The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-12-14
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

ion is prescribed by law should becoutlucted |
BY sworn, bonded and disinterested insDec- |
tors standing betwaen sellers and buyers, |
and commanding the equal confidence OF |
toti and that the penalties of the law should |
be such as to ensure its uniform and faithful |
execution everywhere. The present SYSTEM |
is so full OF defects and incongruities. and its
requirements are so easily evadcu, that Its
operat on engenders distrust and irritation be-
tween production and commerce, where mu-
tual confidence and goodwill are so ndispen-
sable to Che well-being of both.
Recognizing the giaring deficiencies OF the
law as 1t is, and recommending its revision
and its reform in the manner suggested In
nv last annual message. I again submit the
ubject TO your wisdom.
VACANCIES IN OFFICE.
Tie Commonwealth has sustained the loss
II wise, learned and upright judge. and
citizen of pure and exalted character. in the
recent death OF Wood Bouldin, Esq, late
Associ ate Judge of the iSupreme. Court OF
Appeals.
The vacancy, thus occasoned, having arts
sn.shorfly before the beginning OF your an
tl,al session. and no specia! considerations
of public convenience requiring it to be filled
for the brief interim by Executive appoint
ment, 4 foreborc 10 take any action upon the
death of the late incumbent, in order that
the election OF his successor might be freed.
as far as possible. from embarrassment. 1t
is now desirable, however, that the vacancy
shall be filed at an early day.
The death of VIM. II. Richardson, Esq,
late Adiutant General, has caused a vacancy
in that office.
This venerable and devoted public sci want
had, through an unusually Icing official lie,
displayed such patriotic love and admiration
for Ids native State as serve to recall some OF
the noted examples Of antiquity
AS the policy Of continuing this Office up
on it's past footirg had been the subject OF
legislative inquiry. and with view to AVOID
forestaling your Judgment upon that ques-
ton, as we'll rs TO effect saving to the treas
ury, IL commissioned 1.-THE Secretary OF the
Commonwealth as Adjutrnt General dd i,t-
term, he consenting to discharge the duties
OF the position, but only on the condition
that he should receive no compensation for
that service. The Executive order, making
this disposition Of the office, is herewith
transmitted.
THE JACKsoN-HOPE MEDALS AND THE LEE
MONUMENT ASSOCIATION.
The accompanying correspondence with
line Hon. A. j. Bcresford Hope, and with
the Superintendent OF the Virginia Military
Institute, explains the gratifying particulars
ofsan additional tribute to the memory OF
Thomas J. Jackson from the British donors
OF the statute by Foley. IL is nota doubted
that the General Assembly will facilitate the
conversion of this gift into a perpetual annni-
ty. and its preservation as a foundation for
annual medals to be conferred upon the
most distinguished graduates OF that lnsti-
tute. I suggest that authority be given to
convert the medal fund into outstanding
State bonds. and that the annual payment OF
a sum equal to the interest thereof be guar
anteed, so that the principal may be forever
preserved and the income regularly applied
according to the generous design OF the don
ors. 6 Such an arrangement involves no grant
from the treasury, and it occasions no pay
ment of interest. except such as is now
made to other institutions of learning upon
State bonds held for their benefit.
The Lee Monument Association is raising
a considerable amount OF money, with view
to procuring an equestrian statue OF Robert
Flee. and, with its consent. erected within
the Capitol grounds. Many Of the people of
all sections have manifested gratifying in
terest in this tribute OF reverence and admira
ton for the most illustrious character OF The
age. recommend that authority be granted
for the investment of this fundin State bonds.
and the like investment of the semi-annual
interest accruing upon them, until the who'll
shall be required in providing the statue.
All DONATION TO THE UNIVERSITY.
