Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-12-14
General Assembly Of Virginia.

The Legislature met at Richmond,
December 6. J. r Jones, a colored
Senator elect from the thirtieth dis
trict, was sworn in after the adoption
of resolution ord ering an inquiry as
to whether any legal election had
been held in that district, and whether
at said election the full choice of the
people was controlled by the pres
'ence or vicinity of the military forces
of the United States. The message
of Gov James L Kemper was then
read, of which the following is a
synopsis
Message of Gov. Kemper
The message opens with a brief
and temperate allusion to the preva-
lent political excitement and exasper-
alton which, though profoundly to be
deplored, are in cause and conses
quences beyond Virginia's control !;
and any untiuely intervention or
action on the part of the State would
tend TO aggrava,e rather than allay
the evil. But if, as there is reason to
expect, the struggle result in vindica
ting the will of the people in the
supremacy of civil over military
power, in return of peace, coupled
with justice to all sections and peo-
pie. then we shall begin new era of
enduring prosperity and reconcil-
iation. which hour of victory will be
welcomed by Vlrgiriaus with. their
accustomed moderation, calmness and
prudence But if wrong and usur-
patton overcome for a time all at :
tempts to arrest them, Virginia, so
long tried by the fiercest ordeals of
adversely. will not only join in every
legal, peaceful and constitutional effort
to rescue the liberties of the country,
but will know how to preserve it's
traditional composure and tortitude
through every vicissitude of the
future. And there is no contingency
conceived in which Virginia will
despair of the republic.
TIE STATE CREDIT AND FINANCES
The Governor then advises tn e
General Assembly to direct their
resolute and united labors to the
great domestic interests of the State
committed to its care. And he SAYS
the one great duty. of most, para>
mout obligation, is to re-establish at
the earliest possible moment the
credit Of the Common wealth, a con
summation for which there is most
auspicicus and present opportunity
The revenues of the State are sensibly
and steadily increasing and the general
expenditures ale being corresponding
" reduced, which latter will be still
further reduced in consequence II
recent changes of the constitution,
which are about to 90 into effect
Improvements on the revenue system
made at the last session are develop
ing excellent results, and guarantee
material increase OF receipts at the
treasury. There are also multiplied
evidences of steady and progressive
Improvement in taxable resources and
permanent revenues, and 1t is capable
OF demonstration that those resources
viii be equal to all demands upon the
treasury. Including interest on the
debt, without increasing the general
taxatlon.i Fully realizing all hereto
tore embairassments which have
made it impossible to carry on the
government and at the same time
satisfy just claims of creditors, the
Governor has no hesitation in saying
tha,alme has arrived for preparing to
pay at very early day fu!l interest
npon tbs State debt proper.
> AMOUNT OF THE STATE DEBT.
The Governor thinks there is much
misapprehension as well as nlisrepres-
sntation prevalent as to the amount of
the State debt. 1t has been inpro.
perly maupitied by STATING as mart ,,f