The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-19
Governors Message.

fore YOU such INFORMATION as iS III NY
possession relating to the condition
of the State, aud 10 recommend such
measures as seem to me expediont. The
year lust closed was one of very gene
raj prosperity throughout our Common
wealth: business of all kinds was pros
ecutCd without serious reverse or tinsn-
cial disaster; peace prevailed, and the
health of the people was good beyond
that of former years. For all these
things we should be devoutly thankful
70 the All-wise and BeDeticent Ruler OF
the Upiyerse-rememter at the same
time, that the blessings conferred upon
Ms. and power for the time heiug repcsed
in our hands, should bs used for the ell
ovation aud protection of all-even the
most unfortunate and defenseless in
our midst. .
The financial affairs of the State are
clearly set forth in rhe annual reports
of the Auditor aud Treasurer, which are
herewith transmitted.
The Auiitor's statement of the trans
actions in his department during the
fiscal year ending September 80, lo69, is
as follows:
Amount remaining III 1lodSulJi W.
teher !, lS6S, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IL ,JoU III
Receipts from all sources during the
wear. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. oll'4ll ~
MAKING in all .s629.7lI 40
Disbursements during the same period h53,65i 26
Balance in the Treasury, Oct. |, 1861 1854 IA
The report of the Treasurer makes the
balance SlO,4S7 04 less than that of the
Auditor, showing the amount in the
Treasury TO be but 500, l67 10. This diff
ference is caused by provision in the
act of February "a, 1867. establishing
State Normal School. which authorized
the Secretary of the State to issue his
warrant on the Treasurer for the money
appropriated by that act, instead of d.
recting it to be drawn in the usual way
upon the warrant of the Auditor. In pur-
suance of this act the Secretary of the
State in 1867 issued his warrant upon the
Treasurer for Sl0,4S7 04. The Auditor
having 10 official knowledge of the
transaction, of course, could not re-
port it.
This apparent discrepancy in the
accounts of these two officers must con-
tnue in each succeeding report unless
law is passed authorizing them TO ad-
iast it. therefore suggest such legis-
lation as may be necessary for that pur-
pose.
The Auditor estimates the receipts
and disbursements for the current fiscal
year as follows:
Disbursements Observation-Disclosures. sji6,44s IL
Receipts Including bslanSe now on
h4nd) d).--.-..--..--.-.-.--... ...-.-.--' 'ff'~'''''
Iesv;pg q aefeieacv cvof..... S2I5s IL
These reports make a very satisfac-
tory showing of our finances at the
present time. But, notwithstanding
this fact, it will be we'll to observe great
caosion in making appropriations at
the present session of the Legislature.
The amounts necessary 10 prosecute
work upon the public buildings now in
process of construction; meet the cur
rent expenses of the State government
and institutions; continue our schools
in operation, and provide for other ie-
gjtlmats outiays, will absorb all the
iunis that will come into the Treasury,
ana in all probability create consid-
erlble deficit at the close of the present
fiscal year.
1t may be proper to state here that
although while we are liable for an
equitable proportion of the debt of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, prior to
the lst day of January, 1861, we have
so far contracted no State debt what
ever.
Many timely suggestions are made in
the Auditors report in relation TO the
public finances; and in my opinion the
most important of these suggestions
should be acted upon at once. In a
number of things the revenue laws of
the State are manifestly loose and i'm
perfect, and the public interest demands
that in such cases they should be
amended without unreasonable delay.
THE PUBLIC DFBT OF VIRGINIA.
The constitution of the State pro-
Vides that AN equitable proportion of
the public debt OF the Commonwealth
of Virginia, prior to the 1st day of jan
usry, in the year one thousand eight
huBdred and sixty one. shall be assumed
by this State; aud the Legislature shall
ascertain the same as soon as may be
practicable, and provide for the liquids-
tiOn thereof by sinking fund 50 utficient
20 pay the aceruing interest, aud redeem
the principal within thirty four years"
Heretofore the unsettled condition of
affairs in Virginia, growing out of the
war, has prevented any settlement of
this question by the authorities of the
two States; but as the relations of Vir-
ginia with the Federal Government are
likely soon to be fully restored, am of
opinion that steps should be taken leok-
ing to an early adjustment of this debt
upon fair and equitable terms.
The Legislature at its session in
lS67, on the 2Sth day of February,
adopted joint resolution which reads !:
That SO soon as the suit of Virginia
against this State, now pending in the
Supreme Court of the United States, to
recover jurisdiction over the counties of
Berkeley and jefferson, has been finally
disposed of, the Governor of this State
appoint three commissioners on the part
OF this State to treat with commission
ers appointed by the State of Virginia
upon the adjustment of the public debt
of said State" This suit is not yet set,
tied, and it will be for you to determine
whether it is best to defer action upon
the subject of the Virginia debt until
the question of the jurisdiction over
these counties is finally decided. Sec
ton sf IAN Ordinance to provide for
the formation of a new State" &C.,
passed by the Convention for the reor.
ganization of the Government of Vir.
glnis, August 20, 1861, provides that
Tho new State shall take upon itself a
just proportion of the public debt of the
Commonwealth Of Virginia, prior to the
hrst day of January, 1861, to be sscer,
tanned by charging to it ell State e1
penditures within the limits thereof
and just proportion of the ordinary
expenses Of the State government, sine,
any part of said debt was contracted
and deducting therefrom the money
- paio into the treasury of the Common
wealth from the counties include,