Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-01-16
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

The message of Governor Jacob, sent in to
the West Virginia Legislature on Friday, is
one of the best documents of the kind which
has ever emanated from an Executive of this
State, and does him more than usual credit
His reference to national affairs has q clear,
manly ring about it, and will commend itself
to the masses of other States as we'll as our
own as most thoughtful and satisfactory re-
view of the political situation, and his treat>
ment of State matters will be found wor>
thy Of serious consideration. In his Open
ing paragraph upon the Presidential contest,
he says: patriotism, forbearance and firm
adherence to well-settled principles, are me-
cessary elements in the solution of this ques-
ton party success is Of little weight when
far greater interests are at stake" In closing
the subject he declares: "This unhappy con-
troversy can be decided by Congress alone,
and no solution can be had except with the
consent of Congress; to Congress therefore
do the people look with confident expectation
of its amicable and just settlement Well
established principles and precedents, nearly
as old as the government itself, are land
marks for its guidance and it will do well to
follow them, disregardng all bubbles and
evasiye subterfugcs to march to a conclusion
according to the very right of the matter. 1
will not presume to intimate what course of
proceeding Congress ought to adopt; this is
to some extent left to its discretion and I
am unwilling to believe that it will ignore
fundamental principles and old precedents,
for the purpose of declaring any citizen to be
President who has not been rightfully elected
I sincerely hope, therefore, that Congress,
with the proper appreciation of its dignity
aud responsibility, will reach result honor
able to itself. just in its bearings on all parties,
and conducive to the best interests of the
country. Let this be done, and in tho future
We shall look back upon the present political
agitation as an ephemeral excitement, and
shall cite it as strong evidence of the vigor of
our institutions and their ability to bear the
severe strains by which they were tested"
The position of the Governor as to the pol
icy of State road appropriations will commend
itself to intelligent observers of the history of
the old State, asjust and proper. The states
ment as to the finances will bear out the sug-
gestions made as to future legislation required,
and the same remark may be made as to that
portion Of the message which applies to the
educational, charitable and penal institutions
Of the State. He is undecided on the matter
OF retaining the system of State Normal
Schools, but thinks somo definite action ought
to be taken either to maintain all or some of
them, or else abolish the system. The mes
sage closes with reference to particular laws,
which in the opinion of the Governor, re-
quire revision, recital of the action of the
Executive in the matter of filling the Sena
torial vacancy caused by the death of Senator
Caperton, and an alusion to the rapidly ap
preaching termination of his term of Office.
We will give our readers an extract of the
principal features of the message in our next
issue.
SALE BILLS printed neatly and at reason
able rates, at the Spirit Office.