1, 1874, will be $1,207,027. There is, moreover, a balance due and unpaid in money on interest, payable since 1871, of $880,059, including interest to colleges, to literary fund, etc.; the whole amount, therefore, necessary to meet the interest obligations of the State during 1874 will be $2,242,083. In 1873, $931,203 was actually paid in money as interest upon the public debt, and $301,104 of coupons were taken in part taxes. The public debt of Virginia presents a serious question to its inhabitants. In the early part of the year Governor Walker publicly took the ground that the United States should assume not only the public debt of this Commonwealth, but also of all the other States in the Union. The various taxes assessed for 1873 in the counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth, were as follows: Tax on white males..... $154,457 00 217 propellers... 23 schooners. 2 brigs... Tax on property.... $392,423 78 Tax on income....... 33,140 33 624 vessels of all kinds. 533,091 13,923 Tax on real estate... 425,564 11 1,272,424 45 321.036 57 EXPORTS. Total tax on personal property.... Tax on licenses.. Total tax.. $2,268,550 13 RICHMOND. In many respects 1873 was an eventful year for the capital of Virginia. The year witnessed the completion of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad to the Ohio River; the finishing of the James River Free Bridge, which makes Richmond and Manchester practically one city; the opening of direct rail communication with Atlanta, Ga., by way of the Richmond & Atlanta Air-Line, the completion of the Church Hill Tunnel, great improvements made to the river and harbor, and to the streets of the city, and all the highways of trade and travel centring here. A very considerable number of private residences and business buildings were erected, and the workshops and manufactories of the city were in most prosperous and profitable condition until the great monetary panic unsettled the affairs of the whole country, and compelled them to curtail their operations. The value of merchandise imported directly during the year, was $118,872, besides which commodities valued at $28,389 were received in bond from other districts. The following statement indicates in detail the commerce of the city for the year ending December 31, 1873, as compared with the preceding year: VESSELS ENTERED FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. VROOM, PETER D., LL. D., a political leader, Governor, and Congressman, of New Jersey, and minister to Prussia under President Pierce, born in Hillsborough, Somerset County, N. J., in 1791; died in Trenton, N. J., November 18, 1873. He graduated from Columbia College, N. Y., in 1808, at the early age of seventeen, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1813. Mr. Vroom was a warm supporter of President Jackson, and in 1829, his party having carried the State, he was elected Governor of New Jersey by the Legislature in joint ballot, which was then the mode there of choosing that officer. He was reëlected in 1830 and 1831, also in 1834 and 1835. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1844, and represented a New Jersey district in Congress from 1839 to 1841. In 1852 Mr. Vroom was one of the two electors at large on the Pierce presidential ticket, and in 1853 was appointed by President Pierce minister to Prussia, where he held that position until 1857, when he resigned. He was a delegate to the Peace Congress of 1861, and afterward took little or no part in politics. WALDENSIANS (THE). An account of the present position and statistics of the Waldensian Church has been published at Florence, Italy, in the Annuaire de l'église Evangelique Vaudoise. Sixteen of the ancient churches remain-five in the valley of San Martino, four in the valley of Perosa, six in the valley of Lucerne, and one at Turin. There is also a Waldensian colony at Rosario, in South America. There are, in connection with the Church, the two hospitals of La Tour and Pomaret, the orphanage, a large number of primary schools, a superior school for young men, a normal school, a grammar-school at Pomaret, a college, and a theological school at Florence. The number of theological students in the last year had been nineteen. The journals of this Church are, the Revista Cristiana, which is conducted by the professors of the theological school, the Eco de la Verita, the Eco des Valles, and the Amico dei Fanciulli. Thousands of Bibles, tracts, and other religious works, have been issued from the Claudian Press, at Florence, and distributed throughout Italy. W three professors of theology at Florence, and four college professors at La Tour and Pomaret, making in all fifty ordained ministers. The number of members in the valley churches varied from 264 to 1,394 for each church; the number of communicants varied from 150 to 800 for each celebration. Each church had one, two, three, or five Sunday-schools. There were, in all the parishes, day-schools for ten months in the year, and the various schools had been attended in winter by one-fifth of the entire population. There