Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-12-06
Governors Mes
sage,

Virginia---The Governors Mes
sage,
The Virginia Legislature assembled on
Wednesday last, 1t. Governor Marye presi-
ding in the Senate, and Speaker Hanger re-
Stunning his seat in the House After the
reading Of the Governors message, resolu-
lions Of respect to the memory Of Mr.. Gree
ley, offered by colored Republicans in both
houses were adopted and the Legislature
adjourned.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The Governor in his message first touch
es on the subject Of education, and takes oc-
casien in praising the advance q the State
in education to pay high compliment to
the University of Va. He thinks her geo.
graphical position, climate and historical po-
sition will make Virginia the great educa.
ting State Of the Union.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
He suggests amendments to the conssitu-
ton SO as to make tho payment of 81 tax
(the amount to 60 to the educational fund J
and the exhibition of certificate at the polls,
that the tax has been paid, requisite to ena.
BILE voter to deposit his ballot. lie also
urges May instead Of November as the time
for the election of State officers
THE RE-AssEssMRNT
OF the proposition fer re-assc.sment Of
the lands of the State he says:
What is needed, and what We have not
yet had, is fair, just and equal valuation
Of tho property in the Commonwealth !; but
this cannot be attained by re-assessment.
even if the Legislature bad the undoubted
authority to order it. It can only be &C.
complished by some plan of equalization,
which shall as near as possible secure the as
sesament Of all property at its real value, as
prescribed in the Constitution.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The Governor decidedly opposes the
scheme Of national aid to the James River
amp Kanawha Canal and calls. the arguments
in favor Of it '.thread-bare,' and says that
if the Legislature will give authority for it $
complete and absolute transfer;
Lam hopeful of an opportunity within the
next twelve months of secusing such COM
bination of private capital and ability as
willsundertake and insure the completion of
this great Improvement, which has been the
dream Of our ancestors and contributes large
y to the hopes entertained by ourselves.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Governor urges increased accommo-
dations for the insane, but opposes the en-.
largement Of either Of the present Eastern
or Western Asylums. The pcnitentiary be
says costs the State just 10000, being
$4,000 less than last year. He suggests
reformatory prison for the young.
We have already published the most i'm
portant facts 10 the State officers reports
accompanying the Governors message.
VIRGINIA FARMERS CONVENTION - The
farmers conven ton Of Virginia, recently in
session at Petersburg, does not seem to have
resulted in anything decisive or practical. =
There was, according to tho Richmond Dis
patch, neither harmony or good feeling in
the convention. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, upon
being elected president of the State society
gave some good advice. He recommended
Economy, industry, close husbandry. the
saving Of everything, the wasting of nothing,
and filling we'll small area, rather than
skimming unfruitfully large one. These
rules will take care of the farm and insure
it's production. But then the farmer mus,
purge himself from debt. Hs is the last
man that should owe anything, especially
now, when shaving cuts 50 near the bone,
rising upwards from ten to fifteen per cent
or more. No business will stand up under
such weight of interest that is not specula
tive. The farmer knows no such thing as
speculation, and he should cut loose from all
devices and shifts Of speculative character
He cannot thrive, be cannot be happy,
while harassed by debt, with its rap
id accumulation through the high rates for
the use of money in these timas.
The Richmond (Va.) Wing says:
Nha oopuaOt,,c of foru.ox,
did not accomplish one Of the main objects
for which it was called, viz, to effect an or
ganization Of the farmers of Virginia. In.
stead Of doing that, it constituted a rspresen-
tative body. to be composed Of delegates to
be elected, not only by the farmers of Vir-
ginia but also by the farmers of North Car
olina; and not only Of these, but Of such
other delegates, not farmers, as may be
chosen by city merchants. Notwithstanding
the incongruity of these elements, the name
adopted for the representative body is Far
mers' Council The constitution provides
for the biennial election of about one thou.
sand delegates! We are informed that this
constitution las given SO much dissatisfac-
tlon to some Of the farmers who were pres
ent that they intend to issue call for con.
vention 10 be held in Richmond on the 18th
of May, 1873. for the purpose Of forming a
estate Agricultural Congress"
Governor Walker made a speech before
the convention, in which he states the essen
tials to immigration, first, to DO the sending
abroad by the authority. of. States, which
would be everywhere recognized; and, So,