Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-04
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

and the Senate and House of Delegates were
organized by the election OF the officers
nominated at the democratic caucus last
night. The message OF the Governor was
then received, read and ordered to be
printed. Following Is synopsis OF the
message:
After welcoming the representatives of the
people to the halls of legislation Gov. Lee
says: "It is claimed with confidence that
during the past four years the star repre-
sentiug Virginia's statehood has grown
brighter. Public education has made great
progress the foundation Of the States
seminaries of learning is broader and deep
or elemosynary institutions are accom-
plishing the ends for which they were
erected, while the wheels of government
everywhere ere running smoothly. Towns
have been erected on vacant fields, and
cities have replaced villages while the
depths of the mountain has given up its
richness to our railroads, whose tonnage
has constantly increased, and this mineral
wealth has found its way 10 our rapidly
growing terminal porte. And while il ls true
the course of the iron horse has been laid In
many new directions, the breath of the
fiery furnace bSs mingled with the atmos.
phere of fresh localities where fortunes hand
has not been extended so generously, and
vet there are millions of acres of unoccupled
lands upon which the weight Of taxation is
pressing, but which yield no revenue, and
which would cot bring in the open market
their assessed value. 1t will not do, there
fore, to make, 10 the immediate future, esti'
ma es upon increased values, for where there
| may be In one place healthy increase, in
another there will be decrease OF such
| values.
THE STATE DEBT.
The first subject to which the Governor
directs the attention of the Legislature Is
the State debt. which he thinks should re-
ceive their careful consideration and calm
elaboration. Its solution brings peace,
| plenty and prosperity to Virginia {; lis sgl-
tation, misconceptiop, misconstruction aud
costly litigation to ali concerned. IL Ia the
one weight on the wheel of State. which
breakers may dash in the future, but whose
| removal will leave calm, untrouoled sea,
Into whose depth the anchor of good fortune
can safely and serenely rest. If all OF the
outstanding obligations of the State were
| funded under the act approved February
l4th, 1882, with the 'Wickhsm amendment
attached, except the bonds held by ins'in-
tons of learning, the interest upon which lie
now paid by special legislation. at the rates
presented by said ect viz Consols at 90 !;
lO-4O's at go Peslers and the old
| unfunded debt. at 50 the principal
would be S2l ,s55 ,s12.74, the annual inter
est upon which would be 1856 074.39. TIE
consul coupons outstanding from July, 1885,
to January, $780, which are debarred from
being founded by the Wickbam amendment,
and which are not included In the foregoing
estimate, amount to $3,740. 0l9; 10 40 con-
pons for same period namely. July. 1855, 10
January, 1890, amount to 1868 ,621 so, max
ing a total full value of 81 603 $4,000. The
number of coupons received into the treas.
ury on Judgment for taxes during the fiscal
wear ending September 30ih, 1889. amount
to S214, $50 During the previous year the
amount was $25S 93S This Indebtedness OF
S21. S35 S12?4 can be reduced by the follow
ing items Here follow bonds beid by
the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund pun
chased under the provisions of the law and
which can be cancelled s., $50 643;stock held
by the State Ia the K F. & 2. K. X. which
can be made to purchase SS59, 9264 new .
per cent. bonds stock OF q. q y. Ky. held
Oy the Sthie, VIC toAeSN
States and several other items representing
ali together in new 8 per cent. bonds
So O56 l73. Deducting this amount from
sd S35, 1927 there will be left SIG 779 699.74,
which would carry an annual interest at
per cent of 1903 $50 20. These figures would
thei sfore represent the principal aud inter
est of the debt of 1882 if all clas5es OF debt
we're funded under that act, with its amend
meuts, into these 3 per cent. bonds, except
bonds held by institutions of learning,
should the State dispose of its assets"
The Governor In his discussion ofthe debt
question Gays, among other things III the
present appropriations are continued the
amount available to pay interest upon any
settlement of the debt will be S36O, 26OUo
He then declares that the STATE ID not now
in condition to pay larger sum In inter
eat than that demanded By the present law
without increasing the !axes Ii, however,
the creditors are willing TO propose settle
ment which, while not departing in mark.
ed manner from the principal and interest
az now Recognized by the Stakeholder for
the reason that some Of the features OF
the present bill present insurmountable OBJ
ections, or, because, in their opinion, equity
would demand the different classes of the
debt to be funded into new bonds, at differ
ept rates than those laid down by the act OF
1882. or, for eny other reason-l feel well
satisfied that such proposition would receive
your respectful consideration"
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
After a review of the history of public
ed ucation the Governor says: 1.-THE official
records of the last four years furnish graft
fyiug exhibit of its continued progress aud
present condition. The total amount ex
pended in support of the public schools for
the year closing july 31st, 1889, was, In
round plumbers, 81, $40 600. an excess OF
$196. GOO above that for the year closing July
3lst, 1885" The increase of pupils in aver
age daily attendance since the Governor
went into Office ia shown to be 20 .OOO He sug-
eests still larger development OF the pub.
lie school system. and recommends special
a.:aia, 20 maintain tho cash allowance to