Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-12-02

aud include what might be more technically
called sounds; but in the habltua legislation
OF the past a.! their waters are coiuprehended
under the single uame of rivers. Did the leg
iSlature intend. By the tw.niy-secnDd section
of the act Of the 18th Of April. 1874, to sub
vert the legal nomenclature OF the past ? OF was
it inteuded to give to citizens of Maryl nd the
privilege of taking oysters in that part of the
waters of the P1comokc wherein alone they
are to be found?
So much excitement has grown out of these
questions, that prompt and thorough legisa
ton ID required-whIeh will at once carefully
guard the rights and interests of the people OF
Accomac, and preserve peace ADD good feeling
between the cllZenS OF the two states reSpec-
lively. recommend the passage OF an act
extending TO citizens Of Maryland the priv
lIegc of daking oysters 10 all the waters
claimed by both states, and expressly
including Pocomoke river ana sound aud
bay; bat extending such privilege only Until
the true me Of boundary Shall BIZ finally ascer
tanned, and upon condition that Mary land shall,
BY legislation afford like protection to the clti-
zens OF Virginia III the possession of the same
benefits.
In this connection, call attention to the fact
that al! coEtro. over every Important matter
pertaining To Interstate relatons-tne whole OF
Whist may be termed the diplomatic power OF
the stste-is lodged in the legislature exclusive
Is. Such Judgment Of tie power may be well
during the actual sessions Of Inc legislature but
during tn" periods OF legislative recess, the ey-
ecutive department should be entrusted with at
least So much authority as may be ne.dfui in
dealing "tn emergencies and maintaining
peaceful ard cticieI' relations with other states;
should be en- uWnre ~ control all local Off
cers not judicial .ad by extension OF the
par:onnIng power u remit tines, penalties and
- -. inc
iu7ctir? with comfy y another state may de-
nand. Such additional executive powers could
only DC exercised under due responsibility -
the legiSl>t We department and 1t is likely
they would be ali .!acd.
PARDoSISG POWER
Experience shows .hst in cases Of application
for pardon, represent t.!unS of the facts which
are often incorrect. and sometimes fraudulent
and well cacu atcd to mise.d, are addressed to
the executive. Even papers with 70 ged sigma
lures have been rcsortcd - IN such cases More
certain means OF obar in D. III 5 des of the mer-
lis OF esCh c&sc cush: = be provided By law. Il
is suggested that notice Of every such spplica.
lion of the %rourds Of it, and of the time OF pre-
sening it, should De we'll advertised for pre-
scrted time in the county or corporation from
which it emanateS, and that the written opinion
Of the iud ge and attorney Tor the common wealth
connected with the trial should be obtained, be-
fore the Case is considered by the executive
blRkAl Or SlAilSII
No government can DE carried on with n;o-
ligent ana equ ju tlce I, al classes, sc tins
and interests without the means of collecting
stated and accurate reports OF the more import
ant operations of society a bureau Of statistics
shoud be organized and charged with the bust
ness OF collecting, classifying and preserving
sucu particulars retailing TO production, trans
pot ton manufactures. trade and other Inter-
ests rs would essentially sid the iegislst are il!
regulating assessments and taxes AID o.her mat
tiers .. general Importance
A circular WIS addressed from this "fice -
the clerks o! the c:cuit and county courts, call
ing for in!VrnstloH IN regard 10 Jndc.sl -aies .:
lands and the Indebtedness which uccasiuned
such sales. Full answers would nay. gone lsr
towards testing the correctness Of the present
assessm nts OF lands in all parts Of the state,
well ~ the condition 81 the people and Their
ability to bear taxation. A number Of the clerks
returned uil answers tor which they are emil
tled 10 pubic thanks il not more substa!.tis re-"
cogni.on. i m= Irl.y tailed 10 make any re-
spouse, while sot.e refused 20 answer h-cau>"
no pay VS. provided for the service.
II It be deemed mex Uedirnt to create q burcsu
of statistics 81 this time, authority ought u he
given to require answers in such cascS, and, II
need be, TO compensate the labor they involve.
In this connection, renew my former re-
commemorative. III behalf OF the state board o:
health.
PENITESTIARY.
tendent OF, he pei itentary hat this institution
still! creates charge on tn" treasury but In
fairness allowance .houd be made for the late
Il vsncial panic throughout the country, which
has meas urablv tur:ailed liz business and earn
lngs
One of the two contracts heretofore entered
into BIZ the >tste, snd by each OF which it WAS
syreed 10 hire three hundred cOnvicts 10 con-
tractors only one was revocable This last
revoked, and the convicls have been re- let 70
the same CONTRACT :, a. prices about double
those previously obtaine!
1t is i!e.irabe tina, the .aw BE- 50 amended as
to admit Of the hiring odt OF convcts sentenced
TO over ten years Imprisonment.
| Also rec !nnend tina: the board Of directors
of the penitent-rv be abolished and that
! GARD 50 be composed Of c thc"rS Of IN" govern
NJ .nt be required to supervise and direct lis
man agement. Besides the economy OF this
change. it is dem .nded by other considerations
100 obvious = need rec :a
Due advertisement has been made according
"a lew for proposals 'or the r.mova Of the pen
lten,i.rv. But. while the advertising has borne
incorvenicnt.y on the civil contiL ge..t fund, no
proposal has ber.l received in response TO H.
Your favorable attention to the grc.t cause 81
ref ,-n in !r.SUn discipline Is cori!a.iy recon-
mended
IMMIGRATION.
Other states ouce ms.k .r tnsn Virgin y,
have yr wn TO be more powerful than Virgins
ever WAS in consequence OF havl & attracted
J renew tie recommendation; OF my list meg
sage on shis sub;"ct. TIE state should be ~
own immigration agencv. through y board 81
its own officials collecting and rec : dissent
sting. ~ actual and prospective immigrants.
al desired Information in al authentic form: 81
.-actias by effective >ub-sa"nc.es mldil,-cIasS
Immigration from abr NJ; gliding such 'nfn-
rant. 10 settlements in {" Glg4 u-s small :srms
with per.e titles; guarding them against MI
npo.i:son; snG welcoming - oar >-at", with =
warm RECEIPT on ana continued good thce:, b!
homes: mm! yrsrt- OF whatev Nationality, ara
81 whatever reg Gus or political Iath.
RAILROAD AND OTHER TRANSPoRTATI"S '""-
PASIES
Transportstiln companies afford incessant SID
niis penssble sis to almost every Interest OF
society,", snd their usefulness should De cGrtal Cd
oy no las. or harsh legislation. But they are
n,er the law Of public .ervitude snd =" pr
oas b,:h corporate and AatG7a, sn"u he
pound 10 know that. while none are so wcak as
:, ,. beneath the pr >tection .. the government,
nor are 30 strong 70 o. above itS power.
Ereaurr, snd geaersl complaints ai!ege gross
neou.yitie. in h. charges some Of the Ts!-