Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-17


Commonwealth OF Virginia.
Governors Office.
Richmond. Va. February IS. 1898
10 the General Assembly Of Virginia.:
Your session is fast drawing to a close.
and l am fully aware that the work Of
the Legislature has been arduous and
delicate
The members Of both houses are TO be
congratulated upon the faithful and
earnest manner in which they have dis
charged their duties. and though much
mas been done which will rebound TO the
true interest OF the people. much of Inn
portance will necessarily be left undone
on account Of the many perplexities with
which you have been surrounded.
Let us not be deluded with the idea
that because a fund may be on hand. or
may accumulate by the time our interest
demands will increase, sufficient to carry
us Tor few years, that therefore. we
need no legislation to help us when
greater demand will be laid upon the
Treasury. As / said I'm my inaugural adj
dress 1T is "a wise captain and crew
who will take a reef IN their sails I'm the
face Of an approaching gale" and II must
be apparent 10 all that we are threatened
BILE values If the present depressioa con-
tlnues. We must not fail to take a reef
in the sail Of our expenditures in order
TO secure that far reaching economy
which should be observed.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM COMMITS
SION.
When / was indicted into Office it was
my privilege ITO suggest legislation on
certain lines one of which was the APP
pointment of a special committee or com
mission 10 take into consideration the
whole question of constitutional reforms.
/ know that the Legislature has had this
subject under advisement. and that much
consideration has been given the matter
by both houses. and have no doubt that
many desirable changes may be proposed.
Yet. i'm the nature of things / am pur-
suaded that the subject will not receive
the attention its importance deserves. /.
therefore take the liberty of renewing
the suggestions contained i'm my in
augural address. l would ask the Legis-
lature TO seriously consider the question
Of appointing an interim committee or
commission to report to the next session
of the Legislature. or to special session.
as may be deemed most desirable. This
committee might be composed of limit
ed number of chosen men, and it
seems to me that ii would be well 10 pre-
scribe that not more than two thirds
should belong TO one political party.
small number Of men would undoubtedly
DO this work more effectively than large
body, and. of course. the expenses would
be correspondingy lessened. To have
members Of different political parties
would remove the objections of partisan
ship. and inspire all classes with the hope
Of securing such changes in our organic
I, 10 fhpm
beneficial.
PREFERABLE TO A CONVENTION.
There is strong demand for a const-
tutional convention. and this demand Is
likely to increase. To my mind the sys-
tenn / propose. for many reasons, is more
desirable than the calling OF convention.
In the first place the delay need not be
much greater. and there is far more GER
tainty Of securing desirable changes and
having them adopted by the people than
there would be Of succeeding on the line
Of calling a convention. There Is risk
that the call would not be sustained;
there is risk as TO the composition of the
convention; there also might be some
risk as to the final adoption of the Con-
stitution. and | believe that the expenses
of a special committee or commission
would be less than would accrue by the
holding Of constitutional convenuon-an
item of great importance at this time.
These suggestions / offer in a spirit
prompted by a desire TO promote the well
fare of the people. and are commended to
your kind consideration with the hope
that they may meet your favorable APP
prevail. and bring forth results greatly to
be desired by all the people OF our Com
monwealth. Respectfully,
j. HOGE TYLER, Governor.
VIEWS ON THE MESSAGE.
The message was read in the Senate
and laid on the table, but 1t was not
read in the House, and many members
of that body last night knew nothlhs ol
its contents. 1t was very generally us
cussed among the senators, however, ana
commended 1t was regarded as tlinely'
and by many, as needed owing 10 the
slow progress made in effecting retrench-
mont legislation. The recommendation
regarding the appointment Of re-
trenchment commission ELECTED com
ment. owing to the fact that the House
recently refused to adopt such an idea.
81 oon't think much Of the plan OF
having q retrenchment commission. salu
Senator Keezel. 81 have no doubt that
the Governor regards ii as the very best
means to effect a reduction OF expenses,
but l would like to know how such
commission is going TO do any more than
legislative committee You want to
know where the trouble is? I'll tell you;
The LEGISLATURE knows mighty well what
ought TO be done-there's no lack Of in
formation as TO methods of retrench-
ment All that's lacking is inclination.
can't see. 20 save my life, how we are to
expect the army of lobbyists, which OPP
noses all retrenchment now, to be any
smaller at the next session Of the Legis-
lature bv reason Of the report OF COM
noission or their clamor to be any the
loss loud. If the Legislature Will do all
n can do. and all 1t knows to do, am OF
the opinion there are going TO be mighty
few people dissatisfied with 1t, except
those affected by the cuts
WORK ALREADY DONE
neleeate Parker. of Southampton. COM
mended the message in general terms. Dut
called attention to the fact that the hous-
has already enacted good deal OF legis-
Iation of an economical character.
~ think if the Senate keeps up WIN
the House this legislation Will have e.
fected a great saving I'm State eXpehoi-
lures" he said. Il figure II out some
thing like this" and the Delegate from
soutbampton proceeded TO scratch down
a tabulated statement like the followinS:
Cut I'm salaries state officers ana
clerks .......... ....'...s'..'''. 'siS'v'o
School superintendents salaries cut o'VO
cut In jailers' fees ........-...,........ lo'Op
Half fees in certain cases............. oO'VVJ
ro.., $4,000
orrhese bills have all been sent TO the
lopgt Lpou what thew will do