were also two Écoles de Methode, one at La Tour and the other at Pomaret, which gave the ward teachers opportunities for coming together every year to perfect their theoretical and practical knowledge. At the college in the valleys, there were professors for the Italian, Latin, Greek, and French languages and literature, for philosophy, mathematics, and natural sciences. Eighty-eight students had attended in the last year. Connected with the church at Turin were a hospital, which had, in the course of the year, cared for 87 sick people, The Waldensian work has heretofore been and a diaconate, which had distributed 1,184 divided into two branches, that of the old francs. The annual collection for frais d'été churches, and that of the new missions, which had given 7,828 francs, and that for schools, have been opened in Italy in later years. A 2,250 francs. This church had carried on, inrevision of the constitution of the Church was dependently of its consistory, other works of made in 1855, when an article was introduced benevolence, in which were expended, in 1871 to the effect that "the Waldensian Church, in and 1872, about 17,000 francs. At least threesending her evangelists forth into Italy, has no fourths of this sum was collected from among other object than simply to preach Christ and the members of the Church. The ordinary win souls to Him, and that she leaves the con- contributions of this Church for church purgregations thus formed to choose their own poses during the past year had been 20,000 form of government." At a conference held francs. There had been progress in the exin Florence for five days, beginning April tensive missions. The day-schools connected 15th, at which sixty-six representatives of Ital- with the missions were 58 in number, and had ian churches were present, the confession of been attended by 1,700 children, and there faith and form of government of the Walden- were 38 Sunday-schools, with 1,142 scholars. sian Church were unanimously adopted, and The number of churches was 38; of communiit was voted that "the churches represented cants, 1,864; of hearers, 3,158. These misin this conference desire to be considered as sions had subscribed 26,000 francs for various one with the Evangelical Waldensian Church." purposes. The missions were established at It was also decided that the churches should 36 centres, with 6 new posts, and were served be grouped into presbyteries. Three presby- by 21 ministers, 9 Scripture-readers, 6 other teries will probably be formed; one for the workers, and 51 school-masters and schoolnorth, another for the centre, and a third for mistresses. At the suggestion of the Waldenthe south of Italy. The Waldensian Synod, sians, an inter-missionary committee was in which met on the 2d of September, 1873, looked process of formation, to which it was intendwith great favor upon the wish expressed by ed to refer the settlement of disputed or irrithe Florence Assembly, and "opened the way tating matters, arising between any two of the widely for the coming union of the ancient different Protestant bodies. Two delegates and modern churches into one body." At the appointed by the Waldensians, two by the time of the meeting of the synod, there were Wesleyans, two by the Chiese Libere, and one in the Eglise Vaudoise seven superannuated by the Methodist Episcopal mission, suitably ministers, of whom one lived at the colony of empowered, had met at Florence to arrange Rosario, in South America; fifteen ministers for such a committee, and prepare the rules in active work, one of whom was laboring at by which its operations should be governed. Rosario; twenty-one missionaries, of whom five were in the islands of Elba and Sicily; According to the report of the Committee of Evangelization, the income of the Church WEST VIRGINIA. The Legislature of this State met at Charleston on November 19, 1872, the chief object of the session being so to modify the laws that they may conform to the new constitution. After a session of four months, the unfinished business was so large that a joint committee of conference was appointed by both Houses with instructions to report whether it was necessary to take a recess before the first adjournment, and what legislation should in that case be first considered and perfected. The committee reported at the end of March that, in their judgment, a speedy recess was indispensable, "unless the two Houses were to continue in session until about the first day of June;" "believing that, after the first weeks in April, it would be impossible to keep a quorum in each House, as so many of the members were farmers, or engaged in pursuits requiring attention at that season of the year," etc. The report was laid on the table in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, in accordance with it, a resolution was introduced providing "that the Legislature should adjourn on the 7th of April until the 20th of October ensuing, and no per diem should accrue during the recess, nor should mileage be allowed for attendance at the adjourned session." It met with some