The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-06

have left to the two former a legacy OF
debt and material decay which should, in
/ my judgment, have remedy now. Both
I institutions are now easily self-supporting
under proper management; but it Is asked
/ that their affairs be investigated by special
committees II necessary. 10 the end that all
aid which can be afforded by the State shall
! be given TO these nurseries OF Virginia tai
ent and manhood.
Some action should he taken at your
present session in regard to the claim OF
| the Washington and Lee University for
certain bonds OF the State alleged to have
been donated 10 that institution by the late
George Peabody. and stated TO have been
lost in the wreck fthe steamer Arctic in the
year 1854. A suit against the Common
wealth was held in the Circuit Court Of ths
city OF Richmond under special enact
ment OF the Legislature, and shortly
after the incoming OF the present EX-
ecutive q decree from that court was
presented TO him ordering his issuance OF
bonds TO cover their number with inter-
est thereon) to the plaintiffs who had re-
covered judgment against the State. The
Governor recognized no right OF any court
| in the Commonwealth to order him to per-
form any act which no law required or au-
! thOI'iZed him TO perform. The bonds not
| issued under the acts OF 1871 and 1879 had
already been burned in the presence OF the
Governor by direction OF the General As
sembly. The act OF February II, 1882,
only authorized the issuance OF bonds TO
certain amount TO cover a stated amount
Of other bonds in principal and interest.
Nor did the Governor in an any event have
the right 10 issue a bond. The Board Of
Sinking-Fund Commissioners alone were
authorized TO issue bonds under that act,
and restricted TO a certain amount. There
fore, It was not considered in the province
OF the Governor TO settle this claim.
Nevertheless, under the act OF 1SSl-'S2 atl-
thorizing the payment to schools and col
leges of per cent. interest on any estab-
li,hed claim (see chapter 1914, Acts 1SSl-'S2),
certain amount Of interest was paid on
this claim, the receipt gwen stipulating
that the amount so paid should be subject
10 such deduction as might be consequent
upOn the mode OF settlement finally made
bv the General Assembly. II is recon-
mendcd that Washington and Lee Uniyer-
sty be allowed TO fund the whole claim,
principal aud interest, in new 3 per cent.
bonds mt the rate prescribed for the class OF
securities which they claimed to have
owned under the act OF February II, 1882.
OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Transmission is made herewith Of re-
port. from all the charitable institutions Of
The state. and your examination Of their
conduct is requested. From such inyesli-
CATION as the Executive has been able TO
give them there is no reason 10 criiiciSe
their management. The lunatic aSylumS
OF the state have been we'll conducted, and
no longer exists the disgrace heretofore
resting upon Us OF a want OF provision for
this most unhappy class. Additional
buildings have been erec;ed at Williams
burg and extensive repairs and improve
mepts made at Staunton. while the con-
strlction OF the new asylum for the color
ed at Petersburg is progressing satisfactO-
rilv. For details YOU are referred 10 the
report, OF the several boards and superin-
tendentS.
BOUNDARY LINES.
4 long-veXed queStion-that OF the pro-
Der boundary line between Maryland and
VirginG-is ut last, we may hope. about to
be settled. Under the concurrent iegis-
cation Of both States endorsing the re-
port OF the commissioners OF arbitratorS,
and in compliance with law, your EXecu-
tive, i'm conjunction with the Cover
nor Of Maryland, has recently employed
AN engineer officer OF the Federal army TO
accompany the commissioner OF each state
in LAYING out the meteS and bounds OF the
line 50 established 1t has always been my
opinion that the rights and interests OF OuT
people were sacrificed in this matter Cto
} which presently more particular allusion
shall be made). but the duty Of the ENecu'
; five is simply TO carry out the law as he
finds it.
OYSTER INTEREST.
While dealing with subjects relating to
the State OF Maryland it is an eNigent duty
10 call your attention to the manner III
which this Commonwealth ha, been treated.
In March. 1889, a committee OF the Legls'
lafure OF that State came TO Richmond,
bringing with them the sketch OF bill
said 10 represent their mode OF settlement
OF all questions in dispute between the two
States. Referring to chapter 1876, page 1874,
Acts 1SS1-'S2, il will be found that the Le-
gis'alure Of Virginia promptly passed, and
the Governor approved. " IN act to define
the true boundary line between Maryland
and Virginia, to designate the headland>
upou the Potomac river, and 10 prOhbll
unlawful oyStering and dredging on the
Potomac river and Roanoke sound" b"
This act was founded on joint agree
ment between committees Of the General
Assembly OF Virginia and that OF Mary
land. and was passed and approved ut
the request Of authorized representatives
of the State OF MARYLAND, and under the
expressed condition that the State OF Mary
land would Immediately pass a similar act.
our sister State, after inviting oLr action.
sineularly failed to respond. The repeal
Is urgently recommended OF chapter 1856 OF
the Acts OF 1SS1-'2, approved March |,
1882.
I'm protection OF the oyster interest OF
Ithi, State it has been found necessary to
make some expenditures outside OF the
regular appropriation. The Executive
finds that Maryland. for instance, has a
fleet OF nine vessels engaged IN suppress
Inc unllwfu dredging upon lis oyster
beds. Virginia has no means OF protec-
tion 10 her interests in this regard. which
ore the largest on this continent. \ special
message will be sent 10 your body on this
subject, stating my past action, and asking
for more scope a to power ana money 10
protect this great source OF Nirglnlan
wealth.
LEE MONUMENTAL PUND.
This fund, consisting Of moneys collect
ed all over the country had been prior to
the administration Of the present Board
largely invested in State securities OF va
rioI,s classes. Attention is called 10 the
recommendation which accompanies the
renort Of the secretary Of the Board. II
has nv earnest approval. The state is able
10. and should, redeem In money every
dollar Of her securities invested in that
fund. -
GENERAL TOPICS.
The condition of the State as to health
and prosperity is such that congratulations
NAV Inc exchanged. Providence has eX-
h'"! -. ILL ,rnninl GUNS md 70