The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-02-01
coScL ESIoE OF MESSAGE.
IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION -"
A, authorized by an &c. of tho last Legisla-
ture. I, on the 4,h OF March. appointed jill.
Diss Dsbar, Esq, Of the county OF Doddridge,
Commissioner Of Immigration for this Stat,
who. as required By the act, has made report
OF his oficial transactions since his appoint
mont, which is herewith transmitted. invite
your special attention 10 this interesting doc
uneu., which manifesu great intelligence,
and q zeal that must result in tue accom-
pli,huent Of great good to the State.
In our State may be found all The elements
OF wealth. Nature ha, here been lavish OF
her richest gifts; and nil that is required IS
the fostering hand Of the Legislature to secure
population and the capital 10 develop these
resources, and make us Que OF the richest AMI
mos, prosperous States in the Union. there
fore commend the suggestions Of this report
and the whole subject OF immigration to your
favorable consideration.
For some reasons lot known to me. the las,
Legislature omitted 70 make the appropriation
necessary 10 carry out the otherwise manifest
purpose Of the act; and the commissioner has
been left to the contributions Of those VINO
feel an interest in tho subject and 10 his own
resources for money 10 pay the costs Of corre-
epoudence, printing md other unavoidable
expenses Of his office. II seems 10 zoe TIM,
you should not only reimburse the commits
sicner any money tim. he may have thus paid
out, bu, liberal appropriation shousd be
made, in order tina, he may be able The more
efficiently 70 carry on, the purposes OF the
Act under which lie WAS appointed, and secure
to the State the great bencS1 TIA: must neceS'
sArily result ;herelron.
rARpoSs,
Herewith communicate . statement "of :be
particulars" Of the severa! cases in which par.
dons have been granted within the year 1861,
rith my reasons for granting the same"
FORFEITURE OF REBEL PROPERTY.
Il will DO seen BY an examination Of the
law pissed November l3lh, 1868, ITO provide
for the forfeiture Of property in this State be-
longing to the Enemies thereof, that It Is
made the duty Of the Circuit Courts 10 take
cognizance Of tho cases arising under this
law and TO proceed 10 dispose Of ;hc propcr;!
forfeited "wLcn it is nude to appear 10 the
Court, that there are such cases; but, il will
ALEC be seen that it is hot made the duty Of
any officer, or person, to bring such Cases he
fore the Courts; and | um informed by the
Judges that there il IN iudisposition on tn"
part OF private persons TO volunteer their
serYi:es in did Of the execution oil this law.
II it is the Intention that the law shHl! lie
enforced it seems TO me that i. should be
made tho duty Of some officer TO bring the
easos properly before tho Courts.
ELECTION LAW.
Tho general Election Law provides that the
Supervisors Of the several Counties shall NEE;
on tho twelfth day after tho election, and
ascertain tho result, and in the case Of the
Presidential Election and some others to
certify the samo 10 the Governor, who is
required to make proclamation thereof, aud il
demanded give the person elected n certificate
Of the fact. Under the law Of Congress, anil
Of this State the Presidential Election takes
place on tho Tuesday next after the first
Monday in November, and the Electors are
required 10 meet Oh the irs, Wcdn, sdny in
December next thereafter aud cast their votes,
and certify the same rs prescribed in the
Constitution. Now, it il u fact TINT the Ger
ti6catcs oil the Supervisors from all tie Conn-
ties cannot reach the Governor by the ordinary
mode OF conveyance, in time for him 10 give
the successful candidates notice OF their cleo
ton by proclamation nS prescribed by the law.
or in any other manner. This was ;he case
after the last election. The proclamation vas
issued only two or three days before That
fixed for the c,eetins OF tho Electors, not time
enough for tho notice TO reach them. But the
majority was so decided that they were in.
duced to appear without notice. Had the
contest been doubtful it might have been
otherwise. I recommend that tho law be 80
amended that tho Supervisors shall be required
TO meet as curly rs the third day after the
Presidential Election; and the more certainly
to secure prompt action, that hcavy penalty be
prescribed Cor failure to meet and transmit
the required certificate on the day axe'l.
NATIONAL CEMETERY.
Soon after the battle OF Gettysburg, in July,
1863, tho patriotic people Of the country de.
termined 70 secure portion Of the battle field.
and prepare, arrange and beauti:y the same.
rs q Cemetery for the henorcd dead. who fell
in that battle, and there erect o monument in
memory Of the heroic deeds Of the living and
dead Of that great and successful struggle for
national life. To carry out this purpose, in
the succeeding winter IN Act Incorporating
tho Soldiers National Cemetery" was passed
BY tho Legislature oil Pennsylvania, and was
requested in communication from Hon. Da-
vid Wills. Commissioner on behalf OF that
State, TO appoint n Commissioner to represent,
this State in the organization under the act Of
incorporation; and on the 4th Of April, 1851,
appointed Hon. C. D. Hubbard, who has At
tended the several meetings Of the Commits.
sisners and has made his reports. The corre-
spondencc on the subject and The Commission
ers reports are submitted for yonr considera'
ton. |, will DO seen that West Virginia has
lot in tho Cemetery, whore rcpose the remains
of number Of her soldiers who gave up their
lives in that memorable battle. We also have
aaiuterest in tho unknown doal; and it is
expected tina. our State will contribute her
proportion Of the COS. nttendin: this work in
commcmoration OF the gallant deeds Of the
) bravsmen, who on that bloody field 80 noby
the liberties and saved the life Of the
nation. I trust that yon will no. hesitate to
mako tho necessary appropriation for this
purpose.
MILITARY MATTERS.
In pursuance Of resolution adopted by the
las. Legislature, I have caused Flags to he
procured and presented 10 the several reg.
: y 1T.