The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-10-27
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The publication of the Governors
message and of a report OF the proceed
ipes Of the legislature has go far occu-
pied the columns of our paper this
morning as to leave but little space for
editorial remarks. The message 10 q
plain and business like document con.
tanning little that is new and little
ground for either commentator or
censure. Most OF the Recommendations
it contains are good and timely ana
deserve consideration by the legislature.
Especially is this the case In reference
10 the financial condition Of tie State,
and we trust that the legislative body
while exercising the strictest economy
in expenditure will make such an altera-
ton in the laws relating to the fiscal year
a. will secure the collection OF each
wears revenue in time TO meet the APP
preparations OF that year. There ls
nothing anomalous or unusual IN the
fact that at this time the fund IN the
treasury devoted to general purposes is
almost exhausted. The same condition
of affairs has almost always existed
heretofore at this time OF the year. We
have never before had legislative
session commencing in October, and
hence there has never heretofore been q
public report as to the condition OF the
treasury at that particular time. In
January, when the Sheriffs make their
returns, the treasury will be full, but at
this time, the appropriations made
last winter having been paid out
and no revenue yet received, there Is
but a small balance OF money on land.
Formerly, under these circumstances,
it was customary to borrow from the
school fund, but that pernicious prac-
tice having been very properly dlscon-
tinued, it is necessary for the Legislature
to 60 arrange the time OF the collection
OF the revenue and the payment OF APP
preparations that the money available
for general purposes shall haye been re-
ceived at the treasury before the de-
mand for its payment can he legally
made.
We commend also the Governors
suggestion concerning a geological! sur"
vey. The snject is ore we have spoken
of repeatedly and have ALWAYS advo-
Gated. 1t may lie questionable whether
in view Of the present condition
OF the treasury, til. legislature
should at once employ a geologist and
begin the work The proiec! is one
however whose consummation should
not be long delayed, and as the next
!esisla will mo- conyele until Jan
AIRY 1875, there "a strong reason in
favor ofimmeiiate legislation upon the
sul ieCt
The Governor reference TO the con-
test az 10 the constitutional power OF
appointment is rather unhappy and be-
;rsys On unseemly adherence to fool
ish notion which the highest court and
the best legal minds in the Safe have
pronounced unfoundcd. The old adj
age that "A mau convinced against
his will is of the same opiniOn still,
iiads an apt illustration in the Cover
nors clisging TO Whist be must know
IS mistaken idea. Inc
assumption OF virtue in his advising
Mr.. SHALLcRoss to submit to the Judg'
ment OF the Supreme Court, and his
quasi claim OF credit Tor absta!nIug
from a violation OF the lsw and trcTo
plunging the State into civil discord
and confusion, IS rather modest, coming
Is 1t does from one whose highest con-
stitutional duty it ls 10 take care that
the laws be faithfully executed" He
sould do nothing else than submit 10
what The highest authority had declared
90 be the law, without becoming an
open revoIutionist and rebel That he
still ayows his individual disagreement
in opinion with the judgement OF the
Supreme Court of Appeals, will strike
very mspy persons ss az little creditsble
to bis own good sense as humilisting
10 the Court.
Upon the whole, however, the mes
sage presents a fair resume Of public
affairs, and as such we commend It TO
careful perusal by our readers.