The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-11

ceHt' InOSe on alcoholic drinks varying
from 5tve to ten cents, and those on NAL
from taco and a hall to three cents on every
drink sold. So that you will see that the
subject will really bear a considerable bur-
den.'
lam quite certain your honorable bodies
will, as your predecessors, do everything in
your power to economize the resources oil
the State, whilst at the same time you make
them effective for the three great objects to
which, by the Constitution and laws. they
are dedicated-the support Of the govern
ment, the carrying on OF the public free
schools, and the payment of the debt. What
ever may be the views of some, | feel that
should the present funding bill by any
means be stopped in its execution it would
be a great misfortune. 1t has been regard
/ ed by the world as fair and honorable set
Element between the Commonwealth and
her creditors. and though the funding under
it has progressed with remarkable rapidity,
considering the impedlments that have been
thrown in its way, we have every reason to
believe that had no opposition been mani
tested, and its repeal not been mooted, the
bonds by this time would have been we'll
nigh all brought in to be funded under its
provisions.
l am not of those who, entrenched in the
assumed infallibilty of their own opinion,
believe all others to be wrong, and actuated
by impure motives or deluded by ignorance,
Human judgment is fallible. and give 9th
ers credit for integrity of purpose and purity
OF intention as l claim both for myself.
do not, cannot, believe that the members of
this General Assembly, however bitter may
have been the contests for their seats, or
however profound the feelings aroused in
the struggle, have now in their high places
anything but the good of Virginia at heart,
or will knowingly allow one aspersion, not
to say one wound, TO be inflicted upon her
welfare or her fame. Different views are
entertained of how this debt question ought
to be settled. This must be, when there
are so many different minds; it may be
viewing the question from so many different
standpoints. But in subject Of such diff
Guilty, surrounded and interviewer with SO
each cannot expect to have his own peculiar
views adopted to the exclusion of those Of
every other. There must be Cancellation
and compromise. The present law was the
result of the operation of just such motives.
Sure am, that the first thing-the pole
star, as it were, of any path along which we
may travels the constant and ever present
claim of the States honor and good name;
and though men may in moments OF excite
ment or forgetfulness treat them lightly, it
comes back when calmuess and memory
have resumed their place with thousandfolc
power to assert their supremacy.
Never was there time in Virginia's his
tory when such spiri5 was more urgently
demanded of those who have her destinies
in hand than that in which we live. Amid
the elements in play about US, filled with
fearful forces, it becomes those who are en-
r., krr,slI
her fate for veal or for woe, to discard pref
udice, to forget self, and to think only OF
how the Commonwealth can be brought
safely through into the fruiJion of the peace
and prosperity which her people once
enjoyed and which made them so respected
and so powerful. Selfshness, passion, and
prejudice have no business with us in legis-
lati0n at such an hour; they can only drive
US far and still farther from our moorIngs
and imperil for the present and the future
the States truest and best Interests. Con-
Citation and quiet reflection can lift us out
of the dangers which now threaten, and es-
tabish firmly tn 1se principles without which
there can be no growth in individual or ma
tional life, and with which true statesman
ship ever deals in reaching it's high and last
ing aims.
Such courses made Virginia's name his
a priceless heritage, however much it may
be spoken lightly of nowadays by men of
whom you would expect better and wiser
things. Under changes OF circumstances
and modes of thought which now prevail,
we cannot hope in the same role to be po-
tential again; the arena now is the field OF
material development, welded by numer-
ical forces. Aud in this field Providence
has blessed US beyond almost any equal area
upon the earth's surface. Resources un-
told and easily reached await the hand OF
capital and labor. I speak of my own
knowledge, obtained by reason OF the office
now hold, when say that both are ready
to come as soon as our financial difficulties
are satisfactorily and honorably settled. 1t
is not to be expected that they will come
before.
For six years or more the heavy incubus
OF business depression has rested upon the
bosom OF the entire country. Now there is
revival spreading with rapidity and with
cheerful influence. Let haste be made to
welcome it, with its rich freight, within the
borders of Virginia. Our finances are still
coming may pass us by. proclaim to the
world that Virginia does not intend to re-
pudiate her debt; that she spurns the mean
and horrid crime. The response is, let her
people prove it by their works.
May they be gifted with wisdom in this
day of the States trial and peril Discard
ing anger, self, and unmeaning passion,
may their representatives, in every depart
ment of the government, think only OF how
they can preserve her past renOWn and pro-
vide for her future. and, hope, fast-coming
greatness May we remember that her
credit and good name are indispensable IN
whatever scheme may be devised, and that
without them the structure, however impos-
ing in it's architecture or skllful in its device,
is built upon the sand aud will not be able to
stand the test of scrutiny or time.
submit the reports of the Superintendent
Of Public Instruction, the Treasurer, Second
Auditor, the Adjutant-General,S uperinuend-
ent of Public Printing, and Commissioner
of Agriculture, to which ! ask your atten-
ton. l submit also the various reports Of
the asylums and institutions Of learning and
Penitentiary, and ask your consideration of
the suggestions of their superintendent,
presidents and boards. Captain Charles D..
Mccoy, the most worthy and efficient Sup
erintendent of the Asylum for the sDeaf,
Dumb and Blind, has died since the adjourn
ment of the last General Assembly. The
board of Visitors of the Institution have
elected Professor Leonidas Poyntz to fill the
vacancy caused by his death. 1t is also my
duty to inform you of the more recent death
of DR.. Robert F. Baldwin, Superintendent
of the Western Lunatic Asylum. When
elected few years ago he was an eminent
physician in the full practice Of his profess
sion. He entered upon the discharge of his
duties at the Asylum with high sense OF
the responsibilities which belonged to the
the office, and SO bore himself as very soon
to win the confidence Of all by his ability,
faithfulness, and diligence in the discharge
of the great trust. His death is a loss to the
institution and to the protest. IN of which he
was so honored member. The vacancy
has not been filled.
A law was enacted at the last session stpro.
vding for the inspection of CATTLE" and the
Governor was ordered to appoint inspectors
at certain places. have had great difficult
ty in filling the appointments, and as yet some
of them are vacant, either because no suit
able person resided at the point specified OF
because could find no such person who was
willing to accept.
The James River and Kanawha canal re-