Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-07
that It's onic~s be paid out of the Trea-
sury Of the state"

|
for the funding Of old State. securities |
again opened for limited tinse TO thos
who hayc not yet awaited theflselves
tho privilege.
The Attorney-General being burdene
with other important work. the CoVerno
urges that special attorney be appoint
ed to collect certain claims due Virginia
The reports OF the Penitenuary Boar
and Superintendent are reviewed al som
length by the Governor. and he recon
mends "a that early steps be taken loon
ing TO uhc enlargement OF the mems cen
house: % that a chaplain he appointed
for the prison: go that additional ian'
be acquired for TIE State Farm; 90 tina
the conditional pardons act be amended
so as to embrace within los PROVISIONS
many prisoners now excluded
The Hanover negro Reformator,
! comes I'm for a good word and the Gov
| ernor recommends that il he put upon
| about the same footing as the Laurel Re-
| formafory. and he adds: 1T may be that
the Legislature will see its way clear to
make a reasonable appropriation for me-
| cessary buildings.
The Staae hospitals for the insane are
reported to be crowded. and the Cover
nor calls upon the Legislature TO take
measures TO relieve that condition. He
recommends that the necessary appro-
priation be made as soon as practicable
to complete the hospital building at
Marion.
The Governor holds that membership
in boards Of State Institutions should be
distributed throughout the State as far
as possible. He reports that our public
schools and other educational institutions
are doing their great work well. He
urges THAI the appropriation to the Sol
diers' Home, and the general appropria-
ton for MANNED and dependent soldiers.
be continued.
With respect to the Capitol, the Gov
ernor recommends that its roof be sub
which would make the building almost
freproof Then he would have the paint
ings. which so long hung in the ro-
tunda, brought back from the Library.
He also recommends that the lighting
Of the Capitol Square and the lighting
and heating of the Library. the Capitol,
and the Executive Mansion should all
be done from a plant at the Library
building.
AS wholesome checks on the abuses and
expressions of corporations and combines,
the Governor recommends the addi-
he
forth in his inaugural message. Among
acts that he would make criminal are:
Use of money by contributions, or other
wise, in elections or primaries; false re-
turns of taxable values; the publishing
Of false financial statements by officers
or directors; illegal combinations to OPP
press a weak competitor. etc. OF one
thing the Governor feels sure: That
unless some such safeguards are erected
to check and regulate the power and
influence of these grasping combines,
the people will soon become manacled
slaves"
Referring to the election laws. the Gov
ernor suggests that 1t is only right that
the judge at the polls should be pro-
tected in his thankless task and given
the opportunity to defend himself against
groundless charges, and stop the cry and
clamor Of the detractors of himself and
State.
The senatorial primary is discussed at
some length by the Governor, and he
earnestly recommends that the wish Of
the people be respected and that the
Legislature pass a general primary law,
whereby 1.-The people may vote directly |
on their choice for United States Senator, |
and have the same safeguards and as
surances that they have in other general |
elections that their wishes will be pro-
perry recorded
The Governor heartily recommends an |
additional appropriation for the State |
Agricultural Department either direct |
from the Treasury or by small tonnage |
tax on fertilizers sold. Commissioner |
koiners suggestions as to pure-food |
law and the establishment of farmers |
institutes are commended. The Cover
nor further urges a full geological survey |
of Virginia's mineral resources.
Tic lCpOIl VI iLt LdDOT OOHlIllSSlOneT
is commended, and the Governor hopes
that favorable consideration will be given
the changes in the law which the Com
missioner suggests.
The Governor then refers to the status
of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS boundary line
question:; to the general good order that
has prevailed throughout the State. and
to the appearance OF yellow-fever near
Hampton last summer.
He recommends that either joint COM
mittee of the two houses, or a committee
of the citizens at large, be appointed to
suggest changes in the present State Con-
stitution.
The Governor next refers to the death
of ex-Governors Mckinney and Holladay;
Judges Mclaughlin. Coleman, Holman,
and Farrar. and Colonel John Bell Big
ger, and, in conclusion. says: May your
labors and conscientious endeavors TO de-
wise wise and just laws for the best in
terests Of our State receive the benedic-
tons OF kind Providence. which has
ever watched over the affairs of our
people"
-[-~--~---
THE "LAND-GRABBERs' ACT.