Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-12-01

averaged: For legislative expenses, $1S7 500 20;
Tor criminal expenses. Sl45, S30l7; and for all
ordinary expenses, including the two last men.
toned items and excluding all pay ments on the
debt and for free schools, ST, O64. $50 %. These
figures show that the average annual cost of
supporting the government has been more than
"a per cent greater during the latter period than
the former, while the rate Of taxation has been
increased by over II per centum. In other
words. before the war; when Virginia was rich
and prosperous, and embraced 81, 34S square
miles of territory and population reaching in
1860, l,5963lS the government cost absolutely
but little over half as much during the latter
period of impovorishment, when the state ON
braced but 50, 34S square miles of territory, and
her population numbered ], z25, lG3. And rela-
lively, our dwarfed and struggling State now
carries more than twice the governmental bur
thens WHICH were borne by the original COM
monwealth in the plenitude of its wealth and
power. A simple calculation will show that if
the cost of the government be now made rela-
lively what it was before the war. the present
revenues will more than discharge the annual
interest on the debt, and that consequently tax
alton may DO reduced.
After deploring the alarming tendency of the
times to swelling the cost Of governments,
and warning the people against 'the black fab
rick of mal-admiui>tration which overshadows
the land, and advising an abolition of the
secret ballot, Gov. kcmper returns to the con-
sideration Of matters likely to come before the
Legislature, and proposes that the criminal ex-
peoses of the State should be lesseued by max
ing the local authorities levy for them. He
wants all the fues accounted for, and paid into
the State treasury.
10 encourage immigration of shepherds to
cheap highlands he advocates 40 extinction OF
sheep-killing dogs. and an exemption from tax
alton, for limited time, of the property OF
Immigrants and of capital invested in manu-.
featuring.
He advocates change 10 the tobaccoiuspec
ton law, aud urges that authority be given for
aiding the James River and kanawha Canal
to reach Clifton Forge by allowing the use of
convict labor on very liberal terms fer that
work.
In reference to the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad Company, be says:
This company is involved in difficulties Of an
extraordinary. character and they have an i'm
portant bearing on leading public interests.
Pursuant to the call Of the Beard of Public
Works, the commissioners who represent the
State IN relation to the company, are proceeding
to perform the duties devolved on them by law.
The investigation being made may be expected
to throw light on the Observation-Disclosures the
franchise heretofore granted this company has
reverted whether their right TO possess the
road is forfeited to the Commonwealth, and how
far and in what mode such revision and repos
session should be claimed and asserted"
He commends the State institutions to the
care of the Legislature advises an enlarge
meot OF the insane asylul1s, and the establish
ment of Bureau of Statistics, and an improy-
ed method of keeping the accouuts of the
State, aud modification of the MARYLAND
Boundary Commission so that a vacancy ia the
Board, may not, as now, arrest It's business,
He alludes to and eulogizes the gift of the
jackson Statue, and argues at length in favor
OF Virginia taking part 10 the Centennial Ex
hlbltlon at Philadel phia; fluent rhetoric on
this subject occupying one. sixth of message
the Whole OF which could have been readily
compressed within that space.