opposition from some members who moved to strike off the prohibition of mileage, and to turn the recess proposed into an adjournment sine die. These motions were rejected, and the resolution, as originally of fered, was passed. On its being sent up to the Senate, it was there adopted. The Legislature accordingly reassembled in October, 1873, when they continued in session for two months, and adjourned sine die on the 22d of December. Most of the laws enacted during these sessions relate to subjects of a public and general character. Acts of special legislation were comparatively few. A very large proportion of the acts passed relate to the Judicial Department of the government, from the Supreme Court down to the lowest court, defining their jurisdiction and powers respectively. Before taking its recess in April, 1873, the Legislature passed a general appropriation bill, fixing the amounts to be paid for the current expenditures of the three State departments during the two fiscal years ending September 30, 1873, and 1874, in detail; as also for the current expenses of the State University, charitable institutions, and the penitentiary; and for repairs or construction of their respective buildings. During the adjourned session held near the end of 1873, a supplementary appropriation bill was introduced, providing, among other things, for the payment of normal - school teachers in 1874. After a warm contest, the bill was defeated, it is said, on account of that proviso. Numerous members of the legislative body, especially in the House of Representatives, were decidedly opposed to appropriations for the said schools, and required the items relating to them to be struck off from the bill, contending that the money appropriated for the instruction and training of studonts, with a view to qualify them as teachers in the public schools of West Virginia, instead of being used for that purpose, had been applied to the maintaining of high-schools in different localities at the expense of the State. The disagreement existing between the Governor and the Legislature in reference to the appointing power, which the Governor seems to consider as vested in him by the constitution with regard to officers of almost all sorts in the State, was intensified in 1873, and threatened to become the cause of public disturbances of a very serious character. In obedience to the provision of an act passed by the Legislature on April 1, 1873, the Board of Public Works appointed as the Superintendent of the State Penitentiary William L. Bridges, thus superseding Thomas P. Shallcross, the incumbent of that office formerly appointed by the Governor. Having been duly qualified, the new Superintendent, in company with the Board of Directors, presented himself at the penitentiary on the 1st of May, the day fixed by law, and formally demanded possession of the place. He and the directors were met at the gate by Mr. Shallcross, who refused to admit them; and, on being asked the reason of his refusal, he produced a written document signed by the Governor, "directing him to act as Superintendent until further orders." He added that "he had received verbal orders to exclude all. persons." Upon the Board of Directors' offering to make their entrance notwithstanding his refusal, Mr. Shallcross warned them by declaring that, if they attempted to enter forcibly, he was prepared and resolved to use force on his part to prevent it, and keep them out. At this they retired. A suit was soon after instituted before the Supreme Court of the State on complaint of Mr. Bridges against Mr. Shallcross, to compel the latter to surrender the penitentiary to the complainant, etc. The design of this action was not so much to decide the contest between the said parties in litigation as to determine whether the acts of the Legislature, out of which that contest arose, were constitutional and valid, or unconstitutional and void. The matter came before the court in the July term of 1873, when it was argued at length during many days, and decided by the court. The following were the real questions at issue, and the judgments rendered on them respectively, as stated by Chief-Justice A. F. Hay mond: The only questions presented for the consideration and determination of the court by the demurrer of the complainant to the return of the defendant made to the mandamus nisi awarded in this cause, are as follows, viz.: 1. Is the act passed by the Legislature on the 14th day of January, 1873, entitled "An act amending and reenacting section 1 of chapter 56 of the code of West Virginia concerning the Board of Public Works, which provides that the Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Free Schools, and Attorney-General, shall be and continue a corporation under the style of the "Board of Public Works," repugnant to the constitution of this State, and there fore null and void? 2. Is the act of the Legislature passed on the 1st day of April, 1873, entitled "An act to amend and reenact sections 2, 6, 7, 14, and 19, of chapter 163 of the code of West Virginia," providing among other things