Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-05
The Governors Message.

The Governors Message.
Governor OFerrall's message sent 10
the two houses OF the General Assembly
Yesterday covers the period of two event
,h years. and is necessarily a long
p,rcr But IL is interesting throughout
I Is roing to be widely read. Not every one
win aeree with all that the Governor mas
IN saw. but most people Will acknowledge
that he deals with all the questions that
he undertakes to discuss frankly ana VI
norousy. The Dispatch has an OPINION
diffcrcnt from his in the matter of hold
ing a constitutional conyention, but we
must say that we have never seen a
stronger argument against convention
than that which ne presents. lie does
moi think that q convention could do any
more than Legislature in the way of
reducing state expenses. and believes that
An of the changes in the Constitution
that are needed may be made by the
LEGISLATURE proposing and the people rati-
fving amendments. our own opinion Is
that the people long to make
complete revision Of the Underwood Con-
stitution. However, we are not inclined
f., presa a call for convention until we
see ripe opportunity. At present it
seems TO us that we Democrats are not
sufficiently agreed among ourselves to
make il safe TO submit the question to
the voters But this is a matter the
democrats of the Legislature should con-
fer about. When convention Is held
", wish IL to be not only under the
control Of Democrats. but under the con-
troll of the very best elements Of our
party.
The Governor is an outspoken friend
OF the Walton law. He declares that
i'm his opinion. the cause of fair and free
elections. land a free. untrammelled and
unpurchased expression of the will of
the people" has been advanced by that
law. with more than one constable
there is certain destruction % the secrecy
OF the ballot. or a disclosure. per
haps tcnfold greater than now. and
renewal Of the evils of intimidation
money corruption. and undue class or race
influences" lie recommends such amend
ments to the law as may be necessary
ia relieve it of uncertainties i'm its con-
struction He also recommends that il
be so amended as TO require the ballots
i'm each city and county TO be Of uni
form size and style. printed in plain and
uniform type so that they may be east
" read by those acquainted with the
English language.
Lynch law Is stcrnly reprobated. The
Governor recommends that laws be passed
compelling each county where "A person
is lynched to pay TO the State public
school fund a heavy penalty for each
lynching that occurs within its limits:
Also. that the expense Of the military, If
called out. be taxed upon said county or
city. Also. that any officer in charge of
a prisoner who fails TO do all that he can
10 protect his prisoner be suspended
untn "A motion TO remove him can be
heard and determined by jury. Also,
that the right OF action for damages be
allowed TO the prisoners widow or heirs
against the culpable officers official bond.
lie also recommends that the penalty for
rape or attempted rape shall in every
case be death, and that an indictment
for either offence shall have precedence
over any other case on the docket of the
court In which the indictment is pending.
There has been no lynching in this
state since Governor O'Ferran went into
office.
The reassessment of lands during 1895.
shows that there has been an increase In
our real estate values Of $l,6i6,792 over
1890
Our State finances are in good condi-
ton. and there is no reason 10 fear that
loss viii be sustained by the defalcation
OF any who have been entrusted with
the collection Of the States money.
Nothing has been accomplished by the
commission appointed TO negotiate with
West Virginia for the payment OF her
part Of the debt OF the old State
Our criminal expenses care advancing
out OF all proportion to the growth Of
our population" and education does not
seem 10 have lessened crime amongst
the negroes. The negroes furnish the
bulk of the criminal population OF Vir-
glnia but statistics show that the per
centage Of the crimes committed by this
race IS less IN Virginia than IL IS I'm
A>Die'N' " anu N'0t'ih states. ne man
ayement Of the pententiary Is commend
ed. lie joins the superintendent and
Board OF Directors in urging that the
prison be- enlarged lie would be glad
10 see a colored reformatory schoo! es-
tablished. ..,......
The State hospitals Uor the insane) are
being well conducted .. 10, ,..., 4.
our public schools are doing well. The
sum Of N.2i27 was spent upon them
during the last year OF this amount
Ssi,sJ came from State funds. AS to