Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-01-23
GOV Err MESSAGE.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

81
CHARLESTON, January 16, 1872.
Gentlemen of Tie Senate and House of Del
egates You assemble under suspicious cir
cumstances. The ratification by the people
of the amendment to the Constitution of the
State, which was submitted to them by an act
of the last Legislature, has had the effect of
removing the political disabilities of a large
class of citizens. This result, so long desired,
has been followed by the happiest conse-
quences. Citizens heretofore excluded from
the ballot box have periodically come forward
to take their Legitimate places in the manage
ment of public affairs. All citizens have
learned to prize more highly, and to guard
more tenderly, the elective franchise. The
bitterness of the past has been buried out of
sight, aud heart burnings have. in a large
measure, given way to fraternal regard =
Good order and a cheerful obedience to the
laws have been marked characteristics of So
ciety during the past year. 1t is no idle boast
to say that nowhere in the Union is there
greater protection to life and property, and q
larger liberty of opinion, than in West Vir-
GINA. Notwithstanding the fact that since
the last Legislature assembled three elections
have been held, in all of which questions
touching important changes in our organic law
were Involved, yet they were all III a remark.
= ~ " GudG dCTlulOnV aQu Ql8-
cord. not unusual under similar circumstances
Elected as you were by unfettered votes, L
most cordially welcome you to the seat of goy>
eminent, as the free choice of a free people
A FEW FACTS.
A convention has been called by the people
to alter or amend the Constitution Of the
State. 1t meets to-day in this city. It is the
earnest wish of all good citizens that all that
is excellent in the present Constitution may
be retained, and that whatever it contains that
Is unwisc and not in harmony with our cher
ished notions as a people, may pass away.
The President Of the United States. in his
recent message, recommended relief from the
disabil ties imposed by the Fourteenth Amend
meit &" the Constitution of the United States.
aud it is to be hoped that Congress will
PROMPTLY respond to his recommendation,
without marring its action by any exceptions
whatever. | trns', hereafter, though divided
In political opinions as we may be, yet that
all will stand united in one common senti-
ment TO promote tie common veal.
The suit long pending in the Supreme
Court OF the United States. between the Com
monweaith of Virginia and the State of West
F'rsinia, in which Virginia was attempting
t" assert a claim to, and jurisdiction over, the
count'es OF Berkeley and Jefferson. has been
Decided in favor of Yves. Virginia and thus
Tins v"xed question has been brought to a
satisfactory conclusion. The people of the
St9te have learned with pleasure that these
two beautiful counties remain n part of our
territory, and the intelligent and prosperous
citizens OF those counties will, I doubt not,
contribute their full sympathy and aid to the
general welfare of the State.
n
The reports of the Auditor and Treasurer.
which will BE- communicated to you, make a
inli exhibit of the financial condition Of the
State. 1t will appear,
That there was a balance remaining in
the Ire asurv October l, 1870. off,. S2l3,42OO OF
received during the year>~.s 513, 5SS 10
=. S7e7 LOS %
This IS accounted for as follows:
Disburscd for general State
pI eStPSsd''' for 'i General s77'10l9 90
Di siS@st df isp s:hsoi Fund. aa ss 81 % %
Total . $685. $50 SO
1 R',. J., ISL, Of .;.. -: sl2s.677 IS
funds October |, 1871, was.... & 1855 .16s 40
Oeuue' "a'ahce IN ireAsury........... 1851 76
The amount due the school funds octo-
oe' i'i-.-'...'.s' ............. S56,l90 81
This Indebtedness or deficiency seems to
have had its practical origin in the fiscal year
ending September 80. 1867; it then amounted
IT, the sum of s75,259 II in 1868 it was re.
duced t. 500, 7h7 81 and in 1860 it was
,"rfher reduced to the sum of ST., 970 81,
hut during this year the State received the
large sum of sl27, G192 % from the United
states G"vernment on account OF Military
Claims. 1t it had not been for this extra
ordinary revenue the deficiency would ncces,
snri'y have been much greater. Tn 1870 this
dehcit again increased and amounted to $780,
o2S 81, although there had been received
during the year the extraordinary revenue of
soo,OoO from the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
on account of taxes in arrear. AS YOU have
already seen, it slightly decreased during the
Neal year endin" September 30. 1871. This
prief history Will show that practically a debt
has existed since 1867, and that each Lecis.
lature has transferred its burden and respnn.
slh'dty to its successor. The Constitution re
qn'res that *'the Legislature shall provide for
an annualtax sufficient t, dcfray the estimated
expenses of the State for each year" The
following is n statement of the debts existing
at the time of the passage of the last appro-
p~riation act:
DEBTS EXISTING.
To the School Fund $50 goo a
Ienltentlary, for construction. .. II, 5OD no
It"rpltnI for the Insane. for construction. IA 400 o.
on'Eers''y' i"r 1870 90
$685. 9l %
=! 'h's amount a portion was paid during
the last year, as follows
Pcnitcntiary deb Ms 500 M
! u the school fund........ 4,D3? 20
-- sl7,5s7 10
Leaving n balance due of......... S77,753 IS
Therefore this delft nj SIT. 1853 IS. the ac
cumulat'on of preceding Years, becomes a
burden upon the resources Of The present wear.
An Increase in t%,xation, however, will not be
necessary tn meet it. If you will limit the