throughout the country, is not new here. It has with greater or less severity prevailed in this State for years past, in consequence of the inequitable distribution of the national currency. While some of the States have allotted to them several times their due proportion of currency, Virginia is allowed less than one-third of the amount to which she is justly entitled. Prior to the war, Virginia had within her present geographical limits more than three times the amount of her present banking capital and currency; and yet, instead of this abrupt and alarming diminution, a large increase of both was obviously demanded by the revolution in business relations resulting from the emancipation of the colored race. It is too much to expect the full recuperation of our business interests, or our continued ability to yield required Federal and State revenues, unless these enormous inequalities are corrected. Upon every consideration of justice and interest, the Federal government should either cause the State to be supplied with its due proportion of national currency, or repeal the existing tax on State bank notes, and thus empower us to provide a circulating medium for ourselves. State Debt and Expenses. While I recommend earnest efforts to carry into effect the views and to obtain correction of the grievances set out in this message, it will not become us to depend solely or mainly upon assistance and relief from the general government. The surest way to obtain help from others is first to help ourselves. Obligations to public creditors, binding the honor and good faith of the Commonwealth, should be fulfilled to the utmost of her ability in any event and under all circumstances. No other calamity could inflict greater detriment, either moral or pecuniary, upon the whole body of the people than a deliberate breach of public honor. It is believed that a proper scrutiny of all appropriations of public money, the correction of every abuse, the abolishment of every unnecessary office, the enforcement of the strictest accountability on the part of all revenue officers, and the application of just principles of retrenchment to all branches of the public service, will lead to a reduction of expenditures, corresponding with the contraction of the limits of the State and the diminution in the means of the people, and, together with the taxing of such legitimate subjects of taxation as may have been unwisely or inadvertently exempted in the past, will enable us to meet all present demands upon the treasury without increasing existing rates of taxation. Such changes of our organic law as I shall at an early day recommend, would, in my opinion, lead to a reduction of present rates of taxation, without impairing any of the rights of creditors. Public Institutions. While enforcing a rigorous system of retrenchment throughout the entire public service, let us remember that there are cases in which a wise liberality is the truest economy. The care of our public institutions, educational and eleemosynary, must be generous to be prudent. The efficiency of our high schools, colleges and universities is no less essential to the future progress and power of the State than a wisely ordered system of common schools. The higher institutions of learning established and controlled by the State, as well as public schools of a lower grade, are entitled to the most liberal legislation compatible with the embarrassed condition of the treasury. Especially should the University of Virginia, the favorite legacy of Jefferson to his country, be provided with such aids and encouragements as will largely dispense its benefits among the meritorious poor of our youth, enlarge its means and facilities for instruction, so as to keep it abreast of the rapid advancement of the world in knowledge and science, and maintain its true position among the foremost similar institutions on the continent. At a time when the popular mind and energies are concentrated upon the work of repairing our shattered material interests; in a period of increasing utilitarian tendencies, let us not forget the wisdom contained in the noble words of a living statesman, that "it is not true that physical happiness is a principle on which you can build up a flourishing and enduring Commonwealth. A civilized community must rest on a large realized capital of thought and sentiment. There must be a reserved. fund of public morality to draw upon in the exigencies of national life. Society has a soul as well as a body. The traditions of a State are part of its existence. Its valor and its discipline, its religious faith, its venerable laws, its science and erudition, its poetry, its art, its eloquence and its scholarship, are as much portions of its existence as its agriculture, its commerce, and its engineering skill." The Central Water Line. I most earnestly recommend the renewal of every timely effort, and the use of all available means, to further the construction of the central water line, the great conception of Washington, the consummation of which is destined to signalize the present period in our history. The proposition, already submitted to congress to adopt it as a national highway, to be constructed by the general government and to be maintained and operated under its supervision, in the interest of the whole country, will receive the most effective aid at my command. The great want of the country, adequate transportation between the points of production and consumption, has become a vital question of the day, affecting on the one hand the profits of the western producer and involving on the other the more serious question of food to the eastern operative. It is a lamentable fact that while the want of cheap and abundant food is oppressively felt in many eastern sections, corn is yearly consumed as fuel in some of the grain-growing States of the Mississippi valley. The improvement of the natural water-ways of the country and their connections with each other and with the Atlantic seaboard by artificial water-ways, is not only necessary as supplemental to the transportation facilities afforded by railroads, but to secure that healthful competition which the interests of internal commerce demands. The natural water-ways are controlled by the general government, and it is equally and obviously proper that their connections with each other and with the Atlantic seaboard, especially when extending through two or more States, should be controlled by the same government for the whole people. The water-line, from the capes of Virginia to the mouth of the Ohio river, is located by parallels of latitude very nearly on the central line of the United States, and is as free from all injurious climatic influences as any existing or projected avenue of trade. The feasibility of the central water-line has been so often demonstrated by engineers of the highest reputation and skill; the colossal benefits to be derived from its completion have been made so apparent by years of careful and extended investigation, that it would seem the only question remaining to be decided by the general government is, whether it will complete the work on national account and control it in the interest of the whole country, or remit it to the States to be constructed by other means. While it might be of greater advantage to us that the work