that there shall be a Board of Directors of the Penitentiary, consisting of five persons appointed by the Board of Public Works on the 4th day of March, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and also providing among other things that the said Board of Public Works shall on the 15th day of April, in the year 1873, and every two years thereafter, appoint a Superintendent of the Penitentiary at Moundsville, whose term of service shall begin on the first day of May next after his appointment, and in so far as its provisions are involved in this case, repugnant to the constitution of this State, and therefor null and void? Under the authorities, principles, facts, and views, above stated, we are of opinion that the act of the Legislature of this State passed on the 14th day of January, 1873, entitled "An act amending and reenacting section 1 of chapter 56 of the code of West Virginia concerning the Board of Public Works," and enacting that said section be amended, and reenacted so as to read as follows: "1. The Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Free Schools, and Attorney-General, shall be and continue a corporation under the style of the Board of Public Works,' is not repugnant to the constitution of this State, but is valid and binding. And we are also further of the opinion that so much of the act passed by the Legislature of this State on the first day of April, 1873, entitled "An act to amend and reenact sections 2, 6, 7, 14, and 19, of chapter 163, of the code of West Virginia, as is directly involved in, and applies to this case, and especially the parts thereof by which it is enacted that the Board of Public Works shall on the 15th day of April, in the year 1873, and every two years thereafter, appoint a Superintendent of the penitentiary at Moundsville, whose term of service shall begin on the first day of May next after his appointment, and who should have the power and perform the duties of said office prescribed by law, is not repugnant to the constitution of this State, but is, and are, valid and binding. Both of which said acts of the Legislature are mentioned and referred to by the defendant in his return to the mandamus nisi issued and returned in this cause. It is therefore considered by us that the return of the defendant Shallcross made to the said writ of mandamus nisi issued and returned in this cause, is insufficient in law; and that upon the demurrer filed by the complaint Bridges to the said return, the law is in favor of the complainant, and that the said demurrer must be sustained, and that a peremptory mandamus do issue in this case, and that the comShallcross his costs about the prosecution of this plainant Bridges do recover against the defendant proceeding in this court expended. cumstances which gave occasion to it, are The determination of this case, and the cirreferred to by the Governor in his message to the Legislature, dated October 20, 1873, as follows: "For reasons stated in my message to you, in returning without my approval the bill in relation to the Hospital for the Insane, I was in the firm conviction that the power to appoint this officer (the Superintendent of the Penitentiary), and others of a similar character, was vested by the constitution in the Governor; and, therefore, that the appointment by the Board of Public Works was illegal and void. I, therefore, instructed Mr. Shallcross, who was then the Superintendent of the Penitentiary, to retain his office until he received further orders from me. Thereupon legal proceeding were instituted, and judgment was rendered ousting Mr. Shallcross from office, and inducting Mr. Bridges. Although my convictions on the important question involved remained unchanged, with the view of avoiding a conflict of authority, which in some of our sister States has produced discord, strife, and confusion, I instructed Mr. Shallcross to obey the judgment of the court, without stopping to inquire too nicely as to the rights of the Executive Department as an independent coördinate branch of the government." The condition of the State Treasury for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1823, appears from the following statement: Balance in the Treasury, October 1, 1872..... $283,452 02 Received from all sources during the year... 679,689 65 $963,141 67 Total subject to draft.. Amount expended during the year for all purposes... Leaving a total balance in the Treasury, October 1, 1873........ 