The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-01

for the state board OF health as will give
efficiency to its important operations: That
the existing penitentiary system be so
changed and reformed as to be made GER
tainly self-sustaining-avoiding, however,
| by all practicable means, competition be-
tween the labor of convicts and that of
deserving mechanics and artisans, whose
interests should be carefully considered
ana iostered: That the inappropriate and
needlessly expensive office of salaried aid
de-camp, constituting a personal staff of q
military character for the executive, paid
and on duty as such. in time Of peace, an
office which l decline to fill, be abolished,
and such provision made for secur-
ing needful clerical assistance
in this office as may appear to be
proper: That the Office of superintendent
ofpublic buildings, of comparatively recent
origin as separate Office, as such wholly
unnecessary, and creating charge upon
| the treasury excessively disproportion-
ate to the services performed, be abolished
| and its duties devolve upon the adjutant
general, or such other officer as may be
properly designated for the purpose, with
| such REIMBURSEMENT Of the salary of the lat
| ter officer as the increase Of his duties may
render appropriate and that each de-
partment and Office of the government be
rigldly inspected and scrutinized for the
purpose of purging the public service Of
all unnecessary officers and employees.
The opportunity and duty are ours to
| inaugurate new era of efficiency in the
government. If the task of building up
the foundations Of o prosperous common
wealth be great, we have good assurance
that here and now 1t can be happily accom-
plished. 1t was at an earlier period of her
growth that Virginia, after leading in revo-
luton, in achieving independence, in found
ing government of constitutional liberty,
was still able to strengthen the young
republic, which. her wisdom and
valor had freely nurtured, and to
enrich it with the sdowry of o
more than imperial domain. With
motives not less pure than those which
inspired our great forefathers, we have
passed. through suffering and sacrifice
such as they were not called to endure !;
and the dire chastenings of adversely
have fitted us to renew their virtues, and
to signalize this as the true heroic age of
our state. Let us rise above the contro-
versies and passions of the past. By q
noble union of all the clements of her
| oSShssh w pIouOtiuS COTulal relaIlOnS
among ourselves and the resolute co-ope-
ration Of true men of all classes and
parties of our people; "bya firm adhe-
renee to justice, moderation, temperance
and virtue" and by the wise and bold
use of our great opportunities and re-
sources, we will more than restore the
1 pristine power and splendor of Virginia.
The best of her possessions yet remain
/ r
ters, stricken with sorrow, mutilated poor,
and stainless honor crowns her brow
still shining with courage and hope.
| With great expectations, she now
turns to the representatives of the
people. My unremitting and laborious CO.
operation will second your every effort to
advance the general welfare. And my
profoundest desires, my sole ambi-
ton, will be accomplished in the glory Of
the commonwealth. "a
| JAMES l.. KEnIpER.