The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-01-18
O.-.r,or Boreman,s Message,
The annual messages of eovernors of

gubern torialS chair, and the policy
which he will strive to follow in the ad
ministration of the affairs of the State.
In this view we have carefully read and
re-read the late message of Governor
FOREMAN, transmitted to the Legisla-
ture of this State last Tuesday, and are
frank enough to say that we find in it
5 many things to praise as we'll as some
. things to blame Differing widely from
the Governor in political opinions, we
are still willing to accord to the large
majority of his recommendations orr
sincere approval, and to promise him our
hearty cooperation in furthering their
observance by the Legislature. More
willing to praise than to blame, we men,
ton first the points of our agreement
with the recommendations made for the
consideration of the Legislature
First, the recommendation that the
law disqualifying those engaged in the
recent rebellion from suing or enforcing
contracts in the courts be repealed, is
manifsstly wise and timely These men
"a. large proportion of our population
and in many counties holding majority
of the wealth-have been, under the op-
GRAFTON of this ill-considered law, pre-
vented from engaging in any business
whatever or contributing in any way
to the development OF the resources or
the commercial Importance of the State,
That they should be free from the disa-
bility created by the law is at once the
dictate of justice and of selfinterest
We need the active employment of all
the capital our citizens have got, and Of
more than they have got, to place our
State in the position to which she is en-.
titled by her natural advantages and
the enterprise of her inhabitants
The recommendation relative to the
taxes on delinquent lands; the re-assess-
ment of lands the organization of the
militia the fostering of immigration,
and all the suggestions that occupy the
concluding half of the message are very
judicious and will receive the approba-
ton of all who desire to promote the in
terests and welfare of the State. With
especial cordiality, enhanced perhaps by
personal feeling upon the subject, (hav
ing spoken of this matter once before in
such a way as to bring upon ourselves
tho heavy hand of despotism,) do We
endorse the suggestion of the Governor
that the statue of Washington which
now adorns and, in one sense, paradox
cal as tmay appear, disgdces the capitol
grounds, be returned TO the State and
the institution to which it properly be-
longs, Its transportation to this city
was as we denounced it at tn, time,
"an act of vandalism" and will in all
history be quoted as an example of the
infamy earned by the lawless fanatic
who commanded the expedition that
tore it from its time honored pedestal and
transported it thither By all means let
it be returned as soon as possible, in or
der that, having made restitution of our
stolen adornments, we may no longer
hang our heads in shame for the honor
and honesty of our youthful C ommon-
wealth. If the taking of the statue had
been an act of legitimate warfare, which
it was not, General HUNTER had no right
to turn it over TO this State. He was an
United States officer commanding United
States troops, and any proper trophy
captured by him belonged to the United
States government, but, like thief, he
sought To conceal his plumber by COM
hitting it to the custody of West Vir
GINA, and we are gdr:iceps criminis with
him so long 81 we retain the stolen pro-
perty in our possession. Let the Cover
por's suggestion be acted upon and the
statue sent home as speedily as possible.
But however pleasant it may be to
agree with and approve the opinions of
those who are temporarily in authority
over rs, sincere desire for the prosper
ity of the State and an abiding love for
republican institutions compels MS TO dis
sent ia toto from the opinions expressed
and the recommendations contained in
the first part of the message, Governor
FOREMAN owes his elevation TO his pres
ent position to the same political party
that made ANDREW JOHNSON President
of the United States. Under these cir
cumstances it was to be expected that
be would manifest some degree of &C,
oordanco with the policY of the Federal
administration but so far is this from
the case that, in his brief discussion of
national affairs, the Governor assumes
an attitude Of hostility to the known
wishes of the chief Executive and subse,
quently recommends for adoption in this
State measures far more illiberal and
anti-republioan than the President has
seen fit to impose upon any Southern
State, He complains that there are
manifestations of spirit Of discomfort
and bitterness wildcat the same time
he approves Of the very things that
have produeed and are deepening this