The New York herald., 1872-12-05
vIR ciNlA.
The Governors Annual Message to the Legisla-
ture-A Peaceable Document-The Governor
Disapproves Of Aid from the National
Government to Complete the James
River and Kanawha Canal

Inc LegfsiAture met t0-u8y,s ana after tnc read
ing Of the Governors message both Houses ad-
journed In respect to the death OF Horace Greeley.
Both the fiags. state and national noatIne from
the Capitol were also lowered to halfmast In honor
Of the dead journalist.
The message of the Governor treats all the prln-
cpal subjects usually embraced in such documents
In calm, fair and impartial manner, but 1t does
not refer to national affairs, and lacks tho
vim and spirit OF the message OF year ago. when
Governor Walker was rather severe on the ma
tional administration. He does not even refer to
the death Of Mr.. Greeley. Upon the financial con-
dition Of the State he reiterates his former recon-
mendations. which were entirely In antagOnism
to the course subsequently pursued by the Legis-
lature, in regard to the funding Of the public
debt In the consideration OF the educa-
tt0nal interests Of the State "a subject
now receiving more attention than at
any other period in its history-a prominence Ia
given that may be accepted as a confirmation OF
this statement. The interest manifested by the
Governor in various institutions OF learning. In
Guiding the University Of Virginia, the Military
Institute and the recently organized Agricultural
College. will have the effect OF still further enlist
ing pure sympathy In the cause OF education. It s
attering to report already that the progress made
In this particular has exceeded the expectations Of
the most sanguine.
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA CANAL.
That portion Of the message In relation to the
completion Of the james River and Kanawha
Canal meets with general disappr obation, and has
given issue to great deal OF adverse discussion
and not little feeling this evening. this is the
cherished enterprise and great national water line
andtrans-Alleghany route from the west to the
east OF Virginia The Governor throws cold water
on the proposed manner OF completing 1t by ma
tonal aid, and makes the following statement and
m n
''The government or the United States. In my
Judgment, will never undertake the completion OF
lend the aid of its credit upon safe and satisfactory
conditions. but beyond this am satisfied that it
ers OF this property. Including the state transfer
the title on all their interests to q company
of responsible gentlemen OF established reputa-
ton for prOblty and financial ability upon
condition that the work be completed in salts
factory manner within o specified period, and be
thereafter used within certain prescribed limits
as to tolls and general management and enter
tain no reasonable doubt that q company OF gen.
tlemen OF the character can be found, and that
when the company is organized and in possession
and ownership OF the property, upon the terms
and conditions just stated, that the government
guarantee upon the first mortgage bonds OF the
company, TO sufficient amount to complete the
canal To this extent. and this only Is there any
real hope OF government aid in this enterprise.
While 1t Is work of national importance,
AND IN CASE OF WAR,
under certain, though not very probable circunl-
stances, might be OF incalculabe benefit to the
nation yet 1t does not fall within that category OF
improvements which the national government
feels Itself authorized to make on its account.
II has within a few years past been granting sub
sdieS OF public lands to aid in the construction OF
railroads to the Pacific, but even this form of aid
has been discontinued, and, hope, forever. The
reasons which induced these subsidies do not apply
TO this canal as an Improvement to any consider
able extent. The arguments in favor OF this
scheme have been worn threadbare In the case Of
the Niagara Ship Canal the Illinois Ship Canal and
the Fox River Improvement and other like
schemes. state these facts not to discourage any
proper efforts on behalf OF our great and much
needed water line, but simply TO dispel the
ILLUSIvE AND FICTITIOUS HOPES
and expectations which interested parties have
been sedulousy endeavOring tOIrSplre. The plan
above indicated, in my Judgment, IS the only one
possessing even the germ Of success, and the
sooner we all concentrate our efforts upon
II the sooner will our expectations be realized.
That the investments already made In this i'm
prOyement in its present condition are valueess
and that its completion is OF vital Importance to
the people OF our State as well as the great valleys
can question. The only subject OF discussion is
how 1t can be accomplished. If the Legislature
will modify its action OF last Winter to clothe
the commissioners with full power to transfer
this property absolutely and without the delay
which might be occasiOned by reference back to
the Legislature for its approval, am hopeful Of
opportunity within the next year OF securing such
combination OF private capital and ability as
will undertake and insure the completion OF this
great Improvement, which has been the dream OF
our ancestors and contributes largely to the hopes
entertained by ourselves"
This is considered most peculiar recommends
ton. Among all parties and on all sides hear
the hope expressed that the representatives OF the
State in Congress and all others interested will
force this matter upon the attention OF Congress
both at the present and all future sessions until
the scheme Is accomplished Republicans particu-
larly favor the scheme OF national aid to CON-
plete this enterprise.