A citizen of the State of New York whose dis
interestedness and modesty successfully conceal
his name, has given to the University OIL virginia
sixty-two thousand dollars in additional improve
ments and educational equipments. This noble
and timely gift. and the manner OF it, excite the
iiveIiest gratitude Of our people, and should re-
ceise as they will. the most cordial recognition
Of the government which its author will allow
w. W. Corcoran. Esq. has recently given to
the University ffty-ffve thousand dollars. The
simple thanks of Virginia arc all we are permit
ted 10 return to this great phiianthropist whose
oepefactions have won for him the love Of man
kind nd whose continual good deeds are his
honors greater than governments can besto@-
MISCELLANEOUS.
rhe arbitration to fix the line boundary be-
tween Virginia and Maryland is pending and un
determined at the writing OF this message The
result will be specially communicated rs soon as
t is ascertained.
In order to contract as much as possible the di-
mansions Of this paper. propose make certain
OF our transportation interests the subject OF
special message at an early day.
During the recess OF the General Assembly.
necessarily incurred the responsibility OF repre-
senting the relations Of Virginia to the National
and cheerful Difference to your action in the
premises, and disposed OF the subject IN 4 COM
munication, herewith transmitted.
Events which have transpf ed since your ad
tournment strengthen my conviction that capital
punishments should be executed privately and
never under the public gaze. Such shocking
spectacles involve cruelty to the condemned. are
demoralizng to portions OF the people, and IN no
titles Of the law. 1t s also necessary that the
precautions should be provided by law to prevent
che execution Of this painful DUTY in a harbarous
manner and by incompetent hands;
Ia2ain invite your attention to the real ncon-
,yenfences which result from the want, OF such a
state bureau OF statistics as the Constitution d.
scrfbes and intends to be organized. 1t need Gre
ate NO charge upon the treasury: A. presan,
nicipal authorities, transportation or other IN
corporatod companies or local officers although
these are often the only sources OF information
which is essential to the efficient discharge of
both legislative and executive duties
..a1 & THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The amendments to the constitution, last sub |
fnitted to the people, have been ratified by ma
frum resulting from the ordinary discipline and |
sway Of political party agencies, was brought |
which pervates and controles the masses OF the |
people. 1t is most significant and instructive |
expression OF the popular dsnerminatlon to SO
The task of giving effect to the amendments, in
the same spirit which induced their adoption |
viii com mend itself to your favorable attention.
= gro undiess fear has existed that one of the
amendments clothes the Legislature with undue |
and dangerous power over cities and towns On |
the contrary, ii simply restores TO the Legisla- |
stirp the power it always and properly possessed |
untii the government went down under the do |
Intaion Of the sword, when nnfriendly hands |
jesisiation The restored power is necessary to |
the due protection OF the people living under mu-
nicipal government Occasion exists Tor lts exer.
cities and towns. in measures to prevent the pros
titution OF any OF their official agencies to parti
snn purposes and to shut out municipal officers |
from special pecuniary interest in municip ex-
penditures. II, is alleged, such officers, in some
instances. receive pecuniary benefits, either di- |
rect or indirect, from appropriations and con-
tracts they have voice in awarding, the practice
ought to be made as criminal in law as it is rep
refensitie in morals and corrupting in example.
In this connection. invite your attention to
the IN rther constitutional amendments heretofore
and especially OF open for secret
voting. ,.
vocated by the Superintendent Of Public lnstruc
ion which proposes to doubl the capitation tax
for the support OF tho public schools and at the
same time to eeve the state property tax from
ITS present heavy contributions 10 that object
Nothing short Of such an amendment will eqdita
bly apportion the benefits and burdens OF the
ByBte1n |
ARMED INTERFERENCE WITH ELECTIONS IN VIRGINIA
on the 4th Of November last, detachment OF
he regular army OF the United States was quar-
tered IN the city of Petersburg under orders bear
Ing upon the elections then about to take place;
md on the same DAY issued proclamation to
he people, which is herewith communicated.
The posting of band OF soldiers close to the
Voting nlaces Of that city, the of the cleo