Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-01-17
Editor.
Tho Goirrnnr,s Mrssnrn,

The Governor sent his first an.
message to the Legislature on the
9th-thc day the body convened.
We have carefully peru,rd it aud pro-
nounCc ii an excellent State paper,
reviewing at length the condition of
the state, its finances, public institu-
tions, etc, and containing many
good recommendation which will
well deserve the careful Considcra-
tion OF the Legislature.
With laudahlc pride in the won
dertul growth Of our material indus
tries, the Governor calls attention to
the unprecedented development of
our oil a'ru coal fields, showing that
in lNNN the production Of oil was
ll9,IiN barrels in 1892, 300 900 bar
rclS, which were sold for 81, l0O, 600,
and in 1893 about 1900, 900 barrels,
which, at an average of so cents a
barrel, sold tor more than 81, OOO, 900.
lie shows that the production of
coal has grown from 900, 900 tons in
1876 to l0,70S,57S tons in 1893, and
that, Notwithstanding the strikes,
loCk0utS, etc, Of last summer, the
production in 1894 was 9, I2S, OG5 tons.
y similar increase is shown i'm the
production of coke, going from
22N, 600 tons in 1854 to over 5000, 600
tons in 1894. He puts the annual
product Of lumber at l25, 600, GOO feet
Of poplar, 100000 600 hard wood,
10000, GOO, spruce with millions of
feet OF white pine, and claims that
we have the largest body of hard
woods in the Union.
The financial affairs of the State
the Governor represents as in an adj
mirable condition with large bal
ancc in the treasury, and shows that
all the public institutions have been
wisely and economically managed.
He dwells at length on the free
school system of the State, recon-
mendS a general revision of the law
on this subject and opposes the crea-
ton of independent school districts
as an abuse Of the free school sys.
tenn and as unjust to the poorer parts
Of the State.
He calls attention to the large in
crease in the criminal charges of the
State, and declares that this increase
is largely due to collisions between
justices and constableS in instituting
felony proceedings when the offense
charged is nothing more than a mis-
demcan0r. Another cause of the in
crease in these criminal charges, he
says, is the conveyance of convicts
to the pCnitentinry by sheriffs, which
annually necessitateS the cXpendi-
ture Of large sum. To lessen these
charges by SheritfS, he recommends
the system in vogue at the asylum
rs far more economical.
lie thinks. too, that the employ
ment OF court stenographers is also
getting to be an abuse, declaring that
in one circuit the stenographer's fees
were greater than the salary of the
Judge.
The Governor reviews briefly the
history OF last years strikes and the
employment OF the State troops to
suppress them, and speaks in high
terms of the conduct OF the soldiers
in these trying emergencies. The
strikes were all suppressed without
bloodshed or the firing Of n gun.
lie recommends legislation for the
better taxation Of telegraph, tclc-
phone, Insurance and express COM
panieS, the rolling stock of railroads,
sleeping cars, etc, and better laws
to protect the people against imposi.
ton from wildcat building and loan
companies.
AS punishment to the voter for
selling his vote, the Governor re-
commends that the voter be dist'ran-
chised and rendered ineligible to of.
flee. He thinks this will be far more
effective than the punishment now
provided, and it can hardly be
doubted that it would be.
The message is an interesting docu-
ment from beginning to end, and one
that will we'll repay careful
perusal.
A WHITE ELEPHA Mt THE pre-
sentation of the Governors message
in the House Of Delegates yesterday
week ago caused scene Of cunfu-
sion confounded in the hall. Pande-
monium reigned. The House had n
white elephant on its hands which
no one knew what to do with. The
Republicans had the disposition of
the dOcumaet and were doubtless
jealous Of any suggestion from the
other side as to what should he done
with it. MIR. \. moved to lay the
message on the table, whilst Mr.. b.
considered that position under the
table would be a more appropriate
disposition Of it. Mr.. {. opposed
these motions and moved post
ponment Of its reception. Mr.. ID.