Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-04
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

! O'Ferrall's message which was read in
the Virginia Legislature to-day:
1t is likely that the question of a
convention to frame new constitu-
ton will be brought before you. With
due Difference to the sentiment which
prevails, to some extent at least. in lis
favor, it is my opinion that conven-
ton would be impolitic and involve
an unnecessary expenditure of money.
Let US consider the reasons in their
order: A return to the old system Of
justices' courts would be no economy,
for the aggregate pay of the justices
who constituted the county courts
prior to the present constitution was
fully as much, 1 think, as the aggregate
salaries of the county judges which are
graded according to the population Of
the respective counties. In my opin-
ion nearly every judicial circuit in the
State is as large as proper regard for
the administration of justice will admit.
The salaries of superintendent OF
schools, like the salaries of county
court judges, are graded according to
the population of their respective coun-
ties and cities. In the cities and larger
counties the time of the superintendent
is wholly occupied, if they do their
duty; in the small counties they are not
continuously engaged, but, if additional
labor is imposed, additional compensa
ton should follow. The people will
not tolerate any change which
may impair the system. State
State, county and city taxes are COL
lected upon commissions. 1.-THE Offices
of county and city treasurers are
abolished, and the duty of collecting
the revenues imposed upon the
sherifs, there will simply be a change
Of persons without any saving, uD-
less the commissions are reduced.
That the criminal expenses of th.
State are too heavy must be admitted;
that the pruning. knife should be APP
piled whenever it can be done with due
regard cannot be questioned. But this.
as well as the proposed changes before
mentioned, can be accomplished either
by legislative enactment or by the PEG
pie By amendment to the Constitution
either safer and much less expensive
mode than q constitutional convention.
Little need be said in reference to The
public debt. 1t has been settled upon
basis honorable to the State ard
satisfactory to the creditors, and eau
conceive of no condition of affairs
that can arise to renew any contention
| over tlis question.
The commission appointed to effect
On adjustment of the proportion of the
public debt of the original State of Vir
ginia TO be borne by West Virginia &C
complished nothing, and, so far as can
| see, Virginia is no nearer settlement
and adjustment with West Virginia
than she was twenty years or more ago
/ would recommend memorializing
| Congress for an adjustment Of the mat
ters between the United States and Vir.
GINA and take such other action as may
in your judgement, promote settle
menl Of accounts between them.
1t becomes my painful duty to report
to you the burning of the rotunda and
am x of the University of Virginia.
have the utmost confidence in your
wisdom, as we'll as your devotion to the
object so warmly cherished throughout
the borders of our State, and l am con
fident you will take such steps, ifwithir
the scope of your authority, as will re-
suit speedily in the full restoration Of
our beloved University.
That will strike responsive chord
in your breasts, 1 doubt not, when
recommend that the utmost liberal
ity be shown to dependent sol
diers and dependent widows o.
soldiers who served in Virgins
commands in the Confederate army
Virginia is in duty bound to care fol
these gallant surviving veterans and
the widows Of the no less brave and
loyal men who gave their lives in hel
defense. I am confident l will appeal
not in vain for generous appropriations
for pensions and in maintenance of the
Confederate Home.
Gambling on horse racing has be-
come shame aud disgrace to Virginia.
1t has been carried on the year round
and has attracted the gambling fra
ternity, including the worst element
of it, from every section of the country,
and invited the youths of the State to
the tracksto be corrupted. The Gen
eral Assembly, at It's last session, fnd
ing that there was no statute prohibit
ing book-making, pool-selliug, &C., and
that this species of gambling was being
conducted constantly at Jackson City,
in Alexandria county, passed an act
making it unlawful for any person or
persons or association OF persons, cor
poratiop or corporations, to sell or
| make books, pools or mutuals upon
the result of any trial OF speed or
| power of endurance Of animals or
beasts, &C., anywhere within the State,
except upon the grounds owned and
controlled by agricultural associations,
county or city fairs, driving parks or
driving clubs heretofore chartered.
The special object OF this act was to
break up the gambling dens, where
pool.selling, &C., was done, at Jackson
City. But, while the act had the effect
Of closing the pcol shops, &C., at jack
son City, they were simply transferred
to two other places, short distances
here from. By virtue of charter
granted by the General Assembly, ct
he sessions of 1886. to the Grange
Camp Association of Northern Vir-
sinia, driving park was established q
few hundred yards from Jackson City,
and there daily during the fall of 1894
aud the winter of 1894 So, and, with
slight intermissions, 10 the present
time, in all seasons and weather, racing,
pool.selling, and book making, &c,
haua hnan carried ON To these