The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-05

Following is the iOll text q boNeiHoi
O'Ferralls message submitted TO the
Legislature yesterday.
COMMONWEALTH of Virginia,
Governors Office,
Richmond. Va, December !, $40.
To the General Assembly;
In obedience to the requirements OF the
Constitution of Virginia, you have as
sembled to enact such laws as may, III
your wisdom, be necessary 10 promote
the welfare and advance the prosperity
Of the people. whose sovereign VIII has
made you their representatives
congratulate you upon the recovery
in great measure. OF the Commonwealth
from the long financial depression under
which she has been suffering the re-
sumption Of work In many OF her IN
dustries so long closed, and the prospect
OF an early general revival OF business
and trade.
congratulate you upon The general
good health with which our borders have
been blessed, and our freedom from Sc
rious epidemics and contagious which
have afflicted other sections of our land.
You have before you ninety days for
work every available hour of which VIII
be required for the faithful and intelh-
gent discharge of your important duties.
NV own long experience il that IL is
the rule with legislative bodies TO delay,
and only to enter earnestly upon their
labors when compelled by the nearness
of adjournment. IL is in these last days
OF a session that ill-matured legislation
occurs | respectfully suggest, in the in
terest OF the Commonwealth and people,
that your honorable bodies depart from
the usual custom of procrastination and
enter promptly upon the consideration oil
matters which may demand your atten-
ton.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
1t is likely that the question of "a con-
vention to frame new Constitution VIII
be brought before you. with due deier-
ence TO the sentiment which prevails, 10
some extent at least. in its favor, II is
my opinion that convention would De
impolitic, and involve an unnecessary eN-
penditure of money.
So far as / am informed the reasons
advanced for convention are. that the
expenses of the State government could
thereby be lessened by returning TO the
old system OF county courts, rejoicing
the number Of circuit judges and superin-
tendents OF puLlic free schools. abolishlng
the Office OF county treasurer. and i'm
posing the duties now performed toy him
upon the sheriff. and changing existing
criminal laws in many particulars.
Let us consider them in their order:
First. A return TO the oil system OF
justices courts
In this here would bc no economy. for
the aggregate pay OF the justices who
constituted the county courts prior 10 the
present Constitution was fully as much,
/ think, a the aggregate salaries OF the
county judges. which are graded accord
ing To the population OF the respective
counties. Under the old system the coun-
~ courts had no jurisdiction in felony
cases except against tree negroes. where
the penalty was not death. and do not
suppose IL is seriously proposed TO confer
such jurisdiction now. for If II was not
considered wise when the justices were
men of superior intelligence. " could not
he at present. Under our enlarged suf-
frage and citizenship. IL is well-known
fact that in certain sections of the State
the Justices in many instances are in
ferior In character as well as intelligence.
Then, n felony cases are not TO be tried
in the county. but In the circuit courts.
speedy trials could not be had. and in
Justice would be done TO the innocent and
too tsrdy justice meted out to the guilty
Second. Reduction of the number Of
circuit judges.
In my opinion nearly every judicial
circuit in the State is as large as a proper
regard for the administration of justice
viii admit. Though the population or the
present territory OF Virginia has greatly
increased and business has grown inn
mensely. we have. about the same num-
Der OF circuit judges az In the same ter
ritory in 1850. and the uniform salaries
less now than then II the circuit courts
are to have original criminal jurisdiction
In all felony cases IL must be admitted
that the number OF circuit judges would
have to be increased. In fact, | think
II would be infinitely better now TO in
crease the number OF circuits, and the
number OF terms annually of the circuit
courts and confer upon the circuit courts
exclusive original jurisdiction In felony
cases. IL this were done. appeals would
be directly to the Court of Appeals. and
this would result In a more speedy deter
mipaticn OF such cases and large de-
crease OF criminal expenses.
Third. Reduction OF number OF super
tntendents OF schools.
The salaries OF these officers. like the
salaries OF CO unity court judges, are grad
% according to the population OF thei: re-
opscsive ccunties and cities In the cities
end larger counties the time 81 the SUI