Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-03
THURSDAY. :. DECEMBER 8. 1891
Governor M'Kinney's Message.

Governor M kinney Messhke'
The message sent to the General Assem-
bly, Yesterday BY the Governor Is the first
paper of this character from the hands OK
our present Executive.
When he entered upon the duties of his
ONCE on January /. 1890. bis immediate
predecessor, Governor FTrzHUoH LEE, had
but little while before communicated to
the two houses all the information that
seemed necessary. Governor McKnEEX
was therefore content to begin his admins
tration without formality. During that
session of the General Assembly he. how
ever, transmittedlto it several papers OF i'm
portance with some comments OF bis own,
but he sent in no elaborate message. Last
wear there was no legislative session, and
therefore no occasion for message and
40 the Governor now has q great deal to
say and IL is not to be wondered at that
his message is long.
Every recommendation that he makes is
fortified by the facts and the reasoning
which led him to the conclusions which
he announces. He seems anxious that
the members and the people generally shall
have before them all of the information
that is in his possession, 80 that they may
judee whether his conclusions are correct.
It will surprise many TO find that he
makes no reference either 20 the public
debt matter OF to the oyster question, but
we have no doubt that he has reserved
these great topics for presentation in spe-
cial messsges.
We have made so full an abstract OF the
goyernor's message that we shall add few
words to what we have said therein.
The Governor in welcoming the men,
bers Of the General Assembly to the CAPT.
cal ad gises them to 90 to work at once and
do in December what the Constitution re-
uuires them to do this year. Certainly this
is good advice. There is no valid reason
for wasting all the time before the let of
January, as Is the habit Of Congress and
AZ has often been done by previous STATE
Legislatures.
We are pleased that the Governor inter-
poses no constitutional objection TO the
proposition to appropriate sum of money
to enable Virginia to appear as she should
at the Worlds FAIR in Chicago. He argues
the question of the power of the
Legislature on the same lines on which
Il has heretofore been argued in this paper,
which indeed took only the ground that
every lawyer on the same side must take.
The Governor. however, cites precedent
which we believe we never mentioned.
The Governor recommends a law pro-
yidlng for separate coaches for the two
races. Such law is In force in some Of
the southern States. 1t Is a question,
however, that may have two sides to it.
II 80, our lawmakers will bring the true
state of the case to public attention.
County cemeteries would seem to be
almost q necessity of the present condi-
ton of things in Virginia. how many
hundreds of graves are there In Virginia
TO tell as that millions of bodies have been
buried beneath her soil? Where is your
ereat-grandfather's grave9 We ask the
average man this question. How many
can answer it practically by pointing out
the grave?
The founder of this paper wrote some,
not to say many, of the best articles which
have ever appeared In Virginia paper or
a Virginia public document on the best
manner of improving the county roads
and the DISPATCH has followed his foot
steps and continued the good work in its
own way.
The public schools receive rather brief
notice at the hands of the Governor, who
no doubt regards them as so well-grounded
in public estimation that they need no.
body's laudation. They are stronger than
any party.
1t Is gratifying to know that there is so
large balance in the Treasury as the Gov
ernor tells us there Is. Let no bondholder
fiatter himself that he will ever finger this
balance except 80 far as it may be disposed
of by the 0LooTT agreement.
The Governor thinks the General Assem-
bly, passes too many laws. So do we. The
courts ought to do most Of the less impor.
tant work of granting charters, &c. He
recommends that all of the Boards Of
Visitors of State institutions should be
appointed under one law. which should be
passed ct the current session Of the Legis-
lature.
The Virginia volunteers he would have
"well cared for" So would we. All. how
pleasant is the reflection whom riot ia
nagrant, or the penitentiary convicts are
disposed to take advantage Of fire OF
other accident, orwhen there are disorders
in the country districts, how pleasant, we
say. is the reflection that we have brave
volunteers all over the State.
The Governor speaks his mind freely
upon every subject he deems of enough
importance TO be treated in his message,
and most Of his recommendation will re-
eeive the approval of the people and Of the
General Assembly also, we trust.