The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-05

that the hour had arrived for the meeting OF
the body.
Prayer by the Rev. T. G. Dashiell, of st.
Marks Tpiscopal) church.
QUORUM PRESENT.
The L~IErTESAST-G GOVERNOR stated that as
there was evidently a quorum present the
usual iormality Of calling the roll would be
dispensed with. The following senators ap-
peared in their seats:
Messrs. Anderson of Pittsylvan!a, Beazley, Boy
kin, Cochran, C0nnally. Fitzpatrick. Graham.
f I,nrkle,G GrG I:ntbro TtiS Mariin hS Massey, Ntenpa's NoT.
ton. Nowlin, Nuttirg. Patterson, Penn. Prideinore,
Quescnberry. Rue. smith, Stevens, Taylor, Of Lou
doun, Ta!l n Of Norfolk city, Thomas. and Wynne.
On motion of Mr.. SMITH of Russell COM
mittce was appointed to inform the House Of
Delegates that the Senate was ready on its
part to
PROCEED TO BUSINESS.
The CHAIR appointed Mcssrs. SMITH and
KIRKPATRICK.
On motion of Mr.. QUEsENBEREY, it was or
dered that a committee Of three OH the part
of the House and two on the part of the
Senate lie appointed to wait upon his Excel
lency the Governor and inform him that the
General Assembly is duly organized and
ready to receive any communication be may
have to make. The CHAIR appointed Messrs.
OuEsgNBERIY and PATTERSON.
On motion of Mr.. GREEvER, the rules gov
crning the Senate at its last session were
adopted.
MIR. TAYLOR Of Loudoun presented a reso-
luton requesting The resident clergy Of this
city and Manchester to open the Senate with
prayer. Agreed to.
FROM THE GOVERNOR.
Mr.. QuEsENBERRY. from the committee ap-
pointed to wait upon the Governor, reported
that his EXcellcncy rendered his congratula-
tons for their safe return, and would com
municate further in writing. A few minutes
later, Colonel L. L. Owens, ai1 to the Co
vernon, communicated tie message Of the
Executive IN writing, which was read, as
follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGISIA,)
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS,
RICHMOND, December d, ls72.
Gentlemen Of tie Senate and
House Of Delegates:
During the year now drawing to a close the pco-
pie of this Commonwealth have been blessed with
peace, good order, a thorough administration OF and
obedience to law, and q reasonable degree Of pros
The prevalence Of Il severe drought over the north
crops, while almost universally throughout southern
and southwest Virginia the crops were superior to
any there grown since the war.
proved, and a better and more hopeful spirit pre-
walls. ltcannrt be disguised, however, That their
future wcll-heing, us we'll us that Of the Common
I MEtI1n' ! 10 i'' prescn ntr session.. w have %a es s. !
many perils during the past seven and Il half years,
but others environ us, which VIII require great WIS
dom, caution, and comprehensive craftsmanship TO
avoid A firm aud courageous adhesion TO the pl in
and fundamental principles of right under al cir
cuiustances, regardless Of selfish or demag0gic up
pp,lc ~. Recommendations. VIII cnuULcp tn flp correct
and conscientious discharge of every duty.
Ibespcak for the varied and important interests
conscientious consideration and action, assuring
you Of my hearty cooperation in any and all just
the public veal and the development and advance
meut OF the State.
The cause of education in our State during the
past year has met with the most gratifying success.
The number OF our common schools has increased
to over thirty-siX hundred, and the attendance Of
and there has been u marked improvement In the
excellence OF the schools This Is strong evidence
Of the increased perfection OF our schoul system
for education. The system, however, Is not yet per-
feet, nor y public sentiment In its behalf as far ad-
the sure hsrbiager Of better things 10 come.hh We
may confidently hope that the day IS not tur distant
when the opportunities Tor free education VIII lie
afforded every child III the wealth. Our
common schools are the soGrcc from which our
colleges aud higher institutions uf learning
mus nnaj, S GIn cd ,ns1r Saie to su tIIa uiiv ead these tSe
larger number OF Its >tu-ents. We have III proper
lion TO population a larger number OF colleges Than
any State OF the Union, and their superior excel
lence is attestcd by the fact that they are all pros
porous. Our Cuivcraity stands in the front rank of
Inc literary institutions of the country. 1t is L uni-
vcrsity III Juct us well as In name. Founded upon
The true theory OF Il uniycrsity-a school III which
all branches OF learning are taught-it has kept
affords facilities Tor the acquisition Of sound learn
ing equal to II not greater than any institution of
the country. The recent addition of Il school Of
agriculture and industrial chemistry supplies u
growing want, and Will largely conduce to its useful
ucss and prosperity. II Is a State institution, found
cd, owned, aud controlled by the State; all the peo-
pie OF which ever have, and 1 trust ever will, cherish
4 Just pride in Its well-earned and well-sustained
reputation. l commend the report of It's Board Of
Visitors 70 the careful consideration of the members
OF the General Assembly.
The report or the Board Of Visitors Of the Vir-
ginia Military lnStitute-nlother State institution
makes IA luust satisfactory exhibit Of It's condition
stitudon from It's almost total unnihiiation during
the late war has been remarkable, thus atfording the
highest evidence Of able management and estsb-
lshcd reputation and popularity.
Since our last session another State educational
institntion-.he Virginia Agricultural aud Mechan-
operation, with an able corps Of officers and pro-
lessons, and Il fair attendance OF students.
On the lt of May last the Board of Education 1.-THE
rector of The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical
College and the PRESIDENT of the Hampton Normal
and agricultural Institute being present and Z. assent
Congress ut the price OF ninety-lre cents per acre,
which. | AIN informed, was u higher price than any
State had obtained for It's land scrip at that date.
The terms Of sale required 4 cash payment by dste
OF sale, and the balance in three equal i~nstalments at
two, -four, and eight noi1hs, all Of which have bCen
made except the last, which falls due OH the LIST
proximo. From tie sum total or Szs5,uJ0 realized
iron this sale, $4,000 has been set aside at the re-
quest of the Board OF Visitors OF thu Virginia Agi1-
Cultural and Mechanical College 70 be used in lhe
purchase of q farm for that institution, aud the lal-
auce, as received, ha, been aud Is being invested In
the bonds Of this State Sa09,s99.s having already
been purchased. ! trust that The GeIeral As
upon the same iooiing rs Ike investments
OF the oth4r educational institutions in the
state, The Virgtnia Agricultural and Machapicai