The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-06
summary of Governor PeIrpOint,s
MessNge to the Old Virginia LesiS.


Message to the Old Virginia LesiS.
lature.
RICHMOND, VA, Dec. 3.-The message
of the Governor of Virginia was deliv-
cred to-day 10 the Legislature, which
met at noon and adjourned until to-
morrow for want of quorum. The
message, RfteE referring to the causes
they had for congratulation and thanks,
says that all the agencies provided for
the enforcement of the laws were in
successful operation, and no serious
disturbance of the public peace had oc-
CURED. The financial operations for
the last year We're Herewith transmit
ted, as well as the report of the Treas
urer. Taking the income of the last
year as basis of estimate, there would
be received for the year ending Septem-
Der, 1867, the sum of 81, ,563, ,2S6 income.
he estimated the expenses up to Octo-
ber lst, 1867, at $4,000, which would
leave n balance of 81, ,O53, ,2s6. There was
nothing so important to devote their
surplus money 10, as to the payment of
the interest of the public debt, the bal
ance of which interest was to be paid
amounting to "a, 1OO,O59 97. An assess
ment on real and personal property of
about 46 cents on the 500, making al
together GO cents on the $lOO income,
would be required for necessary eX-
penses. There had been some talk of
repudiating the public debt. No step
could be more prejudiCial to all future
interests as the serious discussion of
that subject, destroying the outside
credlt OF the State, and preventing the
influx of capital. Should such a step
be etAken, no gentleman would be anx-
1ous thereafter to be recognized as n
Nirginian. They might hope for "a bet
ter harvest this year than last, which
would banish the idea of repudiation.
West Virginia owes to-day, by the
terms OF her division, her fair share of
the debt. To wait until the Commits
sioners would settle the matter would
not be good policy. He recommended
the sale of the State stock in the James
River Canal, turnpikes. bridges. LEc.,
and in railroads not completed. Also,
that reform should be effected in the
oyster law. The criminal expenses
were largely increasing. He pointed
out an example how to diminish them,
and how the administration of Justice
could be fairly dealt.
1t was to be regretted that the State
could not contribute more liberallV to
education to make the freedman n use
tul member of society. He should be
educated. He was gratified to see that
sum of money had been raised in the
North for the purpose, and that schools
were in successful operation. The coll
ored man labored under great disad-
vantages. When he had as many in
ducements to work as the white man,
doubtless he would work, and he was
pleased to hnd that many of the best
men seemed disposed to give him a fair
chance. 1t was very desirable, hOwev-
er, to induce foreign emigration. He
recommended them to correct existing
abuses in the management of railroad
companies, SO as to reduce the rates to
the lowest remunerative standard.
# Sfnt rNFN
States has forwarded to him n joint res
Olution of Congress, proposing an
amendment to the Constitution OF the
United States, which he submitted to
them, the President disappearing of it,
and insisting on the immediate admis-
sion ofloyal representatives duly elect
ed. Some controversy had taken place
as to what was meant bv loynl, some
claiming that it was those who took the
prescribed oath. The elections had how
ever, resulted i'll a decisive majority In
favor OF the Congressional view. An
effort was made to induce the LeCislu-
lures in some States to reject the consti-
iutional amendment, hoping to be more
successful in the future contest; but he
thought 1t very unlikely that such
would be the result. The people of the
South should not be again beguiled by
their professed friends at the North,
The late election showed that Congress
was supported by large majority of
the people.
He thought there were no hopes of
better terms. No political status had
yet been given to those who had been in
arms against the Government. Com
greSs had denied the assumed right of
the President to settle that status. No
disgrace could be incurred by accepting
the proposed terms, they were not
nearly so hard as anticipated. Person
and property were sacred, and the right
of suffrage was left to them. Should
they not accept the Amendment, the
result was uncertain. He left the whole
subject with them, invoking Divine
blessings on their deliberations.