The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-08
VIRGINIA.
Governor Walkers Message to
the Legislature.
Recommendations as to ths r;..-~,- OF the
= Btah and tbs Reorganization of the Mi
lits-s Sharp Correspondence With
the Federal Authorities.
f1nnMoNn. Dec. I. 1870.

tanned at least two important features. First, his
Recommendations us 10 the nnances; ana,
next, the organization OF the militia. After
capyassing the various methods suggested for
the payment or the large public debt OF
the State, and all OF which he disapproves,
he says that the only sovereign remedy Is "a strict
fuldment OF our solemn obligations" He enter
tans little hope OF an Adjustment o. the debt with
West Virginia until the new administration takes
control OF affalrs and then he advises that the ques
ton submitted to arbitration, each State selecting
one disinterested arbitrator, ana lbese selecting
third, by whose decision both shall be bound.
Then recurring to the dshonorel credit OF
the State he says:-"The people OF this
Commonwealth win never permit the blighting
stain OF population TO tarnisn her escutcnion A
neglect, however 10 provi c the means Tor meeting
the obligations Of the State is as much Reputation
rs would he absolute refusal OF payment, and far
less manly. The great duty incumbent on you
OF organizing tie State government and
adapting our laws to the new constitution
may be regarded as reasonable excuse
for your non.action in this behalf at your last ses-
sion. But that excuse no longer avails. The time
has arrived when you must grapple with this ques-
ron. l do not urge an attempt Tor the immediate
resumption OF the payment OF interest upon our
public debt We are not yet prepared TO do so. nor
can 1t be reasonably expected CT us. What do
most earnestly urge Is that you take immediate
action looking to the resumption OF The payment OF
interest by ne State at certain DAY not IN the dis
tant future would recommend THAT provision be
Immediately nads for the funding or the whole
debt, principal aud interest, In new bonds OF the
character mentioned in my Message OF Inc Sth OF
March last, bearing date July /, 1871. The first
semiannual interest win then fall due January l.
le72, and N my opinion that is as early period
OF iull interest regularly. In my Judgment IL Is Tar
better TO postpone the commencement OF the
payment OF any interest 10 time when we are salts
ned THAI we shall not only be able TO commence but
continue TO pay it regularly and promptly when it
the wnole irreguary. what t We ail desire is the
speedy restoration OF the State credit and this can
only be accomplished by the prompt pay ment Of the
entered upon our DEBT When que. Partial payment
Will not ACCOMPLISH It, anu when we shall have once
viii most seriously damage, II not destroy, our
credit In March last was OF the Cpintsn that we
OF interest ON the LIST of july ls7l, but The
heavy expenses lncdens to the leorgani-
easn 81 r e se Of Se ,h hs
prevalence of bgnting drought in one secnon or
terrible floods n the James ana shenandoah rivers
nave so crippled our treasury aal oar people that
1s72, is necessary and advisable.
on the subject oil the militia the Governor thinks
there are peculiar reasons when now more than
ever demonstrate the necessity OF an organized and
armed militia lorce He then details the troubles
encount red in eJecting The negro squatters from
Iatior's and other farms In Norfolk county and
Eiizabetn city, where attcmots 10 execute wrs by
the sherir were met with armed resistance, and
where 1oreible election BY the civil au hori.
ties was likely to result In ploolshed. on the
25th OF March last, IN accordance vita Joint reso-
luton OF the General Assembly, which the Governor
transmitted to the PRESIDENT Of the United States lie
applied Tor troops to aid the civil authorities in en-
forcing the process OF law. In due time an order
came IRON the War Departmetment TO General
Canby then commanding TINS department, to lur.
nisn The aid requested. At my Suggestion General
Candy ordered troops to Inc assistance OF
the Sheriff OF Elizabeth CITY county first, VINO, with
the All thus rendered, successfully executed the
process OF the courts | entertained the hope that
the example thus set would have a beneficial efect
upon the illegal occupants OF Taylors farm, IN Nor.
1Olk amt WIFI TINS view adNiSeI some Qeay
In The latter case; but IN III was DISAPPOINTED.
la TIL meantime this state had been attached 10 the
ID, partment OF the East and TO It's commander
General IRWIN Mcdowell applied for aid for the
Sheriff of Norfolk county. On the 3lst of May last
In response TO my application troops were ordered
from fortress Monroe to the assistance oil the Shetn
following. On the I'D day OF June received from
General Barry commanding at Fortress Monroe, a
telegram, OF which the following is copy
FORTRESS MONROE June %. 10
To His Excelency GILBERT C. WALKER, Governor OF
In ooedience a tecgraphlc order from the Hon.
Secretary OF War have ihs day recalled the
Of Nor Ok County " ''' WILLIAM + BAKKf.
And at ABOUT the same time ! received from the
Sheriff OF Norfolk county the following tc.egram:-
To His E1ceIency G. C. WAL1ER, Governor Of vir-
ssmanan United States force. sent e
Sheriff any further assistance. must out
the law and exeeue The balance q the writsS have aus
st6.so A. NJ I. W. MAYHEM, sheriff.
lat once teegraphed the sheriff to hold his posi-
tion but without bloJdshed II possible. The Gov
ernor then telegraphed copies OF the above messages
- the Hon. secretary OF War; concluding his
despatch Us foloWS:-
Ihave cause this withdrawal of the
The military forces OF the United States III render the
will booishei heretofore forwarded to
department. department
Been meds or 20 the aid o. the unei
il to be done Mt once An immediate answer by tee
graz" c G. wALkER, GoSeTnar OF Virginia
To this he received the next day the following
reply
To His Ercellency Governor G. {. WALKER:
Preden and an directed By the Secretary Of War TO s
r. b. iowSsGSD S hd1uan General
Referring to the above the Governor says:-No
explanation whatever OF this extraordinary ransac-
ton has ever been voucnsafed 10 me. The failure
TO respond to my respectful inquiry Tor the causes OF
this action and tile silence upon that subject which
has ever since been maintained clearly demonstrate
That IL was without Justhcauon, pailation or eX-
cnse. feel bound TO say that IN view OF
all The circumstances, the sudden withdrawal OF
these troops, while IN the midst oil the performance
of the delicate duty TO winch tney lad been as
signed, Ia accordance with all order from the Presi
dent himself, without any notification to or con-
s ,,l win me, endangerng, as It did, the
peace OF the community, was, III my opinion
an act OF Official di1courtesy ana manifestation OF
indifference 10 possible consequences Of the gavest
chara ter without "a parallel in the hist ny OF the
country, II the original order for the assignment of
Its revocaton under the circumstances was
iLeXcusaDy wrong. 70 subject the Common
Wch III OF niIren 10 inc danger OF
further indgDity, by requesting the AID OF
federal troops although protection against domestic
violence Is OF the guarantees OF the constitution
OF the United states to the several States. on
Application OF the Legislature, or Executive
when the Legislature caDnOt be convened, and
alnough the acts OF Congre s. passed IN pursuance
thereof deYOlved upon the President the
duty OF executing this guarantee when the necessity
Is made known TO him through the Legislature or
Exc. utle or state, set The lessons taught by our
experience admouish Us that constitutional
guarantees ana statutory mandates are oil ttic ayall
when partlZan zeal usurDs The place and functions
OF Official lnte gritty.
The settlement or the boundary between Maryland
Virginia Is alluded 10 matter OF Importance
to prevent q recurrence OF The oyster difficulties.
An additional number OF commissioners 10 those
already provided for Ivy law u recommended,
that the commission from virginia may
equal tnat appointed by Maryan He
wants to appOinL commission settle