Year: 1877




JACOB sent to the Legislature on yester-
day and which we publish in full ths
morning is . plain. sensible document
and one which will be read with interest
BY the people of our state. Taking 1t
altogether we regard 1t as decidedly the
best state paper enanating from the Ex-
ecutive Office of West Virginia since it
has been State. Gov. JACOB treats OF
matters of State interest with clearness
and tsmiliarityIwhlch an administration
OF ak years would give HIM, hence bis
suggestions are to be we'll considered and
will be found 10 be valuable to the men,
bers OF the Legislature IN shaping our fu-
ture State policy The Govesbor' sets
forth his reasons tor vetoing the road
bills of last session, and whlle recogniz.
ing the advantages of good highways,
very wisely suggests that the true policy
would be to leave all improvements OF
this character to the various counties for
the reason that if taxes are raised IN the
locality whore they are to be disbursed,
the public expenditures are more closely
watched and more judiciously and
economically expended. While Cd the
other hand if the distribution OF road
fund was left to the Legislature, that
D.ne Of all legislation known as LOG
rolling, would produce such Irregular.
ties in the distribution of the fund, as to
render it practically of little value.


He regards the financial condition OF
the State as satisfactory, but owing TO
the increase of the delinquent returns the
arrearsges of Sheriffs and the failure on
the part of the State. which ne hopes
however, may only prove temporary, to
realize al ything from the amount in the
hands OF the Merchants Bank Of Charles
ton, he recommends for the coming year
q reduction in public expenditures and
thus keep the appropriations down to the
lowest limit practicable, and avoid an in
crease in the State tax. The depressed
state of business will readily enforce the
soundness of this suggestion in the direc-
tion of economy upon the members ofthe
Legislature.


In discussing the condition Of the
various public institutions of the State,
the Governor thinks that no legislation
is needed for the Deaf, Dumb and
Blind Institution, other than the custo-
mary appropriations. The Hospital for
the Insane is in q good condition, he
accommodations having been increased
but unfortunately are not yet sufficient
for the demands, a number of patients
being yet confined in Jail, awaiting room
in the public asylum. The Governor
suggests that rs many patients are re.
ceived who are incurably insane, that
some other accommodation be provided
for that class, admitting only those TO
the asylum who have hope of being
benefited by the course of treatment
pursued there, making the institution a
hospital rather than an asylum. AS
some beneficial changes may be made in
this respect, the attention OF the Legisls-
ture is called to its consideration. The
condition OF tho University at Morgan
town is not SO satisfactory as might be
desired, the attendance not being SO
large as in former years. but accepts the
explanation of the Regents upon the
ground OF the long continued
depression in all financial and
business enterprises. For reasons
which appear very satisfactory. the
Governor does not endorse the recon-
mends.ion OF the Regents for sddi-
tlonsl appropriations for the purpose of
establishing the additional Departments
of Law, Medicine and Normal 1nstruc-
tion. The Peni.entisry having been
completed and the labor of the convicts
being no longer required in constructing
the building and walls, he thinks that
institution should be self sustaining, and
BY proper legislation should be made to
yield revenue to the State in the
future. The suggestion ls very true
one, that as long as the public
treasury can be looked to, the proper
will be wanting 70 make 1t
self sustaining. The increase OF crime
and the lawless hanging Of certain
individuals in the southern portion OF
the State is deplored and very properly
condemned. His suggestion as to the
of the boards for the var
ious institutions is sensible as well As
fair. The compliment paid to the city of
Wheeling for the beautiful, commodious
and we'll arranged building which has
been furnished the State free of charge
is we'll deserved, though it ia reasonable
70 suppose ,hs. there are those who do
no: feel especially grateful TO the Gov
ernor for reference 70 this subject. His
Recommendation for the abolition of the
office Of Jsnitor is . sensible suggestion,
As the State is too poor and times too
hard to keep up sinscure positions for
worn out politicians.


The naked statistics presented in ref
erence TO the condition Of free schools
AFFORD substantial grounds of grstifcs-
ton that the cause Of education has pro-