Smyrna times., 1866-01-17

per cent. in gold on the amount ofbonds trans
terred and delivered to the Treasurer Of the
United States. While the change will in my
opinion, be not only ali inconvenience but an
injury to the people Of the State, liquidation
on the part OF the Bank would be greater in
convenience and worse IN Jury; it would dis
turb the operations of free schools by rcQUr-
ing relnvGstment of the fund it would be
injurious to large number of minors and wild
owS whose means are invested i'll the stock of
the bank, and it would be detrimental to the
whole business community by depriving them
OF bank accommodations and facilities which
they have enjoyed for years. For these rca-
sons | repeat the recommendation that the
Legislature comply with the request of the
Stockholders, cOnfding the ultimate decision
OF the conversion Of the Bank into National
Association to the wisdom of the Directors III
whose keeping the interest of all concerned
will be secure
The subject of internal improvements has for
years past received much attention from the
people of this State. Experience has proved
that the construction and use of railroads is
the most rapid means of developing the resour-
ces and increasing the prosperity and material
interests of the State. The construction and
operation of the Delaware Railroad has added
greatly to the wealth and convenience of the
people Of the State, and especially those reSid-
! ing in close proximity to II. 1t is now being
rapidly extended, 10y it connection with Ma
ryland road, through tn Ea tenn shore of Ma
ryland to the waters of the (hr>apcake, and
promises, when completed, 81 further to en-
hance the wealth aud prosperity of the whole
| section Of country through which it passes
/ The Delaware and Maryland Railroad is now
in process of rapid construction, and the cxpcc-
tation OF those having charge of this improve
ment Is, as | am informed, that it will be com
| pleted within the present year. This road will
! be OF immense advantage to very productive
section of Kent county, greatly in need of fa-
cllitIeS for transporting produce to market
The completion of the Junction and Breakwa-
ter Railroad from Milford, by way of George
town 10 Lewes, is cOnsummatiOn greatly de-
sired not only by those living on the line of the
road but by the people of the whole State
As an evidence Of the interest felt by the peo-
pie of the State i'll this important improvement
the Legislature, at Its session in January, lS6j
! passed u law making the most liberal offer of
| assistance ever rendered to n corporation of
this State have always thought that, con-
sidcring the time and circumstances under
which it was made, the offer ON the part of the
| Legislature was magnanImous. The citizens
of the State were being drafted about every
| three months to meet the exactions of the Fe-
| deral Government The State is small in ex-
tent of territory, and had but limited credit
| The bonds OF the State issued to save her peo-
| pie from draft We're at the time selling at con-
| siderable discount in the market, and the para
mount duty of the H. gSlature WAS to preserve
the State credit The war has now ceased,
and means have been provided for the extin-
gtishnent of the war debt. If, therefore, the
hand of Federal Power Is not laid upon us, and
we are permitted to manage our own pecuniary
| affairs in our own way that debt need be q
4 ootl Ali,,
! ter in the light above presented and keeping
constantly in view the fact that railroad, like
other corporations, are the creatures Of the
| State, having 1t IN their power, by proper ma
nagcment, to add greatly to her wealth and
prosperity, | commend them to the fostering
care of the Legislature, and suggest whether
the terms of the proffered aid to the Junction
and Breakwater may not oe 50 modified as to
make it more easily available to the road with
out increasing the risk to the State, or doing
injustice to any portion of her citizens.
In message sent to the General Assembly
in June last, | recommended an increase ofthe
salaries Of the Chancellor and Judges of thi,
State subsequent reflection has convinced me
l Of the prOpricty of that recommendation.
not only believe that public sentiment would
sustain it, but that it is required, in order tC
secure for the future an able and faithful Judi
ciary, which is necessary to the proper admin
istration of Justice. ] therefore suggest wheth
er the true interest of the State would not be
promoted by fixing the salaries of these officers
at sum sufficient to relieve them of the neces
sity of connection with State corporations OF
, other Institutions which would disqualify then
from sitting in any case liable TO be brought
before our courts for adjudication. j also re-
new the recommendation that the salary of the
the Secretary of State be hberally increased
His present compensation is scarcely sufficient
to pay the necessary expenses Of attending t.
the duties Of his office, which are at least dOu
bic what they were at the time the present sa
larry was fixed also submit whether the com
pensaton of the Treasurer and Auditor of the
{ State is commensurate with the duties requir
ed of them.
The Revised Statutes of the State have beer
, 80 altered and amended since their adoption il
, 1852 as to render the code comparatively use
less as a book of reference. Would not the in
terest as well as the convenience of the people
be promoted by publishing it as amended?
The criminal code of this State, as appcabl,
, to the negro population, has, in consequence O.
the so-called constitutional amendment prohlb
iting slavery or involuntary servitude except a.
a punishment for crime, become inefficient
Under our present system negro may cOmm
murder in the second degree, be arraigncd
tried and convicted; the chief punishment j!
that he be sold as servant to the highest bid
der, Tor llte Should he be Onereu lOr Sale
the constitutional amendment having destroy
ed the market for this class of persons he is
purchased at nominal sum, and the next day
crosses the line into neighbOring State, and
entirely escapes punishment; or, being pur
chased by one of his own class. is liberated tC
renew tho perpetratiop of like offence in oul
own midst. I submit that such change bS
made as will remedy this defect
. received in November last cOmmunica
, ton from the Commissioner of Internal Rcvc
nue. in reference to the quota Of direct tax ap
portioned TO this State by the Act of Congress.
. of August |, 1861. | herewith transmit copies
of this communication for the consideration o
Z the Legislature.
In the message which | submitted to tn,
, General Assembly at its session in June last,
. presented, for reasons therein assigned, m!
q views upon certain questions of national polio!
. which [ foresaw would be likely to engage th'
E attention OF the American people in the adop
: ,;on az a pernlancnt system OF adjustment o
,hc disturbed relations of some of the States t
: the General Government
: Nothing has since occurred 10 change o
I modify tlfe vicws then pcscutrd. Do therou