The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-01-21
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We Know No Party, but the
Party of the Constitution p
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, }
s1fs WHEELING, Jan. l9, 1864
Gentlemen of the Senate
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s.lts WHEELING, Jan. l9, 1864
Gentlemen of the Senate
q 7H3T;ngnd House Of Delegates: q =
The time has been 80 short since the ad
journment of the last Legislature that many
of tine laws passed by that body have not
yet been printed. IN The adoption of the
Township system, and the great change il,
the County organization by the provisions o!
our Constitution, necessarily made the laws
what complicated in their provisions and
novel in their character to our people;
and as the Constitution does not require
the laws to be approved by the executive.
have not had the inclination, il had had
the time, to examine them, very closely in
manuscript. $50 far, hwevee, as I have
examined them, they manifest great
industry and intelligence, and . an
honest purpose on the lart of the Legis-
iature to give the friends of the system
proposed by the Constitution, the benefit of
fair trail of it before the people. And
hope after there has been an opportunity of
testing this new system and its workings,
it may be found that it is a good one, and
we'll adapted to the situation of our State.
Since the adjournment of the last Legis-
laturs there has been no material change in
the condition of affairs within the State. L
have not yet the pleasure OF announcing to
YOU tho recovery of all the territory Of the
State from the domination of the enemy
The Southern portion of it, including some
Of the richest and most productive counties
is still beyond the lines of the Federal army
This is much to be regretted, as the most
reliable information in regard to the people
of that section is, that large portion Of
them are anxious to be released from the
destructive rule of the rebels; and that they
will, when protected, yield cordial sup
port not only to the Government OF the
United States, but also to the government
of this State. Tney have been forced to
contribute to the support OF the rebel gov
comment to the extent OF 1.-THE of all their
products in kind, in addition to freqent inn
prsssmsnts for military purposes, and the
payment of State taxes to go into rthe
treasury at cLmond, until many who' were
inclined to sympathize with the rebellion
are unwilling to bear these burdens any
longer, and would gladly receive protection.
at our hands. Aside from this unrecovered
section, the loyal people of the State have
enjoyed more peace and felt greater security
FROM any formidable force of the enemy
during the past summ md fall, than at any
other time since the rebellion. This is
owing IN part, no doubt, to the falling for
tunes of those arrsyed against the Govern
ment, but chiefly to the fact, that an in
dependent military department has been
created, composed in great part OF this
State, aud put under the command of q
competent General, who has felt great IN
terest in our welfare. Before the creation
of this new department. West Virginia was
generally the borderlof some larger one, and
was not regarded as entitled to any special
care or protection, at the hands Of the cam
mandiug General and could only claim a
small PARTON of his attention, By the
present arrangement, however, the CON-
mandsr of this department. has been sup
piled with larger force than has been here
tofore within the same territory; and il
gives me pleasure to say that since General
Kelley has be, n in command here, he has
displayed great military skill, Judgment and
foresight. and untiring energyj and the OH
GERS and mon under him have evincad great
gallantry in the several battles and skirm-
ishes in which they have been engaged, aud
which they are enlisted, by tho long and
fstlguing marches they have performed,
and the great hardships they have endured,
without murmer or complaint. They have
not acted simply on the defensive, but have
sought and attacked the enemy, and, with
one single exception have routed him wher-
ever he was found. All honor lis due the
General and the brave troops under his
command. ...ra.a. .ts.- /
In addition to to government troops in
this departmental have organized independ
ent companies in the more exposed counties,
under the act OF the Legislature, passed
July 2, 1863; the more immediate purpose
Of which is to protect the citizens and their
property against the predatory bands that
infest the State, and to give informstipn to,
and CO operate with the Government troops
whenever occasion requires. The result has
been very satisfactory. Wherever these
companies are organized fewer guerrillas are
found and fewer depredations are commit
ted, and the people feel greater security OF
person and property than heretofore. BY
the act mentioned the Legislature made q
teml ,ary appropriation Of 800, 900, for the
pawn at Of these companies and for State
defense generally. u 1t may be seen from the
report of the Auditor that $ll 1863 %, o
this appropriation. has been expended |,
is probable that ths Government troops now
in our midst will be concentrated for more
formidable duty in the spring, and the pso
pie may be thrown on these State companies
for protection against the guerrillas; aud, as
the residue of the State, as it is recovered
from the enemy, will also need protection
itmay be necessary to increase their mum
bersf Z 1 therefore recommend a liberal ap-
propriation with view to Increasing theiI
numbers and efficiency +, ae-f4
Notwithstanding all that has been dons
by Government troops and State compi-
e 81 Stato nm .f;n ~