Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-12-09
The GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, }

GovEHNoR's OFFICE,
RICHMOND, LIST DECEMBER, 1875.
Gentleman OF tho Senate and House Of
Delegates
A General Assembly, combining
larger experience than any which has
convened since the close of the civil
wan, now assumes the weightiest re-
sponsinilities OF the government. e
With felt pleasure and relief, with
respectful and cordial SITUATIONS, |
welcome the representatives OF the peos
pie 10 the Capitol.
Let us bear in mind that the success
ful working Of the government de-
ponds upon the armonious action OF
all its parts Especially does the pubs
lie welfare require the united and cons
cordant services of the legislative and
executive departments. Whatever
tends to hinder cordial relations be-
tween them is to be deprecated and
avoided. Impressed with the cardinal
importance of this truth,,l shall ann to
promote It's efficient observance and
my constant and laborious Corporation
shall second your@every effort TO serve
the commonwealth. Rarely, with
great reluctance, and only when inns
PEELED by irresistible convictions, !
have interposed the constitutional ne~
gative in arrest of acts of legislation.
But SO guarded has been my exercise
of that important power heretofore,
that all the bills returned to your pres
decessors without my approval were
on reconsideration rejected, and IN
every case, save one, by the unanimous
vote of the respective houses in which
they originated. With every reason
to expect habi.ual concurrence of views
in the future; guarded IN the more inn
portanj duties before US by the recent
expression which has been given to
the will of the people; emulous TO
guard the honor and welI~belng of the
state now committed to our united
care; animated by like interests, aims
and hopes, let us devote harmonious
labors to the performance Of com
mon trast.
The subjects of legislation which
await the exercise of your collective
wisdom, are important and urgent, but
not numerous. The great body OF the
laws need no amendment. The habit
which has prevailed of making fire.
quent changes in the details of the
statutory law is greatly to be deplored
The certainty and efficacy of any code
of laws depend in large measure upon
its stability. Society so accommodates
itself to legal requirements which are
permanent, that even an imperfect
code, remaining long unaltered, oper>
ates with greater regularity, affords
better protection and commands more
contented obedience. than wiser sys~
TEN which is subject to fluctuations and
uncertainties. Not to mention the ex-
pensiveness and the other serious in
conveniences of the practice which
encumbers the sessions-acts with a
great mass Of special, local and pri-
vate leglslation-all of which could be
embodied in few brief, general, and
permanent statutes-it is enough to
say such a usage is pernicious in. prins
ciple, and that; it has proved prolific
source of corruption beyond this state.
I adhere to the opinion, addressed TO
the last General Assembly, that Virgi-
MIA ought to follow the example ofsome
of the more prosperous and enterpris~
ing states which have so shaped their
organic law as to render special legis-
lation, for the most part, impossible.
Looking to the gravest questions and
difficulties which demand your deliber-
alton, l congratulate you on the in
creasing advantages afforded for their
solution. By slow and laborious pro-
cesses, but with steady Improvement,
Virginia is emerging from the ruin
wrought by wal. Long trained and
chastened in the dire school of adver
sity, our people are acquiring new
habits of energy, providence and thrift;
Equally in all the grand divisions OF
the state, greater industry, closer econ
omy and better production aye visible
The year now closing has witnessed |
within our borders no calamitous
storms or floods or fires 1t has
brought neither pestilence nor want in
its train. Even for commonwealth
SO traditionally peaceful, the public
order and tranquility have been singu |
larly uninterrupted. Almost every-
where favorable seasons and bountiful
harvests have rewarded the faithful
tolls of the husbandman- ''The earth
which drinketh in the rain that cometh
oft upon it, and bringeth forth fruits
meet for them by whom it is dressed,
receiveth blessing from God 1t is
fitting that orr hearts be devoutly lift
ed up in gratitude and praise to the
Almighty Author of every good for
the manifold blessings and mercies
with which he hath crowned the year.
SUPPLEMENTAL TAXATION.
I earnestly invite your attention to
- l.. r.