Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-12-10
Virginia.
Meeting Of the Legislatwe-G Governors Mes
sage.


RICHMOND. December The Legislature
met this morning, and the message of Cover
nor Walker was read He says: Never before,
in the history of the Commonwealth, has Le-
gislature assembled npon which devolvcl grs-
yer responsibilities than upon you.
On the finances, he reiterates his views ex-
pressed in his inaugural on the Sth Of March
last. He is strengthened in the correctness of
the recommendations then made, aud says they
have been heartily endorsed by the best fnan-
ciers both in this country and England.
Had the Legislature promptly adopted them
the State debt would have been reduced over
ten millions of dollars, and the deprecated
credit advanced from fifty to ninety cents IN
the dollar. In regard to the settlement Of the
debt between Virginia aud West Virginia, he
says the obvious meaning and intent Of all le-
gislation on this subject by each State is that
what amount the State of West Virginia ought
to assume should be paid into the Treasury Of
the State of Virginia to be by her used in the
extinguiShmeut of the original debt.
The bonds are the bonds of Virginia, not Of
West Virginia, and to the Treasury Of Virginia
do the creditors look for the payment Of their
debts. There is but one sovereign remedy Tor
the financial evil that ailii5ts Us, and in his
opinion, that remedy is strict fultiIment
of our solemn obligations. The better course
to be pursued is for both States to submit the
whole question to arbitration. If all your hon
orable means fail, You have but one remedy
left you-the Supreme court Of the United
States.
On the organization Of the State militia he
speaks at great lcugtha aud says that if. in the
late municipal difficulties, he had had control
of single company of well organized aud
equipped militia, the Executive would have
been enabled to have quelled that disgraceful
and most unjustlfabIe Instruction against the
laws Of the Commonwealth
In regard to certain farms in iiiewater Nir-
GINA, and on which, after the var, by author
ity of the Ere, Imam 5 Bureau. large number
of colored people had settled, aud f,v whose
removal a military force ha become necessary,
the Governor is appointed 4 detachment Of
troops which had been sent 10y General Barry
from Fortress Monroe, to assist the Sheriff Of
Norfolk county, was. without an explanation,
recalled. He says: feel bound to say, in
view Of the circumstances, the sudden with
drlwa Of these troops endangering the lives
of our officers and citizens and the peace of
the community, was. in my opinion, an act of
official aiscourtesy and a manifestation Of in
difference of the gravest character, without a
parallel in the history of this country.
He also discourses on the subject of the bouu-
dairy line of the State; on the peniten;iary, and
concludes in the following characteristic style :
d" 10 obedience to law. in the maintenance Of
order and the performance Of all the duties ap-
pertaining to good citizenship. the people Of
Virginia challenge comparison with any State
in the Union. Everywhere within the broad
limits of the Commonwealth every citizen is
safe with his life, liberty aud pursuit Of hap
piuess.
Emerging from the terrible ordeal Of four
years baptism of blood, stripped Of everything
save incorrupt honor, the people of this Com
monweath have again resumed their place in
the Union of their fathers, with an earnest
purpose and fixed determination to fulfil all
the obligations of American citizens. More
cannot be required of them; less they viii not
perform.