MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives;
The hope expressed at the close of the address delivered to you at the commencement of the late special session, that your deliberations during that session might be characterized by harmony and be fruitful of good legislation, I am happy to say, was realized. Since my connection with public affairs, I have never witnessed a session of the General Assembly in which a more intelligent appreciation of duty was manifested; and in point of industry the late session, in my judgment, excelled any of its predecessors. This will not be understood as an idle compliment on the one hand, or as an unqualified indorsement of every act that was passed at the late session on the other. In welcoming you for the last time to this seat of legislation, I sincerely congratulate you in view of what you have already accomplished, and trust that during your present session you will be guided by that wisdom which cometh from above, and which is profitable to direct.
