Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-11-04

AAhohSs 40 q UGGW66ut ILlS
and the old Constitution; which simply pro-
yided that vacancies shall be filed in such
manner as may be prescribed by law. The
conclusion seems TO be irresistible therefore
that q yacaneysin the Office of sheriff must
be filed by appointment, and that the person
appointed must hold his Office until such time
after the next general election as his success,
sor shall qualify. ~ s
These remarksapply with equal force to
vacancies in other offices, and I invite your
attention to the subject, hoping that, you5will
SO modify all that part of the election law
which provides for the special election of of
GERS to fill vacancies as TO conform to the pro,
visions Of the Constitution quoted above. s
@r INCORPORATION OF BANKS.
The Act approved April s, 1873, amend-
ing and re-enacting certain sections of chapter
fifty >foar OF, the Code, concerning the incor.
poration of joint stock companies, omitted the
clause providing Tor the incorporation Of saws
ings institutions, aud banks OF discount and
deposit. Applications have been made, to the
Secretary of State for charters for banks of
discount aud deposit, but for the reason stated
he did not feel authorized TO issue charters for
them.
This was an-omission which was Informed
was intended to be supplied by a special act,
IN relation to banks but for some reason no
such act was passed. This subject seems to
demand your early attention. Banks are
quasi public Institutions, aud such conditions
should be imposed in their charters as will
afford protection to those doing business with
them. To this end they ought to be required
to make aud publish either quarterly or semi.
annual statements of their condition. AL
though the Constitution authorizes the charter
OF banks OF issue, it would be unwise and uu-
fortunate at this time to provide for the ores-
nization of such banks. The country has wit
messed several financial revulsions heretofore,
owing, principally, to the initiation of paper
currency. That this is one of the causes of
the present disturbance in money matters, I
do not pretend to say and it is not the rur-
pose OF this paper to DISCUSS questions of gen
eral policy. But think it doubtful whether
we shall ever have solid aud durable system
of fnance until money shall become the our
rency of the great body of the people, and
the use of notes and bills shall be confined to
the classes who need and must use them
c. 1t banks are not to be permitted to issue
notes to circulate as money, there is a stronger
reason why other corporations and individuals
should be prohibited from issuing notes,
whether payable in money or goods as u sub
stitute for money. Iu times like these where
large amount of money is withdrawn from
circulation. there is strong eunp,ation 20 sup
ply its plnce with paper Of this character
The lshoring class of people suffer most from
such Issues; necessity compels them to accept
them Us wages for their labor, and they can
not help themselves; therefore, the laws ought
TO afford them protection against such sys>
TEN.
FREE SCHOOLS.
The State Superintendent of Free Schools
has. up to this time received but seven re-
ports from County Superintendents, and con.
sequenty is now unable to make a report to
me-
l can, therefore, only speak in general
terms Of the public schools. AT the election
held in August last, SO far as the State Su-
perintendent has information. there we're two
districts in the State that did not vote for the
levy OF taxes for the support of schools-one
in Boone and one in Mineral In the district
in Boone it is said that the vote was given
under some misspprehension of the facts aud
IN the district in Mineral DO election was
held. e' tt- 80 sS5'
This almost universal assent on the part of
the people has fnaliy settled one of the most
vexed questions connected with the school sys
tenn. and has placed it on far more durable
basis than before. And think the result Of
the election will be greater efficiency and
economy. in the system While there are
some provisions in the; School Law that {
think could be changed to advantage. vet in.
the absence of information as to the practical
operations of the new law, i am not prepared
to recommend any changes therein 2
A law 1ike This in yyh inhf fovary =,
more or less interested, and which ought to be
familiar to all. should be subject to as few
changes as possible.
From the report made to me by the State
Superintendent of Free Schools. under the
provision Of section seventeen, article Z of the
Constitution it appears that the disbursements
of his office during the last fiscal wear were as
folIows:.
For salary of Superintendent 81 $50 20 /;
for salary of Clerk ss0s so; for contingent.
expenses SS,710'57; for salaries of County
Superin'endents So, 1872 97-making a total
of $40, ,3S2.74 for the year
There has been some difficulty in executing
that part of the law which requires the ap>
pointment of two examiners who, together
with the Stste Superintendent constitute a
State Board of Examiners, from the fact
that no provision was made for their compen.
sation or expenses. presume this occurred
through inadvertence. recommend that You
fix reasonable compensation to be paid the
examiners, aud authorize the payment of their
actual expenses. This system of examina,ioo
is sn admirable feature of the school law, and
will tend greatly to elevate the character of
our schools.
THE JURY LAW.
The iury law needs ramoaaI;rr r, :;
anomalous. unsatisfactory, and attended with
much expense. While it is true the counties
differ materially in popnlation and wealth. yet
this fact is hardly sufficient reason why diff.
feren.modes of obtaining juries should be per-
mitted Whatever plan may be adopted it
should be uniform throughout the. State
Section of this law is as follows: "If a
case'of felony be for trial ina circuit court.