Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-12-14


in some degree aid in lis maintenance
Our schools are now supported by a tax
upon property and a per capita or capita
ton tax Of one dollar But scarcsly one
half of this latter tax is collected, nor un
der oar present constiiu ton aud laws is il
possible TO ollect it. Aud yet this tax
is the most universal in its application
of all car taxes, and if collected would
yield half the amount necessary to be
raised by the State for the support of
schools. And 1 ana decidedly of the
opinion that it is not only right and just,
out that it is our duty to devise some
means for the effectual collection of this
tax, and | am also of the opinion that
it ought to be double in amount To
this end | respectfully recommend the
amendment Of the constitution so as to
provide fof the levy and collection anuu-
ally of capitatien tax Of two dollars only;
to be devoted exclusively to the supports
and maintenance of schools ana prohibit
any and every citizen from voting at any
election whe does not pay this tax. 1t
| would be the most thoroughly collected
tax imposed, would yield larger sum
than our present eapitation and property
tax together, and would be constantly
increasing from year to year. Thus
property might be relieved entirely from
taxation by the State for the maintenance
Of the system, and its burthens be more
equally and equitably distributed among
its benefciaries. In this connection de-
sire to speak of. -
TIE CONGRESS IoNAL LAND SCRIP.
b i isl subject of regret to me that
|'did not timmed lately upon the organiza-
ton. Of civil government in = the State
proceed under the act ofT867 to obtain
and sell this scrip and invest the
proceeds ia State or other solvent bonds.
Had [ done SO, | believe better price
would have been realized than is posi- BILE
now. and the interest on the sum OBTAIN
ed wou Id have amounted to twenty or
twenty five thousand dollars. But at
that time, however, thought it advisa-
BILE to re fer the subject to the Generar
Assembly. (See joint resolution, p. %,
$4,000 Instead of providing for the
immediate sale of the scrip and the in
yes tment of the proceeds in interest
bearing securities. the attention of the
General Assembly became absorbed with
the question as to what institution or in
situations ought to receive the fund, and
the result was that nothing at III was &C.
| complished The scrip is still on hand !,
subject to the order of the General As
sembly. and trust there will be no fur
Their delay in its conversion into State
bonds or other six per cent. in terest pay
ing securities AS to what institution it
shall ultimately be given, can be deter
miued afterward But in this connection
| beg to reiterate the recommend alton
made in my message of the Sth Of March,
1870. as follows: Il w,uli suggest, as
a subject worthy of the serious and pro-
found consideration of the General AS
sembly, the proprioty and feasibility Of
dividing this fuud-appropriating one
portion of it to that one of colleges which,
in your judgment, you may designate.
and the other portion to college or high
school devoted exclusively to the educa-
tioa of our colored people.
The colored people of our State,
are, equal with the whito, clothed with
The elective franchise. In order that
they may lntelligently exercise that
right, the opportunity for education should,
under our Constitution must, be afforded
them. This cannot, however, be accom-.
! plished by any system of mixed schools.
Each race mist be provided for separate
| ". | have in years past, and under the
most favorable circumstances, witnessed
fair aud impartial trial of the experi-
uept, and it proved an utter failure
The true Interests of the colorcd people
themselves demand that they should be
provided with seperate schools. While
they are entitled, under our Constitution
10 an equal participation in the benefits
of free common school system, I vou Id
extend to them inducements and incen-
lives to advancement in mental and moral
development, by the establishment of a
college or university as above suggested,
wherein shall be taught all tho higher
branches of use full knowledge
y -
| - r.-,<s...- -,
| ... = FINANCES. r'
| On the 9Th ofMarch; 1870, I submit
ted to the General Assembly very full
statement of the public debt of the State
its orig ir, nature and amount, togeth-
er with my own views Of the proper poll
cy to be pursued. The opinions then
| expressed were reiterated and endorsed
in ny last annual message; aud desire
nov to say that much study and refe0-
tion since that time-have served but to
strengthen and confirm my conviction of
their soundness. While most Of the rec
concentrations were in time sanctioned ply
the General Assembly, yet the efficacy and
usefulness of some of them were some
what lessened by the delays in their
adoption. The liability Of this State for
the whole debt contracted prior to the
late war. and the duty of West Virginia
to assume her just proportion of it, and
pay that proportion into our treasury, 10
be BY US disbursed in liquidatipg the
principle OF that debt, finds unequivocai
sanction in the organic aat authorizing
the organization Of the State of West
Virginia and the constitution adopted
by her, as well as the constitution ratified
by the people of this State in 1869, and
now in full force. But the course pur-
sued by West Virg mia, and the probable
delays of a settlement with her, together
with the intmation, if not direct asser-
ton, of Ler authorities that it would be