importation
OF cards AMI other Indispensable articles, which
private enterprise cannol afford. Our country
is destitute of iron for agricultural purposes
Our hills are full Of iron ore. The Confederacy
cannot make enough for military purposes, and
private enterprise makes none. Something
might be done to part;ally relieve this necessity,
by encouraging manufacturers here, or obtain
ing it, for the poor, abroad.
These are mentioned by way of example.
There are many other subjects requiring imme-
diate attention, such the finances of the State.
the public lands, and the Judiciary. Amongst
other things it is worthy of remark. that our
clerks offices and State offices are al destitute
of stationery. There arc no books for recording
deeds, or proceedings of courts The proceed
ings of the Legislature, the public acts, and the
decisions of the Supreme Court, are all unpub-
iished. An enquiry should be made concerning
this. Ii the public printers have neglected their
duty. they should at once be held liable in their
bond. If they have been unable by any exer-
tons to procure the material for tine purpose the
public exigencies require that the State should
II and hgyo tho -;...i u.
least cost.
The State has the power and means Of i'm
porting material for these purposes. They are
properly public necessities, but whilst attending
TO that, if the Legislature were 10 afford assist
ance 10 the newspapers in obtaining material to
disseminate information, nothing would be lost
TO the State, and the benefits to the community
would be ineaiculablc Hundreds of citizens
will be apt to die in the country for want of
medicines. 1t would be an act of humanity on
the part Of the State to establish dispensariss
throughout the State, to furnish the poor and
destitute. They have 30 means else of procur-
ing them. The enemy laugh at this very dis
trcss.
Besides that, We doubt whether the noAt elec-
tloil tdh ot EcIu anu Il quorum elected unless
| some provision be made for voting by refugees
and soldiers. Ii there should be failure, our
Sfalc government Will be virtually extinct Our
members Of the House of Representatives, and
one-half Of the Senate, will have their time ex-
pire. If new legislature be not elected, we
viii have none.
/ There is one glaring necessity for immsdiat,
! legislative action. Since our peniten.iary fel
/ into the hands of the enemy. our courts have
! been unahl- to punish any felony. save those
| Of the very highest degree OF the lowest Muir.
/ de- in the second degree, mauslaughter. horse
! thieviEg, forgery, and all the list of felonics
/ save those which are capital, may be still com
mttyd with perfect legal impunity There j.
/ no law 10 commit criminals to Jail to await the
/ event of the war, and when tried and conyi icted
/ there Is no possible legal punishment TO be in
tlictod Thus legislative inaction seems to invite
and sanction lynching, and does. indeed, make
/ it necessary. The government of the State
| should, by influence. permeate all portions Of
! the State outside the enemys lines, and enforce
! law and order.