The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1871-03-16


this minority is wholly at variance with
the spirit Of our Republican institutions.
and If we ever lose our boosted freedom it
will be when wo forget that others have
rights as well as ourselves. Our written
Constitution and the laws made in pursu-
anco thoreof, arc intended to afford ample
projection to the rights Of oil citizens alike
and II It fail in this respect in the slightest
degree. surely all should consent to correct
tho wrong by amending it. 1t is my pti'
mary duty to see that the constitution DO
preserved inviolate, and the laws be faith.
fully executed. It is my province neither
to make laws nor to coustruc them except
SO far as authorized to do so The Legis-
Ilatiye and Judicial Departments Of the
Government hayc their well defined and
and independent powers and limitations,
and their appropriate functions must not
DO invaded by the Executive Department.
Tho continued advancement Of our peo.
pie 10 wealth. and in the arts Of civilized
life, demand that as small proportion of
their means shall be withdrawn from the
productive forms Of industry in the way
Of taxes as is compatible with the require
ments Of we'll organized Government
The position that heavy taxation is ultim-
atoly no loss or injuryt to people, from
tho fact that the money drawn from them
in this way is refunded BY its expenditure
among them. is a dangerous fallacy. Ey-
cry dollar unnecessarily collected as tax
is the conversion Of so much productive
resources in ncn productive expenditure.
In view Of the fact that honor aud our
Constitution alike require US to assume or
pay IN equitable portion Of the old debt
ofVirginia. and Of tho probable increase
of our public burdens from this cause, it
will be absolutely necessary that our ordi-
nary expenditures shall be reduced to the
lowest amounts that our necessities will per-
nit. That the State may promptly meet
all of its obligations and the machinery Of
its government be kept in proper motion.
officials having charge Of the collection Of
tho public dues, must be required strictly
aud accurately to account for all moneys
with which they arc chargcable.
A system ofpubIic instruction has be-
come part of the policy of nearly all tho
States Of the Union. This will always re-
quire considerable outlay Of money, but
it is believed that q system. simpler and
better adapted to the peculiar character Of
our State, can be devised that will be less
expensive and moro satisfactory 10 its re-
suits. While eau have no voice in the
imposition Of taxes, it will be my care to
sec that the money appropriated by tho
Legislature from time to time shall be hon
cstly used for the purposes intended. 1t
is most dishonorable to think that the
public money Gun be controlled or-disposed
of with less caution OF care than VIC en-.
ploy in our private affairs.
The liberal and enlightened policy of the
Legislature which has recently adjourned,
looking to the full and complete cufran-
chisemcnt of sll the citizens Of the State.
will doubtless DO received with lively salts.
faction BY the masses Of the people For
long time large class OF our citizens
have been denied al participation in pub
lie affairs Much dissatisfaction aud dis
content have been the natural result In
our little State we could i'll afford to spare
the intelligence and hearty cooperation Of
any Of our people, in measures having the
common GOOD in view. The missions and
i'll will aroused by tho late unhappy strug.
gle in the country have passed away
With tue disappearance Of uuwiso political
distraction that have existed among our
people, will come an era of good feeling
and harmony which will be fruitful Of the
happiest results, and l confidently believe
that those who are then enfranchised will
enter with generous rivalry into that no.
bic struggle with their follow. citizens to
secure those ends which will promote tho
highest good. consider myself most for
tunatc in tho belief that the suspicious
results which arc now to follow this enfran-
chisement will be fully realized during my
term Of Office.
Our State is small, it is true, get its po-
Sition and great natural resources must. in
time, attract to US busy, active and en-
terprisiug population. With two great
lines of trade and travel, from the west to
the east; across her territory, the one 10
successful operation and the other soon to
take its legitimate position among the great
thoroughfares Of the country, with large
and valuable mineral deposits; with the
largest supply Of valuable timber in the
central part Of the Union; with soil that
yields ample returns from the active labor
Oftho farmer, with almost unsurpassed ad-
vantagcs for grazing and raising stock Of
all kinds, and with o genial climate, the
State must take no mean rank among her