Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-01-18
The Governor,s Message.

comprises nine columns in the Wheeling Re-
CUSTER, and is too long for our columns. The
Register gives a review Of 1T. a part Of which
we append
The message Of Governor Mathews. viii be
regarded as a very thorough, instructive and
satisfactory review OF the concerns OF the State.
Ii cannot prove otherwise than a valuable aid
to the Legislature, and 20 each member, 10 OBJ
tanning a compact and comprehensive view ol
the work demanded at their hands as well as
for the very judcions suggestions aud recon-
mendations regarding the character Of the
measures to be adopted
The condition Of tie foances of the State
shows that the co1iagiou for bankruptcy, in
these times Of debt and depression, has not
yet taken hold Of our State, but on the con-
trary the balance in the State Treasury at the
close of the last fiscal year, was larger than
during any other year since the creation Of the
State More than this, says the Governor the
people have paid their taxes, apparently
with uuusual ease and cFediable punctuality
The sheri!is have with commendabie prompt
uess. paid their collections into the public
treasury" And d" there have been
fewer failures Of business men than IN any
other State Of equal area and population. -
( lis is certainly q very gratifying and excep-
/ lioual condition Of things al this particular
! time, and speaks well for the administration
Of the government e the State IA a. It's de-
partments.
An the public institutions Of tie State are
+ To- creditabic condition aud well administer
ed with The exception Of The Insane Asylum
I f.f
to accommodate the number Of patients that
should be cared for ana that the State is in
+ duty bound TO make provision for.
! 1t is already crowded with over hundred
more patients than it is designed to, or can
properly, provide fer Beside this :hcro are
now lying around in the jails Of the State.
/ eighty-:wo other insane persons, that can not
I have the benefit OF treatment, and who are, by
this delay, cut of from hope Of recovery. We
I hope that this part Of the Governors message
may, iu the interest Of humanity, receive due
attention.
THE reference Of tie message 60 the opera
lions Of our Free Schools Is both compliment
tary TO the State Superintendent and shows
very satisfactory results IN the management Of
/ the finances mad increased efficiency IN the
/ work q the schools The report Of the super
/ iu;endeuf, TO which SIC referred at length, yes
teraay, confirms these conclusions aud other
wise furnishes a very exhaustive review Of thc
whole subject.
The Governor iins very heartily in tie gen.
cral demand or califation of the statutes.
and 20 this connection presents some specific
and very cogent reasons why the work should
/ not De deferred BE specifies nine different
3 fr 10 o.
/ tious which are Of doubtful aud di!icult con-
strUci.ou, OF otherwise iuharmonious and con-
/ iicting. ana we arc wei assured that be has
not exhausted the subject. lie suggests that
1 the work should be submitted toa Commission
Tile Governor ably discusses West Nirginias
/ liability FER portion Of the aut-war debt Of
/ Virginia lie reviews the history on the sub
cct and shows the amount OF the liability that
/ would result from a settlement uudcr each OF
I the several propositions heretofore advanced.
/ Under the ordinance Of the Convention 70
I rc0rranjze the government Of Virginia. assem-
/ bled in Wheeling IN 1861, il was provided that
/ % tho new State shall take upon itself a just
/ proportion of the public debt OF the Common
wealth of Virginia, prior to tho first day OF
January 1861, 20 Be esceriained, &c, as there
( in set forth.
! The first Constitution Of the State also con-
! tanned provision 20 toe same effect Acting
ru2er these provisions and the authority con-
/ ferrel By resolution Of the Legislature of 1871
/ commissioners were appointed to treat With
+ the authorities ~ Virginia on the subject OF
tie proposed adjustment They failed to OBJ
tain conference with tho authorities of Nir-
guia, bat adopted as tho principal or basis
upon which be debt should be adjusted, the
/ benefits conferred on me TWO States by tle
/ proceeds Of the bonds which represented tae
/ debt. add arrived 40 The conclusion that Tie
/ balance due 20 Virginia was $685. &c.
! IT, however. the rule Of settlement shall be
/ that prescribed hy the ordinance Of the con-
ycntion. 20 which we have referred. It is stated
/ that balance viii be ascertained 10 favor OF
I West Virginia OF S525 600.
The Governor asserts that Test Virginia las
/ always desired 20 act 10 eooi aiih and fairness
( iu this matter. aud II we are indebted % Viz
eina. the doot should be promptly recognized,
provision made for its payment, AID the mat
ten finally set at rest