Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-12-10
Stauntu1t Sgfttator.
Tuesday, December 10 1872.
Governors Message.

The Governors Message was delivered to the
Legislature on Wednesday, the 4th inst. tits
an able document, but too lengthy for US to
publish. We givsbelow synopsis Of it:
He remi.fds the Legislature, that although
the Condition of the people of the State has
GENERALLY improved during the past year. yet
their future welfare as we'll as that of the Com
monwealth depends upon the action of the
Legislature during the present session. be
advises them to firm and courageous adhe
sion to the plain and fundamental principles OF
right, under all circumstances, regardless OF
seli>h or demagogic appeals or Recommendations
Much SPACE is devoted to the sufj ct Of ed
ucation and a review OF the character and con-
diton of the public schools and colleges,
which be represents TO be most Furnishing
He speaks of the University of Virginia as
standing 10 the front rank of the literary instl-
tutions of the country He entertains the
hope that Virginia will yet become the great
educating State Of the Union. Her climate,
her facilities of communications, as well as her
geographical and historical position, will all
contribute to this desirable result.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
He recommends the imposition of an annual
tax of two dollars upon every citizen OF the
Commonwealth over twenty-one years OF age,
mon schools, and prohibiting any one from vo-
ting until he shows certificate of the payment
Of this tax. He also urges an amendment pro-
viding for the election Of State officers In May
instead of November.
The financial policy indicated in the last an
nual message is further urged. He says the
adoption by the Legislature last session, OF
parts Of the policy, the modification and re-
peal ct others and substitution OF something
else in their stead, he's so distorted and mutt
lated the original plan as to render it hardly
recognizable ard involved the whole subject in
confusion and difficulty from which it will re-
Quire both wisdom and courage to extrlcate 1t.
He calls attention to the fact that the public
debt has not been increased one dollar since
1861, except from accretions of interest. He
advises the sale of the assets of the State now
vested in Railroads, which yield 10 income.
and the purchase Of State bonds, thus stop
ping the amount of interest those bonds are
now bearing.
EQUALIZATION OF TAXES.
Upon this subject, the Governor says
"What is needed, and what We have not yet
had, is fair. just and equal valuation of prop
erfy In the Commonwealth" But he say s this
cannot be obtained by re- assessment and must
be accomplished by some other plan, which be
leaves to the Legislature to find out.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
He favors the establishment Of another Asy-
lum, at Lynchburg or some other point equally
accessible to the Southside of the State. He
opposes the enlargement Of the present Instl-
tuti0ns.
PENITENTIARY.
he speaks in high praise Of the manner in
which the Penltentiary has been managed. He
tavors the establishment OF reformatory pris-
on tor youths under Is years, separate and dis
tlnct from the Peniteptiary and to be mana
ged On somewhat different principles and under
different rules and regulations.
JUDICIARY.
On this subject be says, I'VE have too many
Courts and an unnecessarily expensive judicial
sysrem. Fewer Courts and better paid Judges
will elevate the judicial standard. secure the
prompt and satisfactory transaction of business
and materially lessen the burthens OF the sys-
TEN. He favors the Limitation eff the iurisdic-
ton Of the County Courts to matters of pro-
bate and such civil and criminal jurisdiction
and general supervision of county matters as
may be deemed advisable, but dispensing with
jnrles, except at the option and expense of lit
ieau's. aud enlargiDg the jurisdiction and num-
Der OF the Circuit Courts
IMMIGRATION.
He recommends more attention to immigra-
ton and suggests The organic alton of thor
ough aud practical system, with State aid, and
for his purpose, he advises the preparation
and publication by State authority of proper
statistics and information of our condition, and
the almost inuumerable advantages we possess
for the immi grant
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
He alludes 10 the import lance of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad, and says the OPEN
ing of his great highway to commerce will be
the beginning Of a new era in the development
of The State. The importance of enlargement
and completion of the James River and Ka-
nawha Canal is urged but the Governor is sat
isfed the United States government will not,
and really ought not, to undertake it's compile
ton, although its merits as work Of national
importance are great. He honed, however,
that the general government will lend the aid
Of its credit to the enterprise on safe and sat
isfactory conditions He attributes the aroused
hopes of the federal government undertaking
this work to aspiring politicians
Ches. & Ohio 2. e. Company
The fifth annual meeting Of the Stockholders