The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-12-10

nope the means VIII be Tied 10 tnat end
and DauviIie railroads. and heir southern con-
every fidelity for forwarding and returning
these specimens. It IL also proper that thanks
COL Randolph Harrison 20 for valuable s services
gratnitonsly rendered In IT'S behalf.
THE rENITSATIAEY.
Transmitted to you through the public printer.
viii be the E, report Of the superlntsndent and
lieye that the conduct OF that institution has
been honest and efficient. The theoretical
such institutions does not belong to me at this
time do, however. reiterate the wish that
established, so that distinction might be made
in the treatment OF criminals. as to the age and
circumstances OF guilt: Under the criminal
laws now existing no difference Is made, after
conviction. as to minors or In regard to persons
TO whom only constructive guilt attaches. To
force upon either one OF these classes the con-
ditions of felony and association with felons is
to destroy the real object OF punishment and
to insure the education and continuance in
crime OF the individuals so punished.
! CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
You will receive reports of the proper officers
from the various charitable aud educational
institutions supported by public money. Dur
sembly acts were pas ed over the objections
of the executive, taking from the leading co..
wheh psd IN e 5s
times to control by appointment of the direc-
tors truestees. or visitors, all such instltu-
lions. That any good has come from this de.
parture from sound policy and breach Of well
established precedent 1t 10 due to myself and
testify that the board of public works. in Which
the new appointing power was placed has in my
opinion, exercised 1t as wisely and honestly as
the circumstances of the case would admit.
1t was O mistake to constitute this board of
| three officers Of the government. whose time
the law and constitution. It is also true thai
| these same officers. including the governor,
were made members of various other public
boards with extraordinary duties assigned to
them beyond those conferred upon the governor
both auditors, or the treasurer, by the consti.
tuition and laws of the commonwealth. Surely
no ques. ion can be made as to my motive when
l say: Opinion dictated and experience has
proved nat the authority referred to should
Power and responsibility should live together
And the voice of Yirgintans from 1919 until the
the governor of Virginia shall be en-
trusted With the full powers attaching to his
office.
Aside from these general considerations. q
very disastrous experience demonstrates that
the statutes organizing the colored normal and
looked into with view to amendment az at
present written the statute requires that SIX Of
shall be colored persons. It Is indisputabIs thai
portion OF this board should consist OF repre-
sentatives of the race for whose benedt the coll
| lege was instituted. But do not thiEk the
| law should make a formal presentation of the
color l1ne but leave the constitution OF the
| power.
y. Yoa !, viii =, be called upon to appropriate
| stroyed by fire at the Eastern Lunatic Asylum,
and hope that action including q proper sup
ply Of funds to expedite the completion of the
new asy iums az Petersburg and Marion, will be
taken without unnecessary delay. AS to the
| asylum at Marion, the work has proceeded
most satisfactorily so far and the board has
accomplished fne results with the funds at
their disposal.
The condition OF the public institutions of
a i1HAey nrH4 on h.
formed on the reports herewith communicated
to yon. trust. while giving every dollar
free school system, that the legislative body Of
Virginia Will spare no liberality In dealing with
the college for special training at Blacssburr,'
the female normal school at Fsrmville, the In
st1tute at Petersburg already referred to and
the institution at stanton for the deaf, dumb
and blind.
L am sure that 1t will only be necessary to
for public assistance to che Lee Home for CON
Iederate veterans. BY private subsori ptions,
large proportion Of which has been furnished
by persons opposed to the confederacy during
the war. about fifty disabled VirgInian soldiers
have been provided for. NO reason occurs to
ginia should not make liberal provision for the
men, who. in obedience to her call brought up
on themselves the suffering and poverty which
we now seek to ameliorate. II not to relieve
KLEcTIoN LAWS
On the 2lst of November 1884, in returning to
the senate without approval senate bill enti-
manner
choosing registrars. Judges and clerks Of eiee.
tlons," repeat some views expressed on the
9th Of January, 1882. to a legislative body Of
which large majority consisted of my political
associates, as follows:
.sIn the interest of a full and free expression
Of the popular will recommend rigid scru-
tiny and purglng OF the election laws, many OF
the provisions OF which are subyersive of the
ends professedly sought. The basis of all re-
confidence. Both are secured when the people
are satisfied that, having freely sought the bal
dnfFo r11
turned according to the truth. Any system
which Is so framed as to admit doubts upon
fnese points must, whether It be honestly or
content. Elections should as far as possible
take place, In, sight of the people. 1 would
visions for the appointment of Judges of elect |
ions from opposing political parties, with PEN
alties attached for failure In the app0intinv
power to observe the requirement.; and adj
mitting the presence of representation of each
political party interested In an election, while
the vote IS received, canyassed, counted and |
certified
These words were written when the whole |
OF the party by whose votes had been elected. |
As the law then stood. the entire control Of the |
party. then insisted. and do now, that such
should not be the case.
can say nothing as to what The appointing |
power may be. can only say that the appoint !
ing power should be directed to make such ap. |
pointment of registrars and judges as to pre-. |
vent any obstrncfions OF false returns Of the !
These views ars reiterated In the arm belief |
th&t the Hnal Judgment of all parties viii con- |
firm them,
MISCELLANEOUS.
Under the pressure of public business and In |
the absence ofreports from some governmental |
departments, 1t Is needful to ask your In |
aggHnee Ior rev days as to some details Of
uary 1st 1855.
[Signedl WILLIAM e. CAMERON.
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