Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-12-06
GOVERNOR LEES POLICY.
HE RFAFFIMRS THE RIDDLE.
BERGER IDEA on THE
DEBT QUESTION.
Associated Press Dispatch.

NV - Wv. fHf - 'f''' - '
general assembly of Virginia con
vened here to-day. Both branches
reelected their old officers, John
l.. Hurt being made president pro-
tenn. OF the senate, and Il. II.
Cardwell, speaker Of the house.
Governor Lee sent his message
to the Legislature. II is chiefly de-
voted to the debt question, and
contains a mass of figures on that
ineXhaustible topic. It really IL a
re affirmation of the provisions OF
the Rlddlebergrr deDt bill. lie
commences by saying:
"PublIc education has made
great progress. The foundation OF
the States scmInarles OF learning
are broader aud deeper the
elemosynary institutions are &C
completing the ends for which
they we're erected, while the Wheels
of government are every where
running smoothly. The
first subject to which direct your
attention, as 1t Is the first in i'm
pOrtance, Is the present condition
Of the State deDt. THIS subject
should receive your careful con-
sideratlOn aud calm dellberatiOn.-
Its solution brings peace, prosper.
itJ, and plenty to Virginia; IFS
agitation misconceptiOn miScOn.
strucliou, aud costly litigation to
all concerned. II Is the one weight
on tho wheels Of state which re.
tards its successful revolutions.
In my message Of Deem
Der I, 1887, | submitted a detailed
estim ate OF the annual expenses Of
the State. Since then these eX.
penses have increas ed BY the
adoption OF the pension bill, in
creased appropriations to asylums,
made necessary by the lAmentable
increase Of lunacy; to the agrlcnl
tural bureau, aud to schools, as
well as the increased cost Of crlmi-
nal prosecutions, all OF which viii
be seen by reference to thu detailed
estimates accompanying this mes.
sage.
"lt the present appropriations
are continued, the amount avail
able to pay interest upon any set
Element of the debt will he 1869, 2GO.
In view of the financial condition
of the State as shown by care
fully prepared estimate Of receipts
and expenditures, it Is apparent
that our wisdom will be taxed to
provide foe the payment of the an
nual interest should the act OF
1882 be accepted 10y our creditor-.
Any careful examination Of the
finances of the State should make
it plain to the creditors and the
people that the State is not now
in a condition TO pay larger sum
IN interest than that demanded b.
the present law without increasing
taxes. If, however, the creditors
are willing 70 propose a settlement
which, while not be departing IN a
marked manner from the principal
aud interest as now recognized by
the State, either tor the reason
! that some Of the features OF the
present bill present insnrmount-
able objection, or because, in their
opinion, equity would demand the
different classes of the debt TO be
funded into the new bonds at differ.
ent rates than those laid down by
the act OF 1882, or for any other
reason, | feel well satisfied that
such propositions would receive
your respectful consideration"
He also calls attention 10 the
boundary line controversy between
Governor Jackson aud himself over
certain oyster grounds known as
Hog Island Flats. He says: 81
feel that this general assembly az
we'll as the corresponding body 0!
MARYLAND now soon TO assemble,
will Jointly arrive at solution OF
the question al Issue, which will
satisfactorily protect, 10 all con
cerned, the interest Of their respec-
tive States, and not leave a ripple
of rage upon single wave Of the
great river flowing between them.
Virginia. by legislation, has solemn
~ asserted her rights to this water.
1t Is my duty, therefore, as her cx-
ecutive to protect the property OF
those who have leased 1t under law.
| have the honor to submit all the
papers IN my possession bearing
upon the subject
In closing his message the COVER
nor says: "Besldes the themes en-
braced in this message there are
some other matters OF importance
to the State, and which my tour
years Of executive exp rience has
gwen me some knowledge Of /
hope to be able to present some re.
Elections upon them in brief mes
sage to your honorable bodies to
be submitted later