The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-18
Governors Message.
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
ExscurIvE DEPARTMENT,
Ton,orv 16 1879

Gentlemen OF ufe HS = -T
Delegates
vor assemble under suspicious cir
a,o,ances The ratification by the
.annIs Of the amendment to the Constl.
tpnt;an OF the State, which was submitted
to them by an act OF the last LeglsIa'
tnre has had the effect Of removing the
nolitical disabilities of a large class OF
citizens. This result, 80 long desired,
has been followed by the happies'
consequences. Citizens heretofore e.'
cluded from the ballot box nave Pa'ri-
ot;cally come forward to take their
legitimate places in the management OF
nnii;n % oars Allcitizens have learned
70 nr;zs more highly, and to guard more
,onJerIv the elective franchise. The
bitterness OF the past has been buried
ont of sight, and beart-burnings have,
in a large measure, given way to fra
ternal regard. Good order and cheer
tul obedience to the laws have been
marked characteristics Of society during
the past year. 1t is no idle boast to
cav that nowhere in the Union is there
greater protection to lite and property,
and lar ,er liberty of opinion, than in
West Virginia. 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 IN a
remarkable degree free from that acri'
monv aud discord, not unusual under
similar circumstances. Elected as you
were bv unfettered votes, l most cor
daily welcome you to the seat Of gov
eminent, as the free choice Of free
people.
A convention has been called by the
people to alter or amend the Constitu'
ton Of the State. 1t meets to-day in
this city. 1t 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 unwise and not in harmony with
our cherished notions as people, may
pass away.
The President Of the United States
in his recent message, recommended
relief from the disabilities imposed by
the Fourteenth Amendment 10 the Con
stitution of the United States, and it is
to be hoped that Congress will promptly
respond to his recommendation, without
marring its action by any exceptions
whatever. | trust, hereafter, though
divided in political opinions as we may
be, vet that all will stand united in one
common sentiment to promote the com
mon veal.
The suit long pending in the Supreme
Court o: the United States, between the
Commonwealth of Virginia and the
State OF West Virginia, 10 which Vir'
giaia was attempting TO assert a claim
to, and jurisdiction over, the counties oil
Berkeley and Jefferson, has been deci-
ded in favor Of West Virginia; and thus
this vexed question has been brought
TO satisfactory conclusion. The peo-
pie OF the State have learned with pleas
ure that these two beautiful counties
remain a part Of our territory, and the
intelligent and prosperous citizens oil
those counties will, | doubt not, con
tribute their full sympathy and aid tc
the general welfare OF the State.
Finances.
The reports OF the Auditor and Treas
urer which will be communicated to
Won, make full exhibit Of the financial
condition OF the State. 1t will appear.
That there was balance re-
manning In the Treasury Octo- ~ o ~
Amount received duriug the
year: oio,oo> IL
s'e',VVo q
This is accounted for as follows
DiShursed for general
State purposes. sS77 ,l0l IS
Discussed for General
School Fund............ H7,53l Oh
DiSbursed Tor school
Funu oo,oS' 10
Total......... ss5s,saO 81
ury October i, 1871, of............. sl2sG77 10
But the amount due the two
Northumberland. SIS, 1853 4C
Deduct balance in Treasury ...... 1851 Il
The amount due the school funds
October lSIl...-..... sc6,4SO o.
This Indebtedness or deficiency seems to
have had its practical origin in the fiscal
year ending September 80, 1867 it then
amounted to the sum OF $75,259.7l; in
1868 it was reduced to $50, 707.3l and
in 1863 it was further reduced to the
sum OF 81. 1902, but during this year
the State received the large sum o.
Sl27,6792S from the United States
Government on account Of Military
Claims. If it had not been for this ex
traordinary revenue the deficiency would
necessarily have been much greater.
In $50 this deficit again increased and
amounted to 500, j2S.34, although there
had been received during the year the
extraordinary revenue Of $4,000 from
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad on
account of taxes in arrear. AS you
have already seen, it slightly decreased
during the fiscal year ending September
80, 1871. This brief history will show
that practically a debt has existed since
1867, and that each Legislature ha;
transferred its burden aud responsible
ity to its successor. The Constitution
requires that "the Legislature shall
provide for an annual tax sufficient to
defray the estimated expenses OF the
State for each year" The following is
a statement of the debts existing at the
time Of the passage of the last appro
priation act:
Debts Existing.
TO the School Fund $50, 52S p
Penitentiary, for construction. Is, sou o.
Hospital for the Insane, for con-
SUI uctl 1877 VI
University, Tor constructIon........ 1870 VI
Totai..................... ........-.... 1921
OF this amount a portion was paid
durinr the last wear as follows.