Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-01-25
WEST VIRGINIA.
Governors Message.


twelve columns of the newspapers, from which
we condense the following =
Finances.
The statement corresponds with that of the
Auditor given elsewhere.
Public Debt Of Virginia.
The Governor recommends early action to-
wards settling the proportion of West Virginia
on the basis of section nine of the Ordinance
of August Goth 1861, as follows:
"TLe new State shall take upon itself
Just proportion of tile public debt of the Com
monweal,h of Virginia, prior to the first day
of January, 1861, to lie ascertaiued by charg-
ing to it all State expenditures within the
limits thereof and just proportion of the
ordinary expenses of the State government,
since any part of said debt was contracted
and dcducting therefrom the moneys paid
into the treasury of the Commonwealth from
the counties included within the said new
State during the same period"
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The Commissioners appointed to assess the
property of Railroad Companies put tho value
of the property of the Baltimore and Ohio
! Company at SIS $685. 900. The Governor be-
lieves the Company will pay the State taxes
levied under this valuation by the Goth of
January. The back taxes due the State were
settled by a conference whereby the State
received $4,000 in lieu of s73, 500 which
had been assessed. The Governor recon-
nsuds an appropriation by the State TO carry
on the litigation pending to determine whether
the Company is liable to pay the taxes levied
by county.
Permanent Scat Of Government.
"By the act of February 90, 1869, the
permanent seat of government for this State
was located at the town of Charleston, in tile
county of KanaWha. The second section of
the act authorizes the Governor to elect and
secure suitable buildings within the corporate
! limits of said town for the State Executive
Offices also for the Library and for the ac-
commodation of both branches of the Legis>
lature and the Supreme Court of Appeals ;
but as the last section provides that the act
shall not take effect until the LIST day of April,
1870, did not feel that 1 had as yet power
to make definite arrangements for the pur-
poses mentioned. 1 deemed it my duty, how
ever, to further as far as possible what seemed
to be the intention of the Legislature. With
this view have corresponded with prominent
1
them 10 say that until the Capitol building
now being erected is finished, ample accom-
modations will be provided in the town for
the State officers. Legislature, Supreme Court
of Appeals and State Library. by the time
fixed in the act Tor the removal Of the scat of
government.
Rcyist,ation Lao.
The Governor avoids any responsibility in
! IL Al. =.
odious law, but refers the whole inject to the
Legislature, in conclusion as follows:
But you, having been chosen but recently
by the voters OF the State. and coming directly
from the different counties, will have in your
possession more information in regard to the
practical working of our election law, than
can possibly have. 1t will be for you to do
termine, after careful examination of the
facts before you, What notifications, if any,
are needed in the present mode Of registration.
1 The Constitution gives you entire control over
the whole subject, allowing you to provide
for registry OF voters or not as in your judg
ment may seem best. The same Instrument
makes it imperative on you TO pass such laws
as may be necessary and proper to prevent
intimidation, disorder or violence at the polls,
and corruption and fraud in voting
The experience of other States seems to
establish the fact that tho most certain method
of doing this, is thorough and impartial
registration of the legal voters Immediately
preceding the time of holding elections.
"Ths much is certain that the highest
| interests Of the State are best promoted; a
more ready obedience to the laws secured and
better spirit inspired among the people,
! when all the citizens, without distinction of
party, are protected in the peaceful and lawful
exercise of their right to vote and when the
purity of the ballot-box is most vigilantly
! guarded"
Disabilities.
The Governor is decidedly "lct up" 10 tens
as the following extract indicates
There seems to be very general convic-
ton in the minds Of the people that the acts
imposing what are known as the attorneys
and teachers test oa,hs should be repealed
| Numbers of persons engaged in these pro-
LESSONS have already been relieved from their
operation. In view of this fact, and the re-
moteness of the circumstances which at frs.
required the passage of the laws. their con-
tinuance in the case Of remaining individuals
seems to be inexpedient. l therefore recon-
mend their repeal. There are numbers of
citizens in whose judgment have great con-
fidence. who believe that the time has not vet
come Tor the repeal OF what is known as tho
suitors'~ test oath still think the wisd ON of
its further continuance on the statute book is
questionable it is mparativey imperative,
and besides it would seem that tho necessity
for it hns.~in a great measure, passed away.
Upon the question of amending the Con-
sttuton to restore the PRIVILEGES of
citizenship to those now DISTINGUISHED. there
is much difference Of opinion the only diff
ferenceS. however, as a general thing, are as
to the mode and time of restoration. as there
are but few who desire disfranchisement to be
perpetual. The question is not without its
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