Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-01-20
The Governors Message.

The biennial message OF Governor
Fleming sent in to the West Virginia
Legislature few days ago gives
gratifying exhibit Of the progress of
this State. Since 1870 the population
has increased from 442,044 to 782,794,
an increase of 72.57 ;per cent. With
in the same period the railroad mile
age has increased from less than 400
to nearly l ZOO miles, or 325 per cent.
There has also been gratifying in
crease in live stock and the princi-
pal farm products, while the value of
mineral wealth has increased ia per
cent and the value of mineral pro-
duets 224 per cent. The coal output
increased from 1, 4O4, 0Os tons in 1880
to S,710,8SS tons in 1892, while in the
same time the coke produced in
creased from 121, 715 tons to 1913, 449
tons.
The financial condition Of the State
is highly satisfactory, and the Gov
ernor recommends a reduction in tax
alton for State purposes from 25 to 90
cents on the 800.
The Governor says the new election
Law, modelled after the Australian
ballot system and tried for the first
time at the late November election,
gave general satisfaction. 1T is nm
questionably," says Governor Elem
ing, "promotive Of free, '.untram-
meled expression of the popular will
and tends to lessen fraud and corrup-
ton at elections. The law should be
amended, however, so as to provide
for laying off each magisterial dis
trict into as many election precincts
as there are voting places therein,
and require each voter to vote with
in the precinct in which he resides.
This would compel all persons voting
to do so at voting places where they
are known and where their right to
vote could best be determined, and
would effectually prevent repeating
and other similar forms of fraud" In
regard to the boundary line between
West Virginia and Maryland Govern
or Fleming says he is of opinion that
1.-The matter should be adjudicated by
the Supreme Court of the United
States, believing that it can be more
safely, cheaply and speedily settled
in that tribunal than by arbitration.
The public school system is rapidly
extending, ''and the schools are bet
ter supported, better attended and
better taught and are doing more
practical and effective work than at
any other period in the States histo-
ry." The West Virginia University
continues prosperous and its useful
ness is increasing, while the State
normal schools are doing in most
satisfactory manner the important
work they were designed to accom-
plish.
The Governor says 1t is the duty of
the State, and an obligation it should
willingly assume, to vote funds suff1-
cient to establish and maintain thor
oughly organized and efficient militia
ry. The State, be says, should have
within her borders force of soldiery
of her own, easily accessible and suf-
ficient in point Of strength to keep
the peace and insure public safety.
The operations of the State Board
of Agriculture so far have been such
as to Indicate the ultimate success of
the Department.
The Governor recommends that
the married woman's law be changed
by repeating the amendments of the
last Legislature; that $25, 000addition-
al be given the Worlds Fair Board
for West Virginia's exhibit; that for
eign building and loan associations
be taxed and subjected to examina-
ton by the State Auditor; that the
State should build suitable mansion
for the use of the Governor.