The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-12-06
Gov. Kemper's Message.

The last annual message of Gov. kemper,
was READ to the General Assembly yesterday
at noon Like all of the documents pro-
ceeding from that source, it is extremely
lengthy and unnecessarily verbose, though
the style is not unattractive, and to those
who have tiae time and disposition to wade
through nine solid columns OF well con-
structed sentences il .gill not prove uninter-
estiug.
We have only space this week to note The
leading features of this paper, leaving for
aaOther OCCASION Il more extended notice.
After congratulation OH the prospects Of
Virginia, Gov. kenper reviews the causes
that have contributed to Der prostration in
the past, not the least OF which he thinks
was the Funding Bill
He places the whole of the States indebt
edness ST e33, 33S, S5S, which does not in
clade the sinking and literary funds. All
legislation looking to a notification or re-
peal of the funding bill, he deems both dam
gerous and impracticabie, and any measure
of whatever kind. intended to impair the re-
ceivability of the coupons, wouid be regard
ed as impairins the obligation OF the con.
tract and be condemned by the courts.
readjustment, lie thinks, can be pro-
cured until the State pays full current in
serest. When that shall be the case, he is
assured that a loan can be negotiated at
four per cent. sufficient to relieve the whole
debt. '
By biennial sessions, the operation Of the
Bell Punch, reduction Of expenses at Rich
mead, &C., the obligations OF the State can
be met ard Il surplus be left IN the treasury.
lie recommends various other Rse.les of re-
Trenchment. among which is the appoint
tnent of a State Board for the Equalization
of Assessments, and favors tax Oh oysters
and other minor modes Cor raising revenue.
His explanation of the default in the
school fund is by no means cnteely salts
factory, bat We cannot do it justice by 4 sy-
Iopsis which ceRld be accommodated TO onr
space.
Speaker Of the Virginia Legislature.
The members of the Virginia Legislature
elected as readjusters met in caucus at the
Exchange Hotel. in Richm md, on Tuesday
evening, when Judge Ii. C. Allen was Sc :
iected as the candidate for Speaker. Soon
afterwards the regular caucus was held in
The hall of the House of Delegates. to which
all the Conservative members including
those elected against the regular nominees.
and also several Republicans, were admit :
ted.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Walker,
pendents. This was voted down-General
Echols and Mr. VlnLcar voting 10 lay the
resolution on the table.
Another resolution was offered that all
who were not trae Conservatives be request
ed to retire from the hall. which WAS laid on
the table.
The caucus then proceeded to It's work.
Mr.. Fowler, OF Bristol, nominated Judge
ri. C. Allen, Of Shenandoah; Mr.. Elmonds,
of Halifax, nominated J. Marshall Hanger,
OF Augusta. Mr.. Harrison, OF Sussex, de-
rnandcd that the lines be drawn upon the
State debt question III the Caucus, as they
had been before the people, and fought out
in the Legislature. lie earnestly supported
Judge Allen. AIr. Coghli, Gen. Ecllols,
and others supported Mr.. Hanger. claiming
that he stood on the Conservative platform.
Mr.. Coghil deprecated the danger to the
Conservative Dartyin a division Oh the debt
question, as he feared it would dissolve the
party. asd rF
The vote was taken, resulting Allen -
danger 46; Bocock L. The chair declared
Judge Allen the nominee. Gen. Anderson
of Richmond, said that he did not feel bound
ny the action Of the caucus, rs Allen did M t
receive a majority of all the Conservative
laaembers of the Legislature--60.
Gen. Echois, speaking for Hunger, said
that he personally desired that the action of
the caucus should stin.
The House met at II n'elock NJ nn the
9TH, and Mr. Allen was elected. % .lker
without opposition.
Mr.. Bigger was Reelected Clerk.
There are but 30 out of 1872 old members
in the present House.
Mr.. Barbour. OF CHlprper, will lead the
readjusters in the Legislature, and will
doubtless be made chairman of the commit
tee on Finance. H