were turned loose without their accustomed restraints, ignorant and reckless, uncultivated in their morals, regardless of the rights of others, with no respect for society and regardless of law. It therefore became necessary that the people should protect themselves. There was a nameless offence sometimes perpetrated upon defenceless females, for which nothing, in public opinion, could atone, but the death of the perpetrator. Throughout the State and the south, and all through the country, so far as I know, the offender, whoever he might be, forfeited his life, and whenever taken and identified was immediately lynched. The outrage was too great to trust to the delays and uncertainties of the courts; it was deemed best to apply a quick and certain remedy, the only safe protection for society. This met with the acquiescence of all classes of people, and I can recall no prosecution which was instituted against those who were guilty. This dangerous resort to a terrible remedy can only be excused under such circumstances as those through which the country was then passing, and now that the crisis is over and our courts are again in the hands of our citizens, the good people should no longer give way to these moments of excitement, occasioned by outrageous infractions of the law, but await calmly the result of a fair trial for its vindication, and the infliction of the merited punishment. The recent experience at Roanoke is a fearful example of the dangers of mob law. Lynching is an expedient which has been often appealed to as a remedy, but it has never proven a preventative. The vengeance of the people has been visited upon ruffians, time and again, but it has failed to deter others because the infliction is so speedy as to deprive justice of its terror, to evil-doers, which a trial and the solemnities of the death sentence, and the tragic execution, serve to strike into the hearts of 'all. I would appeal to the people to await trial of all offenders, by the duly constituted courts. This is the safest and is the best because it is the law.

FINES, COSTS, ETC.

There are various sources from which money is derived in the shape of fines, costs, etc., amounting to a considerable sum. Justices of the peace, constables, sheriffs, notaries, etc., who collect this money, are required to pay to the clerks of the various counties and cities; and these sums are to be accounted for by the clerks to the first auditor. The amount for the year 1892, of fines and costs, reported to the first auditor was $26,082.56; and for the year 1890 it was $30,991.66. These figures show the importance of this matter. There is no sufficient check upon the various officers named to compel a faithful compliance with

the law, and it is believed that considerable sums are lost to the treasury from being overlooked. To prevent this the statute (vide Code of Virginia, section 594) requires the commissioners of the revenue to examine the books in the clerk's office with reference to this, and to make a report of their investigations to the first auditor by the 15th day of October of each year. The commissioners of the revenue are not suitable persons for this work; it should be delegated to a board composed of the superintendent of public schools in each county and city, the county judge, and the attorney for the commonwealth. The public schools have considerable interest in this, inasmuch as the money derived from this source goes to them. Such a board will know how to make this investigation and are better qualified for the work required than the commissioners of the revenue. I advise, therefore, that section 594 be so amended that justices of the peace, constables, sheriffs, and notaries public shall be required under a suitable penalty to report all claims, fees, costs, etc., collected by them and due to the Commonwealth, to the clerks and to this board in writing, and after a thorough investigation they report to the first auditor the result of such examinations by the first day of October of each year.

THE WORLD'S FAIR.

On the 18th of September I visited the World's Fair, with a portion of my staff. I was delighted with the great exposition. The appropriation made by Virginia seems to have been most judiciously expended, and will, I am sure, be beneficial in its results to the State. The conception of having the home at Mount Vernon reproduced on the fair-grounds as the Virginia building was a fortunate one. The reproduction is excellent, and while it is inferior to many of the magnificent buildings surrounding it, it seems to have been visited by a greater number of persons than any other of the State buildings. It was presided over by Mrs.. Beale, our lady manager, with such grace and dignity, and visitors received such a cordial welcome, that it was indeed a typical Virginia home.

OUR EXHIBITS.

Our exhibits were not so unimportant as some have represented them. We did not display our corn, wheat, oats, and grassthat we left to the west-but I never saw more beautiful samples of tobacco of every grade, and no State has, I believe, such a variety of minerals as we had on exhibition. Our forestry exhibit was also excellent. We had no trees to compare in size with those from the Yosemite Valley, or with the giant trees from

the State of Washington, but in their value for good timber they are among the very best. Our book and school exhibits were most creditable.

We have received a full proportion of the premiums awarded. This will prove of immense value to the State as an advertisement of her products. We have, therefore, cause to be proud of our exhibits. The want of money prevented a more extensive display, yet what we had was of the very best quality.

I should not fail to mention that two beautiful pieces of statuary by our Virginia sculptor, Mr. Valentine-"The Blind Girl" and his group "Andromache"-and the "Coquette," by Mr. Barbee, were on exhibition in one of the rooms of the Virginia building. They attracted the attention and commanded the admiration of vast numbers of people.

THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

This board has been laboring with commendable zeal during the present year. Among other things of importance to the State they have prepared and had printed a most excellent handbook, a publication greatly needed. It contains much useful information to our people, and it is invaluable as an advertisement. I take pleasure in calling the attention of the legislature to the valuable suggestions in the excellent report of this board, and hope they will give them due consideration.

OFFICIAL BONDS.

There is a large amount of money due to the State and uncollected because of the default of various officials. On the 15th day of February, 1888, the auditor of public accounts, in response to a resolution of inquiry made by the Senate, reported that there were 217 treasurers who owed a balance to the State in their official capacity, and that the amount due was in the ag gregate $455,608.12. Again, on the 22d of February, 1892, the auditor, in response to a similar inquiry, reported that there were 282 treasurers who owed a balance to the State, amounting in the aggregate to $529,273.41. These amounts are chiefly composed of a number of small amounts, but the aggregate is large, and I respectfully refer you to the two reports mentioned above, which will be found in the annual reports for the years named. The general assembly should protect, as far as possible, the public treasury, and the people also, against these unfortunate disasters which are frequently occurring. The railroads and other large corporations are generally watchful of these matters, and much may be learned from their experience which will be useful to the State; most of them have abandoned the practice.

of requiring from their officials personal security, and receive instead the security of a guaranty company. I am informed that the change has been most satisfactory, as in case of disaster the money is promptly paid by the guaranty companies. If the State would adopt the suggestion it would save much of the public revenue and be a relief from the embarrassment of suing its citizens for failure in their official duties. It generally results in much prejudice to the administration which attempts the collection of public money by law, and experience establishes the fact that a poor compensation is the reward.

Here is the way the present law works: A popular man is elected to one of these important positions; he is compelled to call upon a large number of his friends, who have small means, to join in the necessary bond; they promptly assist him; bonds are given and the homestead waived; disaster comes, and the State must lose what is due or the citizens are hopelessly wrecked in their estates and their families brought to poverty to pay what has been caused by their friend's official neglect. Then the legislature is beset with bills of relief of principals and sureties, and property is covered with conveyances to shield it or to give preferences to creditors, thus beclouding the titles of many estates and filling the courts with litigation, and in every case the State is the sufferer.

I think it is the part of wisdom to change this law, so as to require official bonds to be secured by some solvent guaranty company. Such practice is in operation in the departments of the national government. If we enact similar laws we can rest easy; the guaranty company will exercise supervision over officials, and require moneys in their hands to be promptly paid when collected, and a strict compliance with the letter of the law. If the officials do not perform their duties, the company is made responsible, and the worry of vexatious suits avoided; families will not be brought to penury to satisfy claims against the defaulting official, and the treasury will not be depleted by losses, thereby requiring additional taxes to be levied to meet these delinquencies, and all of the evil results above depicted will be avoided.

I advise that the law be so changed as to dispense with personal security, and that the bonds of treasurers and clerks be required to be secured by one of the guaranty companies of Virginia, if arrangements can be made upon reasonable terms. In order to reduce the expense of obtaining the security, it might be well to lessen the penalty to the amount actually due, and to require officials to settle their accounts promptly.

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THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE.

In consequence of the serious sickness of the late adjutantgeneral, James McDonald, I detailed General Charles J. Anderson, commanding first brigade Virginia volunteers, to perform the duties of adjutant-general of the State of Virginia, on the 3d of October, 1893, since which time he has been acting as adjutant-general, in which position he has rendered valuable and necessary services to the State.

STATE VOLUNTEER MILITIA.

The excellent reports of the acting adjutant-general and the assistant inspector-general give an interesting review of the volunteer forces of Virginia for the present year. We have one brigade 3,285 strong. It is made of various branches of the service; its officers are competent and efficient; the men are fairly well armed and uniformed. They are not only an ornament to the State, but are necessary for our peace and protection; their presence insures good order and the enforcement of the law; they can be relied on to maintain the dignity of the State, and to uphold the civil authority. They deserve the confidence of the general assembly, who should do all in their power to add to their comfort and pleasure, for we do not know when we may be forced to call upon them to maintain the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth.

THE DIRECT TAX.

There was collected from the United States government January 9th, 1892, the sum of $442,702.77 direct tax, which was reported to the legislature at its last session. The act for the distribution of this money has been promptly executed, according to its requirements. The abstracts of the tax lists were taken from the United States treasury department at Washington, D. C., and the copies disposed of as the act requires. The treasurer or commissioner of the several counties entitled to receive the tax were duly appointed, and bonds were taken, and the money to which each county was entitled was paid over to such treasurer or commissioner for distribution. The law requires reports of the distribution to be made semi-annually to the governor by the several treasurers or direct tax commissioners, which have been rendered by all for the six months ending January 1 and July 1, 1893, and verified according to law. On the 10th of April, 1892, after the adjournment of the legislature, we collected $5,441.75. This amount is now in the State treasury, and the law should be amended so as to have the sum distributed to those entitled.