The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-01-17
The Governors MessREe.

"a one OF the best he has written. 1t is
clear, forcible and compact, in style,
and manly and patriotic in utterance.
The Governor begins by an allusion
TO the overthrow of the Rebellion as
having taken place since his last mes
sage, and says il is cause not only OF
couSratulation among ourselves, but of
gratitude to Almighty God. He thinks
the reorganization ofthe Southern States
has been sufficiently rapid, and that
some of them probably Tennessee)
should soon be admitted to representa-
ton in Congress, while the rest should
wait till they can give better assurances
ofloyalty; and deprecates the indecent
haste with which the reconstructed reb-
els seek TO be reinstated iii places of in
tluence and power. In referring TO the
conduct of the returned rebels in the
border counties at the last Fall cleo
lions, he is pretty severe on those who,
knowing themselves disqualified,
sought positions which they could not
ill, in order to retard civil organization,
and who, by their examples and coun-
sells, induced a general disregard OF
law in the conduct of the elections
His remarks on this head might,
apply to some besides those specially
mentioned.
He informs the Legislature that
while he believes Samuel Price of
Greenbrier, late Lieutenant Governor
OF rebel Virginia, was elected by the
votes cast (properly or otherwiSe) Judge
ofthe Ninth Circuit, he declines to COM
mission him or any person of such an
tecedentS. OF course no such man as
Mr.. Price could qualify, so that the is
suing of y commission would be but
farce anyhow. Aside from this howeV-
er, the moral sense-and patriotic sense
of the State would have been shocked
had Gov. Foreman pursued any other
course. We have no doubt he will be
sustained in taking the responsibility
not only by the Legislature, but by the
loyal people whom they represent.
In recommending additional legisln-
ton to enforce the oaths of loyalty, the
Governor takes high ground which
must not only commend itself to the
people and Legislature, but will
strengthen their own feeling of deter
mination that the State shall be pro-
tected from the rnpacity of those who
failing 10 destroy it by force of arms,
would now accomplish the same work
by diplomacy.
In regard TO the colored people of the
State, the Governor atfirmS their ina
licnable right to protection of person
and property, and declares that these
will not be secure till they are allowed
to be competent witnesses. He recon-
nends that the law to prevent rebels
from sueing out process, referred TO by
us Monday morning, be repealed or SO
modified MS not to apply to transactions
subsequent to the war. 1t appears
plain that there are good aud proper
reasons for such modification.
The Governor reciteS the results of
the financial exhibit of the Auditors
and Treasurer's report,-a very hatter-
ing one-and endorses the recommen-
dnIion of the Auditor for revaluation
of lands throughout the State, and an
amendment to the delinquent land law
that will require non-resldentS to pay
their taxes at least AS often as once in
two years instead of five as now. Per-
hapS if this is done the gentlemen who
live in other States and own large bod
les of unimprOved lands here may be-
come little more willing to sell It for
u christian price to those who will inn
prove and cultivate it. If there is any
reason why these nOn-residents should
be required to pay taxes only every five
wears while our own citizens pay every
year, aud why such inducements us
now exist should be offered for eXclu-
ding population and capital from the
State, we are mt a loss to know whnt it
is We trust these recommendations
may be speedy adopted by the Leglsia-
ture.
Many other subjects of interest are
discussed, but the brief space allotted
to this article will not permit an eX-
tended notice of them. The Governor re-
fers with pride to the exhibit made by
the report of the Adj't. General which
shows that West Virginia furnished to
the Union army over 81 900 men, ana
that the organized counties paid local
bountieS amounting to near S2,OOO, 900.
Reference is made to the report of the
Board of Militia Claims, which shows
that the Board audited just claims
amounting to over Sl4S,0OO. The Gov
ernor makes no recommendation in re-
gard TO their payment, but tells the
legislature if they think the claims
should be paid. they should provide for
hem at the present session.
In regard to immigration he recon-
mends that the Office of Commissioner
should be provided for so rs to make it
of some account, or abolished alto
gether. He commends the free schools
70 the fostering care of the Legislature,
and suggests that all the stocks held by
the State banks be turned over to the
free school fund-a capital suggestion,
which we may refer to more phrtlcu-
larIy hereafter. He renews and reiter-
utes the recommendation that peni-
tiary shall be located and built as
speedily as possible; and that immc-
diate provision be made for the Agri
cultural College. He also, in referring
TO the project of completing the James
River and Kannwha Canal and the
Covington and Ohio Railroad to the
Ohio river, recommends liberal IeglSla-
ton to facilitate the work.
II will be noticed that upon two
most interesting and important ques-
lions the message is silent, or nearlysO.
One of these is the location of the capi-
tut, and the other the proposed amend
NN hR n
State. In reference to the capital
he simply reminds the Legislature
that the lease for the building expires
in 1868. This lease can be renewed. of
course; and will have to be anyhow for
a longer or shorter time, even if the fu-
ture sent of Government were to be To-
Gated tomorrow; for no one expects, we
suppose, that IL capital will be ready for
occupation within anything like two
wears, even from the time OF commence
ing work on 1t.
In regard 10 the proposed amendment,
we conjecture it was not discussed be-
cause it is considered purely political
and party question which could not
properly be discussed in dignified and
business paper, such as message
should always be, and such us this
message appears to us to be. The firm
position taken on kindred question,
TO which reference is necessarily made
in connection with the civil re-organi
ton OF the State, leaves no room for
any one to doubt what the Governors
views are OH the amendment.
We commend this paper TO n careful
and impartial perusnI by our readers
of all shades and degrees of opinion.
GENERAL T. N. HARRIS, of this State,
known to most of our readers for his |!
services during the war, is on a short