The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-08


courts. The sheriff is of opinion, and ]
doubt not correctly, that any posse he corllt
summon in the county would be insufficient
and unavailing. A military force is re-
quired but until you authorize the organ
ization of one, 1 am powerless to render
him the required aid. cannot consent tc
subject the Commonwealth or myself to the
danger OF any further indignity by request
ing the aid of Federal troops. Although
protection "against domestic violence" " is
one of the guarantees of the Constitution
Of the United States to the several States,
:" on APPLICATION of the Legislature or Execu.
tive (when the Legislature cannot be con-
vened)," and although the acts of Congress
passed in pursuance thereof devolve upon
the President the duty Of executing this
guaranty when the necessity is made known
to him through the Legislature or Execll-
tive of State, yet the lessons taught by
our recent experience admonish us that
constitutional guarantees and statutory man.
dates are of little avail when partisan zeal
usurps the place and functions of official
integrity. --.------...--~.--.-- -....----
We must rely in the future solely upon
ourselves for the maintenance of order and
fears of our ability in that behalf. But a
thorough organization of our militia is most
essential. We shall then be prepared for
any and every exigency, whenever and
wherever it may arise. !,
= BOUNDARY LINES.
By a. joint resolution approved June 27th
last the Governor was requested TO apply
to the proper officer of the United States
Government for the assignment of COM
petent corps Of surveyors to the duty of
a rfoi n NJ inp ho tr1,a ho,, 10,
lines between the State Of Virginia and the
States Of Maryland, North Carolina, and
Tennessee, and authorizing him to appoint
two commissioners on the part Of the State,
"whose duty it shall be to meet, confer,
and act with such corps of surveyors and
like commissioners on behalf Of other
States." Before action had been taken
under this resolution controversy arose
between our oyster police and certain citi-
zens of Maryland as to the right of the lat
ter to oyster in waters south of certain
conventional line heretofore established by
the mutual agreement Of the oyster police
of the two States, and known as the David
son-Lovitt line. This controversy has been
satisfactorily settled by mutual agreement
between the Governors Of the two States to
observe and maintain this conventional line
until the real boundary line between the
two States can be asccrtained and finally
settled. His EXcellency the Governor of
Maryland has informed ME Of the appoint
lnent by his State Of three commissioners
to settle this question Of boundary line.
The prompt action Of Governor Bowie in
this matter, as we'll as the manly and states
manlike course pursued by him in the adj.
iustment Of the controversy before men,
toned, deserves the highest commendation.
1t will tend to preserve and cement the
friendship which has so long existed be-
tween the people Of these States.
The joint resolution above named only
authorized the appointment of two COM
missioners on behalf of Virginia, which. I
presume, was an oversight. The grave i'm
portance of the question at issue, and the
great magnitude of the rights and interests
involved. as well as proper respect for
the authorities of our sister State, appear
ed to me to demand that Virginia should be
represented by commission Of equal num-
Der and ability with that Of Maryland.
Hence I have appointed a commission of
three eminent citizens of this State, who
have already entered upon the discharge OF
the responsible duties devoyed upon them.
trust that this action will meet with your
approval.
| have also addressed q communication
to the Chief of the United States coast sur
yey, requesting the assignment OF a corps
Of surveyors, as provided in your joint res
olution, together with maps of the local..
ties to be surveyed. The maps have been
promptly furnished, and | presume that a
corps Of surveyors will be soon assigned to
this duty.
/ have transmitted copies of your joint
resolution to the Governors of North Caro-
lima and Tennessee, and requested like aC-
tion on the part Of those States. Your joint
resolution evidently contemplates the ap-
Dointment of but one set of commissioners
on behalf of this State to adjust the Mort h
Carolina and Tennessee line, rs we'll as the
Maryland line. This may be found to be
impractlcable, or, at least, attended with
much delay. In view of these very posi-
BILE contingencies, would respectfully re-
commend that the joint resolution be so
amended as to authorize the appointment
of other commissioners to adjust the North
Carolina and Tennessee line, and that the
number of commissioners be increased to
three. 1t would also appear to me advisa-
BILE that the compensation of the commits
sioners should be determined, and that
suitable provision be made for defraying
the other expenses which will be necessa-
rily incurred in the prosecution and settle
ment of these important questions.
PEN1TENTIARy.
The report of the Board Of Directors of
the penitentiary exhibits In detail the works
ings of that institution since the present
energetic superintendent assumed control
of it. While there has been a slight in
crease in the number OF prisoners, the very
great improvement in its financial condi-
ton may well be the subject Of congratula-
ton. ] have no doubt that, in the language
al 80
we may indulge the hope that the peni-
tentiary will soon not only cease to be an
expense, but will become a source of rev.
enue to the State" ] respectfully call your
attention to my views and recommends
tions upon this subject, as expressed in my
message of the Sth of February last. In
response thereto the Legislature passed an
act entitled "an act to authorize the Gov
ernor to appoint a commission in relation
to the sale and removal of the peniten-
tiary," which was approved April 23d last.
Commissioners were appointed under this
act, who, after thorough examination oi
the whole subject, made their report, which
was submitted for your consideration at
YOUR adjourned session, In October last.
fully concur in the conclusions expressed
in this report. 1t is imperatiyely demanded
that the present penitentiarv shall be either
remoQeleu, lnpIofeu, anu enlA Seu. q
urged by the Board Of Directors and the
Superintendent or that it shall be solo
and new one built of capacity and fit
ness commensurate with our present anc
prospective wants. The outlay in either
case need not be heavy, and in no sense
comparable to the benefits it would confer
Under an act approved April %, 1870, en-
titled san act to authorize the Governor u
hire out the convicts in the penitentiary fol
work in stone quarries, or for other suita
bic labor" over three hundred prisoner
| have been contracted to labor upon thu
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad at twenty
five cents per day, net; that is, the con
tractor boards, clothes, guards, and care
for the prisoners at his own expense, ant
repays the State any expense incurred il