Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-01-20
From the Wheeling Register.
The Governors Message.

decidedly the best State paper emanating from
the Executive oGice Of West Virginia siace 1t
has been a State Gov Jacob treats of mat
tiers Of State interes. with clearness and IA
niliarity which an administration of six years
would give him, bence his suggestions are to
be well considered and will be found 10 be
valuable 10 the members Of the Legislature in
shaping our future State policy. The Cover
nor sets forth his reasons for ye,oing the road
bills Of last session, aud while recognizing the
advantages Of good highways, very wisely snS-
gests that the ,rne policy would be to leave all
/ improvements Of this character 10 the various
counties for the reason that If taxes are raised
in the locality where they are 70 be disbursed,
the public expenditures are more closely
watched and more jndiciously and economical
| ly expended While on the other hand if the
/ distribution Of O road fund was left TO the
/ Legislature, that bane oi all legislation known
as "log rolling" would produce such irregu-
| lariiies 10 the distribution Of the fund, as to
/ render it practically Of little value.
! lie regards the financial condition Of the
/ State as satisfactory. but owing to the increase
4 Of the delinquent returns the arTearagcs Of
/ SheriIs and the failure on the part Of the
State, which be hopes, however, may only
prove temporary, to realize anything from the
amount in the hands Of the Merchants Bank
! Of Charleston, he recommends FIR the coming
wear a reduction 10 public expenditures and
/ thus keep the appropriations down to the low
est limit practicable, and avoid an increase in
the State tax. The depressed state Of business
will readily enforce tho sJundness OF this sug-
eestiou in the direction Of economy upon the
/ mon bo,- of tho | ogislaturp
In discussing the condition Of tho various
public institutions Of the State, the Governor
thinks that no legislation is needed fur the
Deaf. Dumb and Blind Institution. other than
the customary appropriations. The Hospital
for the Insane is in a good condition, the &C
commodations having been increased but uu-
fortunately are not yet sufficient Tor the de-
nands, number Of patients being yet con-
fined 10 isil, awaiting room in the public aSy-
lum. The Governor suggests that as many
patients are received who are incuraby insane,
that some other accommodation he provided
for that class, admitting only those TO the asy-
lum who have q hope Of being benefited by
the course OF treatment pursued there; making
the institution hospital rather than an 0Sy-
Inn. As some beneficial changes may be
made in this respect, the attention Of the Le-
gislature is called to its consideration. The
condition Of the University at M1rgantown is
not so satisfactory as might be desired the at
tendance not being so large as in former years,
but accepts the explanation Of the Regents
upon the ground Of the long continued de-
preston in all financial and business enterprises.
For reasons which appear very satisfactory, the
Governor does not endorse the TecommeDda-
ton of the Regents for additional appropria-
tions for the purpose Of establishing the addi-
tional Departments Of law, Medicine and Nor-
NAL instruction. The Penutentiary having
been completed and the labor Of the conyicts
being DO longer required In constructing The
building and walls, he thinks that institution
should be self-suStaining, aud by proper legis-
latioa should be made 10 yield revenue to the
State in the future The suggestion is a very
true one, that as long as the public treasury
can be looked to, the proper stimulus will be
wanting to make il self-sustainiDg The To-
crease Of crime and the lawlcsS hanging Of GER
tain individuals in the southern portion Of the
State is deplored and very properly condemned
His suggestion as to the composition of the
boards fJF the various institutions is sensible
as well as fair. The compliment paid to the
city Of Wheeling for the beautiful, commodi-
Gus and well arranged building which has been
furnished the State free Of charge is well de-
served. His accommodation for the abolition
Of the office Of Jauitor is a sensible suggestion
as the State is too poor and times too hard &c
keep up siuccuTo positions for worn out poll
ticiaDs
The naked statistics presented in reference
to the condition Of free schools afford substAn-
tjal grounds Of qualification that Tie cause Of
education has PROGRESSED so rapidly in ouI
young State under Democratic administration
! One Of the most importan. recommendations
by the Governor is 10 relation TO the revision
and codifcation Of The laws.
The Governor davotcs considerable space e
the discussion Of Federal affairs, which might
/ more pr ,perly have been referred to BY Us at
The outset.
The Governor appreciates the gravity Of The
subject, and discusses it 10 . clear concise and
pointed style. lie docs not stop at general
charge Of fraud and corruption on The part Of
the Returning 30 rlS Of the South, bat hi
goes into details and specifically points out the
wrongs that have been done. The constant
and active Interference Of the Federal govern
ment 10 the Affairs Of the States is scathingly
rebukcd. But we think that the bubble Of
l0tlIlltdl'U rs iuNitl..h Ill VIC altt'i III
the Returning Boards is thoroughly prickol
and exploded By the Governor when he says
" II intimidation has been used, The proper
thing 10 30 is to punish the parties guilty Of it,
but MT 90 deprive the voter Of his legal night
by rejecting lis vote because Of the miscon-
duet Of others" Every good citizen and hon
est man must concur in the opinion that to
oyerawe a voter and deprive bin Of his free
dom Of choice is wrong, but 20 deny him his
freedom Of choice by rejecting lis vote is a
greater aud more eXaspersting wrong.
This is the last annual message Of Governor
Jacob, bis term of Office expiring on the 9Th q
March next, having filed the executive chair
far SIX consecutive years Some portions Of
/ Governor jacobs administration have been
stormy, be having 10 some instances Offered
widely in bis views upon matters Of public
policy with the majority Of the Democratic
party yet while many thought that he erred
10 judgment, none have ever doubted his hon
esty He has been diIisent and attentive in
The discharge Of his duties, and looking to
what be believed to be the best Interests Of the
State lie viii retire from The position to
which he has been elevated by his fellow citi-
zens. carrying with him the esteem and con
fleuce Of the people Of the entire State.