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

sent 90 both branches Of the General
Assembly yesterday. and by them or
dsrel TO be printed, is paper of great
Importance to the people of Virginia 1t
is 4s interesting as it is long. His Ex-
celency discusses many subjects in
which great public interest is felt with
Characteristic frankness and force. The
Dispatch prints the message in full. and
believes that lt viii be very generally
feai. 10 Is as follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
GOV hkNORS OFFICE
RICHMOND, VA, December L. 1895.
T. the General Assembly:
ln obedience to the requirements Of the
Constitution Of Virginia, you have assem-
b.ei 90 enact such laws as may in your
wisdom be necessary to promote the
welfare and advance the prosperity of
the people whose sovereign will has made
sou 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 resump-
ton of work in many OF her in
dlsirles so long closed. and the pros
laci Of am early general revival Of busi-
ness and trade. l congratulate YOU upon
TIE general good health with which our
borders have been blessed. and our free
dom from serious epidemics and con-
taeons which have afflicted other sections
D. our land
You have before you ninety days for
vork every available nour Of which will
81. required for the faithful and inteln-
gent discharge of your important duties
Ay own long experience is that it is the
rule With legislative bodies to delay
and only 10 enter earnestly upon their
labors when compelled 10y the neaTness
oi adjournment 1t is IN these last days
Of session that ill-mgtured legislation
occurs. ] respectfully suggest. IN the in
terest of The Commonwealth and people,
that your honorable bodies depart from
the usual custom of procrasination, ana
enter promptly upon the consideration of
matters which may demand your atten-
ton
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
10 is likely that the QUESTION Of con-
vniion 90 frame new constitution will
b brought before YOU. With Gue defer
ence 90 the sentiment which prevails. 10
my opinion that a convention would be
impo.itIc and involve an unnecessary ex-
lnilure Of money. So far as l am in
formed. the reasons advanced IOr con-
venuou are. that the expenses of the
state Government could thereby be less
enei by returning to the old system or
county courts reducing the number OF
circuit judges and superintendents of pub
Ac free schools. abolishing the office or
County Treasurer. and imposing the
cliies now performed by him upon the
sherln, and changing existing criminal
laws IN many particulars
Let us consider them in their order:
tlrsL A return 10 the old system OF
Justices courts.
Ia This there would be no economy. for
Me aggregate pay OF the justices who con-
fullted the County courts prior to the
PRESENT Constitution was fully as much,
lmnk. as the aggregate salaries Of the
county Judges which are graded according
70 NE population OF the respective coun-
urs Under the old system the County
courts had no jurisdiction I'm felony cases
except against free negroes where the
penalty was not death: and do not sup
l.se 70 Is seriously proposed TO confer
i-ch jurisdiction now, for If IL was not
snsidefed wise when the justices were
tien OF superior intelligence. IL could not
" az present. Under our enlarged suf-
sIase ana citizenship, 1t is a well-known
.aet mat IN certain sections OF the State
~ justices In many instances are infe-
ioi in character, as well as Intelligence
."eN, u felony cases are not TO be tried
~ lne county but In the Circuit courts.
sFttly trials could not be had, and inius-
.le would be done 10 the innocent and
20 tafdy justice meted out 10 the guilty
second. Reduction OF the number of ctr
'it judges.
DO my opinion nearly every judicial cir
ul ln The State Is IS large as a proper
.rtaid f0r the administration of Justice
W w admit Though the population of the
tteeht territory Of Virginia has greatly
,,nsIeasee and business has grown i'm
.s'Aseiyt We have about the same number
q circuit Judges as In the same territory
~ itl, and the uniform salaries less
Nv than then. II the Circuit courts are
~ nave original criminal Jurisdiction i'm
80 lelphF cases. II must be admitted that
w number OF circuit judges would have
~ De increased. In fact ! rink IL would
g., Hhhitely better now TO increase the
,...inpef or circuits and the number of
s,,t' annually OF the Circuit cOa:ts. and
.o-'.. upon The Circuit courts exclusive
ttiis'nai Jurisdiction In felony csac<. II
~ were done appeals would te directly
tes,t Npuft OF Appeals, and this would
.s,,tN ih more speedy determination Of
nsI Sesss ana o large decrease Of crimi-
r,nlIa. Reduction OF number OF super
nrahuehis OF schools
-'e salaries VI these officers like the