719,545 15 $243,596 52 average number of students in attendance during the year was 150. The normal schools also are in successful operation. In the school at Shepherdstown, which was organized during 1873, the highest number of pupils in attendance for the first portion of the year was 42, the average 38; for the latter part of the year, the highest number in attendance was 100, and the average 66; with a prospect of increase. At Marshall College, the whole number of pupils in attendance was 161; the average number 75. A law was enacted at this session, "to provide for free education in Bethany College." It makes a standing appropriation of three thousand dollars per annum, to be paid in half-yearly installments to the said college, on condition that it shall educate one student from each of the fifty-four counties in the State, free of all charges, and with all the privileges accorded to regular students. Each county in the State shall be entitled to send one student; and when any of them fail to do so, the regents of the college are empowered to make appointments to fill such vacancies. In the Hospital for the Insane the average number of patients during the year is set down at 280; the cost of maintenance and medical attendance for each patient being $137. The total expenditures made on account of the hospital during the year amounted to $50,080.05; of which $38,377.97, were for current expenses; $38,812.88, for construction of buildings. The inmates at the Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and the Blind, numbered 60 in the average during the year; the cost of maintenance and instruction for each pupil having amounted to about $260. The aggregate expenditures of the institution during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1873, were $20, 680.20. The material interests of West Virginia appear to be in a flourishing condition. The State steadily advanced during the year in wealth the progress made in the different branches of business, though not rapid, seems to be healthy; the towns increased in population and trade; new farms were opened up, and old ones better cultivated; new manufacturing establishments were started, and old ones extended their operations; and all made satisfactory returns for the investments of capital; the forest and mine contributed their full share to the general wealth, and the laborer received better compensation for his services than in the times past. WISCONSIN. The Legislature of 1873 was in session from January 8th to March 20th, 72 days. During this time 136 general, and 145 private and local laws were passed. Among the most important acts passed were those providing for a geological survey of the State, to be begun in Ashland County, and completed within four years, by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed by the Governor, $13,000 being appropriated annually; giving the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company the land grant, conditioned on building roads from Prescott to Superior and Bayfield, from Red Wing to Chippewa Falls, from Monroe to Shullsburg; to change the management of the State-prison from a commissioner elected by the people once in two years, to a warden appointed by the Governor with consent of the Senate, and a board of directors; to substitute the Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Attorney-General for the State, as a State Board of Assessors; applying the temperance law of last winter to all cities and incorporated villages, regardless of any special provisions of their charter; increasing the salaries of Supreme Court judges to $5,000, and of circuit judges to $3,000; and providing for a State tax for 1873 of $321,110. Joint resolutions were passed ratifying the constitutional amendment restricting municipal debts to five per cent. of the valuation; for the appointment of an agent to prosecute the claims of the State against the General Government for five per cent. on United States lands; in favor of cheaper postage and no franking; and urging the improvement of St. Croix Lake and River. The subject which attracted the largest share of the attention of the Legislature, and caused the most public discussion throughout the State, had reference to the St. Croix land grant. These lands were granted to Wisconsin by Congress in 1856 and in 1864, to aid in the construction of a railroad from Lake St. Croix to the head of Lake Superior. The State having assumed this trust, the question of disposing of the grant came up before the Legislature. The grant was eagerly sought by two parties, the North Wisconsin Railroad Company and the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, which led to a spirited and protracted contest in the Legislature. This resulted in the passage of a bill conferring the grant upon the Milwaukie & St. Paul Railroad Company. After the exciting contest for the possession of this aid, no little surprise was created by the announcement of the rejection of the grant by the Milwaukie & St. Paul Railroad Company. In the official communication, dated May 14, 1873, sent by the president of this corporation to the Governor, the reasons assigned for not accepting this grant were, that the act of Congress passed in 1856, granting lands for the construction of a railroad from the St. Croix River or Lake to Lake Superior, provided that "if said roads are not completed within ten years, no further sales shall be made, and the land unsold shall revert to the United States." By the act of 1863 the time fixed for the completion of the roads was extended five years. As these were the only acts of Congress on the subject, it was announced by the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad |