South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-01-18
THE GOVERNORS MESS AGE.
Following is Governor Wilson's
message 10 the Legislature:

message 10 the Legislature:
JANUARY ., 1899.
Gentlemen Of tic Senate and House
Of Delegates:
During the two years, 1887 and
1888, it became necessary in order
to meet the unusually large apptos
priations made by the last Legisl a
ture, to borrow S143,000. Of which
sum $i25,000 was borrowed from
banks and $4,000 from tho Board
OF the School Fun1, all Of which a,
mounts have since been paid, and, in
edition thereto, the cum Of S67,-
$40 s6, on account Of cl,ims li'el by
sberiffs prior to 1855. There has al.
So been paid $1,000 on account of
the $4,000 which VAS borrowed from
the Board OF the School Fund during
the years 1885 and 1886.
1t is very gratifying fact that for
the three fiscal years of the PRESENT
administration, ending September 80,
1883, there remains but one deliu :
quent sheriff in The State, and, in
that instance, the amount is less than
one tho usand dollars, and is in no
danger Of loss.
BY reaGon OF unavoidable delay in
preparing for the printer, the reports
from tie Executive Officers, and from
the Boards Of the various instiiu-
tons, | am unable, at this time, to
communicate concerning tie same,
but will do so as soon as pos I,
sible.
! FRAUDS AND CORRUPTION N ELEc-
Tons.
We have just passed the Fl 81 cen
tury OF our political existence. The
dangers which beset tue experiment
OF self. government have, SO far, been
averted, and The great Republic still
stands as lustrous example of. the
superiority OF democraiic-republican
institutions, of the happiness and con.
tentment Of free people, and of the
grand march OF human progress,
where the mansGles of despotism and
the divine right of kings are un-
! known.
1t is no mere American boast that
this is the best government the
world ever saw 1t stands forth az
a towering fact as we turn the pages
OF recorded time, whether OF ancient i,
medieval or mo lem history. IL is
the paramount duty OF patriotism.
whether OF the public or private citi.
zen, to observe, and, with jealous
care, guard our political organization
from every form Of danger and inno-
vstion. Proud Of The strength AMI
spleldor of our institutions as we are,
and have just right to be, we should
! profit nothing from the experience
of the past should wo reckon them
hey ond the dangers OF ambition and
corruption. Whether armed lelions
he bought with price to strike down
existing institutions, or the ballot in
the hands of free people be polluted
by the bribe giyer and the bdbe ia.
ker, the result. in the end, must be
one and the same thing.
The corruption OF the ballot must
bring with il loss of public conf
dence and the loss Of that confidence
can but pave and make straight the
way for the destruction Of existing
/ forms.
Upon the ballot rests the entire
superstructure OF our political fab
ric; and its corruption is more dan
| gerous than open revolt. for it unders
mines the very foundations with in
sidious debauchery. And yet this is
q peril to which our whole country is
this day exposed. Under the sham
/ OF campaign expenses vast sums
are raised and dis ributcl 10 corrupt
Tho voter and defeat the public will.
In many instances men are selected
for exalted public positions whose
only qualifications are on0rmyus
wealth AID o ready willingness TO
provide money TO tempt the INDECENT
AMI defle the ballot.b0x
Throughout the country, for
months last past, tho very atmosphere
has been laden with the cry OF fraud.
Reproach hos beel cast on orr State
as never before by illegal, fraudulent
and corrupt voting in almost every
county within It's borders. This is 50
palpable tbtt he who runs may read 3
The capitstions IN 1884 woss 1885,.
522. and the entire vote after the
most sctive political campaign ever
made in ttis State, 1887. The
capitalions for 1888 were 147,408.
and the entire vote l59,440. The diff
ference 10 tho capitations aud the
vote.in 1884, was 1908; in 1898 10
Is 1902. ibis shows al increase Of
votes IN four years Of 1883. which,
u legitimate, would indIc.lc fopus
lstion OF 100000. and an increase in
four yeSrs Of much more than 100000.
1t Is certain that no such increase
has taken place.