should be constructed by private capital, securing to the States of Virginia and West Virginia special benefits in return for the privilege granted, yet it is clear that its maintenance as a national water-way, free to all the people, would be incalculably more beneficial to the common country. Various and Special Recommendations. I respectfully invite your early attention to the following recommendations: That the law for obtaining revenue from the oyster interest be revised and so modified that the taxes upon that interest shall be the same imposed upon other legitimate subjects of taxation-conforming to the same principles, and discriminating neither to its prejudice nor in its favor; that the legal rate of interest on money be fixed and regulated in accordance with the plainly indicated will of the people: That speedy provision be made for payment of the semi-annual interest now due to public creditors, and that a permanent financial policy be matured and adopted which will obviate the necessity for special legislation in this respect in future; that the immigration system be thoroughly revised and rendered efficient, so as not only the better to induce immigration, but provide for the reception, care and protection of immigrants, their cheap and speedy distribution, and satisfactory location in all parts of the State; that the existing volunteer military organization, exerting a wholesome influence to prevent disorders, and constituting the indispensable means for suppressing them, should they unhappily occur, be liberally sustained, and its extension encouraged; that such moderate appropriation be made for the State board of health as will give efficiency to its important operations; that the existing penitentiary system be so changed and reformed as to be made certainly self-sustaining -avoiding, however, by all practicable means, competition between the labor of convicts and that of deserving mechanics and artisans, whose interests should be carefully considered and fostered; that the inappropriate and needlessly expensive office of salaried aid-de-camp, constitu ting a personal staff of a military character for the executive, paid and on duty as such in time of peace, an office which I decline to fill, be abolished, and such provision made for securing needful clerical assistance in this office as may appear to be proper; that the office of superintendent of public buildings, of comparatively recent origin as a separate office, as such wholly unnecessary, and creating a charge upon the treasury excessively disproportionate to the services performed, be abolished, and its duties devolved upon the adjutant-general, or such other officer as may be properly designated for the purpose, with such readjustment of the salary of the latter officer as the increase of his duties may render appropriate; and that each department and office of the government be rigidly inspected and scrutinized for the purpose of purging the public service of all unnecessary officers and employees. The opportunity and duty are ours to inaugurate a new era of efficiency in the government. If the task of building up the foundations of a prosperous Commonwealth be great, we have good assurance that here and now it can be happily accomplished. It was at an earlier period of her growth that Virginia, after leading in revolution, in achieving independence, in founding a government of constitutional liberty, was still able to strengthen the young republic, which her wisdom and valor had freely nurtured, and to enrich it with the dowry of a more than imperial domain. With motives not less pure than those which inspired our great forefathers, we have passed through suffering and sacrifice such as they were not called to endure; and the dire chastenings of adversity have fitted us to renew their virtues, and to signalize this as the true heroic age of our State. Let us rise above the controversies and passions of the past. By a noble union of all the elements of her strength; by promoting cordial relations among ourselves and the resolute co-operation of true men of all classes and parties of our people; "by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance and virtue," and by the wise and bold use of our great opportunities and resources, we will more than restore the pristine power and splendor of Virginia. The best of her possessions yet remains unimpaired. Emerging from great disasters, stricken with sorrows, mutilated, poor, a stainless honor crowns her brow-still shining with courage and hope. With great expectations, she now turns to the representatives of the people. My unremitting and laborious co-operation will second your every effort to advance the general welfare. And my profoundest desires, my sole ambition, will be accomplished in the glory of the Commonwealth. JAMES L. KEMPER. Mr. Jack Carter moved that the message be laid on the table, and that 1,500 copies be printed for the use of the house. Mr. Paige moved to strike out 1,500 and insert 1,000, which was agreed to. The resolution as amended was agreed to. On motion of Mr. Taylor, the house adjourned until to-morrow at 12 o'clock M. FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 1874. Prayer by Rev. Moses D. Hoge, of the Presbyterian church. The speaker laid before the house a communication from the board appointed by the governor to visit Mount Vernon, (Doc. No. 1.) The speaker laid before the house a communication from the executive in relation to pardons, reprieves, commutations, etc., of punishment during the year 1873. (Doc. No. 2.) The speaker laid before the house the following communication from the clerks of the senate and house of delegates in relation to the proposed amendments to the constitution of Virginia in relation to county organizations: CERTIFIED COPY OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS Proposing amendments to the constitution of Virginia in relation to county organizations. To the General Assembly of Virginia: RICHMOND, January 1st, 1874. We have the honor to transmit herewith a certified copy of joint resolutions proposing amendments to the constitution of Virginia in relation to county organizations, and providing for the publication of the said amendments, and for the communication of a copy thereof and of these resolutions to the general assembly to be chosen at the next general election of senators and members of the house of delegates, together with a certificate of publication by the publisher of the newspaper in which the proposed amendments have been published. Very respectfully, your obedient servants, SHELTON C. DAVIS, Clerk of the senate of Virginia. Clerk of house of delegates of Virginia. OFFICE CLERK OF HOUSE OF DELEGATES OF VIRGINIA, The following proposed amendments to the constitution of Virginia, in relation to county organizations, is published as required. J. BELL BIGGER, Clerk of the house of delegates of Virginia. JOINT RESOLUTIONS Proposing amendments to sections one, two, three and four of the seventh article of the constitution of this Commonwealth in relation to county organization, for publishing said amendments and certifying the same to the next general assembly. [Agreed to March 31, 1873.] Resolved by the senate and house of delegates (a majority of the members elected to each of the two houses agreeting thereto), That the |