The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-12-01
ANNUAL MESSAGE
or TEE sHt
GOVERNOR OF VIRGINl.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,.
DECEMBER /, 1875.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, D
.GOvEKsoR's OFrIcE. :
TO THE

CoNxoNwsALTH or NIR9rNIA,A z
.GOvsKsoR's ORrIcE.
RICHMOND. L ecember l, 1870. 81
Gentlemen Of the Senate
and House Of Delegates :.
! General Assemble combining larger
eSorrlence than any which has conveyed
since me close Of the civil war now assumes
thc sc,gh,iest responsibilities OF the Govern
mCn'.
fp) sud cnrhisl SITUATIONS, welcome tbe
r.r.e.ep,x,ives Of the people TO the csptol.
Let o. tear in mind that the successful
,cn,kog OF the Government depends npon
the harmoci,us acton OF all its parts. Espe.
G,!ip does he public welfare require the
uoflcd aud coucnrdant services OF Tue iegls
ia,,.e and executive departments. What
eve; tends 10 hinder cord 81 relations be-
,v,cD them is 10 be dPpreca ed and avoided.
IMPRESSED with the cardinal importance OF
IhI> truth, shall aim to promote its efficient
oh.r,varc, and my constant and lab ,rlous
r. y Grafton soali second your every If ,rt 10
..,yr the Common ~earh. Rarely, With
greet reluctance, and only when impeiled b,
irf, si.tible convictions, I have in'erpose0
the constitutional negative In arrest Of act
Of ! .ts!a,ion But so guarded has beeplmy
ey,rrl>e Of thai important power heretofore
thg, Alt the bills returned to your predeces-
sor. w,,hour ms approval were on rec 10.
sd, ration rejected. and IN every case save
on. ny The unanimous vote of the respective
house. in which they originated. With
every reason 10 expect baoitual concurrence
Of views IN the rururr; guided in the more
,mrnr, mt dupes bef,re US br the recent yex.
pfr>sl. hen hSs been given 10 the Will OF
The ,ro H.; rmulous 70 guard the honor
urG wtII hong OF the Stale now committed
10 our nr,'rd care; animated ny like in'er.
es'<. yIM<, and hopes, lei US devote barmo-
n,ou- I,nrG9 10 The performance of com
nou trust.
rDr ~ ~cts of legislation which await
the exercise Of your collective wisdom are
important and urgent but not numerous.
Toe great body OF the laws needs no smeud-
merit. Toe nabit which naS prevailed OF
m,k,ng fTtquept changes In the details Of
the statutory law Is greatly TO be depior cd.
The certainty and efficacy Of any code OF
l4w- depend In large measure upon ID STA
ot!,v Societv SO accommodates itself to
Legal requirements which are permanent
thai even 40 imperfect code remaining long
uualtered operates with greater regularity,
RI rds better protection, and commands
ten which is subj ct to fluc' ustlnns and To.
certalDfes. Not 10 mention the expensive
ness and be otser serious incopvenIences Of
the practice whicu eocumbers the sessions
ac's situ great mass Of special. local. and
private legi>la ION all of which could be
embodied 10 q few brief, general, and per.
mautnt R'Wes- it Is enough to say such
usage ia perncous In principle, and that II
H.. rrnl,fii. nf Rnrrnnfinn
beyond this Safe. I adhere to the opinion
addressed 10 the last General Assembly that
Virginia ought TO follow the example OF
some of the more prosperous and enter
pri,Ing S'ates which nave so shaped their
organic law as to render special legislation
for the most part impossible. t
Looking 10 the vravest questions and dtM
,cuIes which demand your elaboration, /
congratulate you on the Increasing advan
tuges sffurdeG for their solution. By slow
and l1harions processes, bnt With steady ion.
provemcn', Virginia is emerging from the
ruln wrought by war. Long trained and
cha.teurd IN the dire school or adversely,
our people are acquiring new ha bits OF en-
ergy, providence. and thrift. Equally in all
the grand divisions OF The State greater In.
dustrt, closer economy, and better produc-
ton are visible. The year now closing bias
wine. sed within our borders no calamitou>
siorms, or foods, or fires. 1t has brought
neIruer pe>tlience nor want 10 Its train
Even tor q Commonwealth so additionally
peaceful, the public order and tranquility
have b. en- singularlv uninterrupted. Almost
every where favorable seasons and bountlful
bsfvasts have re Uarded the faithful tolls OF
the husbauumau. /" The earth which drink
ctp 10 the rain thst come1h Oft upon II, and
bfipgetn forth fruits meetfor them oy whom
it Is dressed, receiveth blessing from God"
II is flung that our hearts be deyoutiy lifted
upip graulude and praise TO the Almighty
Author OF every good for the manifold biess
iugs aud mercies with which He hath crowned
the year. 81, t@
.RyENUEs AND EXPENDITUREs.'
Du, 81: the fiscal year which ended With
the GOTH 3f September last the gross receipts
Of Tue treasury amounted to- $2,647. 100 05 ;
deduct ne the sum raised oy temporary loans
during tie year, $3.50, 0D0, the revenues pro-
per are shown to have been 81. SIT 790.05.
Some, but not considerable. falling of 10
the receipts from one or two sources, as welt
as some apparent decrease 10 the amount OF
persona. property values, has resulted cnien
from the late alteration In the tax upon mer-
chants. s,-
Ia the following table the expenditures OF
each ass for the year are stated, aud 10 or.
der 10 sfferd distinct view of the present
dnaucisis uation IS compared with toe past
| tab0late toe opera ions Of The treasury dn-
ring ne ast SIX wears: ID !
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