Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-02
THURSDAY. go. DECEMBER 2, 1897.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
We print this morning in other column:
of the Dispatch a full synopsis of Cover
nor OFerralrs lengthy annual message
which was laid before the General as
sembly upon it's meeting yesterday. The
document contains many recommends
tons. more or less important. Some of
these are in harmony with views the
Governor expressed in his annual Mes
sage to the Legislature of 1856; others
show that since then he has experienced
a change of heart relative to certain
questions.
The message opens with congratulations
upon the health conditions that have
prevailed during the last two years, re-
fers in the same strain to our abundant
crops the past year and the remuneratve
prices obtained therefor, and TO our
"quickened industrial enterprises" and
urges that steps be taken to develop our
natural resources and inaugurate a sys-
tenn for advancing Virginas interests IN
the way of attracting immigration and
capital to her.
Next, the subject Of preservation of
law and prevention of lynchings is taken
up, and treated at considerable length
The Governor facilitates himself that onlyi
three lynchings have occurred during his
administration, and iterates the recon-
mendation made in his last message.
This recommendation is, in brief. that n
heavy pecuniary penalty be imposed on
each county and city in which a lynch
Ing occurs; that wherever the military
may be called out to protect a prisoner in
a county or city, such county or city be
charged with the expenses thereof, and
that officers who allow prisoners to ne
taken from their custody without frs,
having exhausted all possible means to
project the prisoners be summarily sus-
pended until the question of dismissal shall
be determined by a jury. In taking. cog
nizance of the cause of most Iynchinps- |
1.-THE usual crime"-the Governor recon-
mends that there be only one penalty for
that crime, and that death. He would |
take away from jurors all discretion as 10 |
the grade Of punishment in such cases.
The Governor would strengthen .he |
laws against horse-racing gambling. and |
prize-hghting. He rejoices that there
have been no serious labor Disturbances
in the State; gives considerable attention
10 the mutual dependency of capital and
labor; suggests a board of arbitration es-
tabiished by statute to settle questions Of
wages between employees and employers.
and then passes TO the consideration of
penitentiary matters. In this connection
he declares that the fact that the peniten-
tiary has during the past ten years yield.
ed the commonwealth a net revenue of
from $4,000 to 100000 imposes the obliga-
ton TO provide humane and healthy quar-
tiers for the convicts and that the States
failure 10 do so cannot be too severely
condemned. He says, further, that the
is a disgrace. and a reproach !
10 the State, not In its management. but !
In the inhuman manner in which he ]
;onvicts are necessarily crowded into the '
cells. and urges that no time be lost in I
me erection of a new and modern prison {
commodious not only for ex I
sting but for future demands. In the e
'ame line he recommends the establish c
nent Of negro reforma;ory, and en- 1
iorses strongly the investment Of the h
tate In State convict farm. z
The management OF the public schools v
8 praised. the Importance of enacting y a
Ienerl public road law is pressed; we "
ire told that we have reason TO be proud Is
4 our State hospitals. for which ample s.
PROVISION should be made. and II is sug- q
tested that the cost Of supporting prison. 81
RS in the jails OF the Commonwealth Is
90 heavy. Referring to escapes from
all. the Governor says that IF cities o
nd counties win not provide secure fails 4
nd put vigilant and reliable officers I'm a
harse OF them, they should at least be
equired to reimburse the Commonwealth
Or money expended by reason Of their p
ault and dereliction OF duty" te
In dealing with State expenses. the
GOVERNOR favors economy by cutting
o~n.' as far as may be consistent with "a
proper administration OF the govern VI
tent. and recommends the appointment
special joint legislative committee '.
look INTO the annual charges and sug- .,
est means for raising our revenues. ana
avins money, wherever this can be done,
10 also favors a tonnage tax on an ferti- =.
Srfs sold In the State. ~.
a great deal OF space Is deyotsd To a "
reussion OF the oyster laws. The CIV
''0' SAYS there Is something radically on