The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-01-17

II
homes at all, except when called into ac-
tive service, and saves them much time
that is wasted and the many annoy
ances to which they are subjected in the
enforcement of tie existing law. AS it
seems that some organization is deemed
indispensable, commend the one here
proposed as worthy of your c9nsidera-
| tion.
REPORT OF QUARTERMAsTER GENERAL,
The Quartermaster Generals report
shows the transactions of his Office. In
addition'to his regular duties have com
mitted to this officer the responsibility
| of paying the companies of State Scouts
and Guards that have been organized
from time to time during the war for the
protection of the border; aud it may be
seen from his report that he has paid
ont for this purpose, since the organiza-
ton of the State, the sum of S2l3,9SS, 40.
| 1t will also he seen that in pursuance of
an act passed February q, 1865, aud by
nv direction, he has paid to the militia
of Upshur county, who were captured
and carried off to Southern prisons in
| 1868. the sum of S6,950,S5 These sums
added make All aggregate OF S22O, O,939,27, /,
which has been expended as a matter OF
necessity in.the efforts toprotect the 10y
al people in the border counties. The
State troops who were thus paid, sup.
piled the places of an equal number of
United States troops, who otherwise
would havo been required for the same
service, and, therefore, in my Judgment,
the money so paid constitutes a just
claim against the government of the
United States. / have caused the evil
dence of these payments to be prepared
in properand convenient foIm; and
as it is expected that applica
ton will be made to Congress
for the reimbursement of claims
of this character, 1 recommend that if,
after due investigation, you concur with
me, you adopt resolutions setting forth
the Justice of the claim, and requesting
Congress to provide for its payment.
MILITIA CLAIMS.
The Board of Claims, consisting of the
Auditor, Adjutant General and Quarter
| master General, constituted by an act
passed February %, 1865, have made
their report, which is herewith commu-
nicated 1t may be seen that the Board
has reported in favor of the justice of
claims amounting in the aggregate to
s14s, ,339 90, all OF which have grown out
of the military transactions within the
State during the war The report Is
submitted for your consideration. III
you shall be of the opinion that these
claims should be paid, provision should
be made therefor
FREE SCHOOLS.
The report of the State Superintendent
of Free Schools will be found among the
documents herewith communicated. Its
completion was unavoidably delayed TO
so late an hour that / have had little
time for its examination. Allow me,
however, to call your attention to that
part of the report in which the necessity
for normal schools is discussed. The
want of competent teachers Is seriously
felt throughout the State, and is one of
the greatest difficulties in the way OF
putting into successful operation our
free school system, and indeed OF keep
ing up primary schools OF any character
whatever Normal schools may be made
the means of frelievingus of this difficulty
by affording special facilities to those
who desire to teach, of preparing them
selves for the arduous and important du'
ties of their vocation Without refer
ring further to this report, invoke the
fostering care of the Legislature over
that of which it treats, and which may
be made the great power for the eleVa.
ton of the masses-the free schools OF
our State.
IMMIGRATION.
The report of the Commissioner OF I'm
migration is herewith transmitted. 1t IS
an able and interesting document, and
discusses most thoroughly the subject of
immigration and the great benefit that
must result to the State from Its proper
encouragement 1t also contains lmpor-
tant suggestions which / trust will be
duly considered and responded TO by the
LEGISLATURE. We cannot hope for the
development of the resources and capac-
tiles of our State until we secure the in-
fux of additional population and capital
This can be accomplished by making
known through intelligent and energetic
agents the inducements there areto come
here. and by giving assurances of far
return for labor and capital expended -
If we fail to take proper action, Immi-
grants will pass us by and go to states
that have adopted n more liberal and en-
lightened policy, -,
The Office of Commissioner, with
ont reasonable compensation, as IS the
case under existing law, will not effect
much. The competent incumbent OF the
office has done all tina: he could do with
the meagre means at his command to III
duce immigration into Our State, but be
has been able to do little more than to
Law the foundation for future action; and
unless his efforts are seconded by the
Legislature, what he has done may !go
for naught. 1t may be seen from his re
mort that lie has expended considerable
of his own means, aud has incurred other
ALLEGATIONS Il think that the Leglsla
ture should not only provide for these
exnenditures and obligations, but should
make sucl provision for the future as will
mako the Office effective for the purpose
of its creation, or should abolish 1t alto
gether.
UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION Al PARIS.
In connection with this subject, it is
nroper that | should mention the Uni.
Tersal Exhibition to be opened at Paris,
France. in April, 1867, which is referred
to at considerable length in the report of
tbe Commissioner This State is invited
TO participate in that Exhibition, and it
is nrred that, if the mineral, agricultu-
-, ,foc+nra1 and other productions