Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-02
HIS ADMINISTRATION.
Important Measures CoDsummated-
The Debt and Oyster Questions.

The Debt and Oyster Questions.
Governor McKinney's talents and SER
vices TO his party caused him 10 be
frequently mentioned for the Demo-
cratic nomination for Governor He was
the most formidable competitor of Gene
raj Fitzhugh Lee for the nomination,
and in 1889 his time came. The
Democratic convention Of that year
The Democratic convention Of that year
met I'm this city. August the 1ith. and on
August 18th he was nominated for Gov
ernor on the second ballot Judge w. II.
Mann, Of Nottoway, rhaking the nomi-
mating speech. His opponents for the
nomination were the late Richard +.
Beirne Hon j. Hoge Tyler. Hon John
r. Harris Hon. Charles y. O'Ferral,
and Nj. s. W. Nenable. The ballot
stood: Mckinney, IA; Beirne, $50; OFer-
rail-. 309; Tyler 1o3; Venable, 81;
Harris having been dropped.
Governor Mckinney made an exceed
ingy active canvass Of the state, and
aroused the greatest enthusiasm He
was elected in the following November
over General William Malone. the Re
publican candidate. 10y a majority APP
proXimating 5000, and was inaugurated
Governor January !, 1899.
His administration, from business
standpoint, was one Of the most inn
portant Virginia has had since the war.
He was an exceedingly modest man and
had an instructive distaste for any
thing like show or parade, hence he
frequently declined to appear as an ora
tor on festive occasions but he never
shrank from a debate on great political
questions.
THE STATE DEBT.
During his administration many i'm
afHasr MI
helpful to the material prosperity of the
state were initiated and successfully
prosecuted. Among the great events of
his administration was the settlement
of the Virginia debt question. Many at
tempts mad been made TO effect set
Element which would be acceptable to
the bondholders and the State. and the
| situation appeared TO be well nigh nope
! less. until the matter was taken up Dy
| a committee Of New York business
men. and. by resolution of the Senate,
| introduced By Ion. II. r. Wickham,
commission was formed. Of which Gov
| ernor Mckinney was ex-ofiicio chair
| man. These two bodies, after much cor
| respondence came together in Rich-
mond i'm November. 1892. and agreed
upon a basis of settlement, which re-
| suited in the passage of the act OF
! February % 1892. by which this veXed
| question was disposed of to the salts
| faction Of all parties.
The chairman of the New York Com
! mittee was Mr.. OlcOtt, thorough Dusl-
| ness-man, and on his first meeting with
| Governor Mckinney the two came 10
a thorough business understanding on
| the subject on hand.
| In 1892 Governor Mckinney requested
| the Attorney-General TO examine INTO
| the question of taxing the hotels and
! other private property on the govern
ment reservation at Fort Monroe. The
| Attorney-General. Major r.. Taylor
| Scott. reported that such property was
! subject 10 state taxation, and the Audi
| tor of Public Accounts instructed the
Commissioners of the Revenue TO assess
the property. The property-holders
resisted. and the matter was carried 10
the Circuit Court of the city of Rich
mond The case was decided in favor OF
the state. and the result was the pay
ment into the State Treasury Of %,4OO,
In Elizabeth City county 5000 for back
taxes" and the subjection OF S2SlOoO OF
nronertv to permanent State and county
taxation.
PFNITENTIARY FARM
The penitentiary farm was pet
scheme of Governor McKinney's, and the
outlook indicates that it will prove
n a.
state has ever adopted 10 utilize the
labor of her convicts.
The Laurel Reformatory was started
under Governor McKnney's administra-
ton. and with his hearty approval and
aid. and its present promising condition
l. creditablc TO the state and 10 the
wisdom Of those who created and fos-
tered the enterprise.
LIBRARY BUILDING.
The lons-felt need Of suitable quarters
for the executive officers OF the State ior
the valuable archives which were stored
in the old Capitol. and for the state
Library. was supplied during Governor
Mckinney's term OF office by the erec'ioh
Of the superb building now occupied oy
.hese departments. Governor MchHiiey
was chairman OF the committee "H,n
planned and erected this structure ie
.ook the deepest interest In It's cohs,lu~
ton aud gave great attention 10 e'ei'
detail thereof.
CAPITOL.
In addition, he had the oiu pu,'urIe ,i,'h
much improved. The rotuhua was t,,s- -
somely painted, the Ole "oooen heau-
coating removed and replaced with peau
40, ,n,nes ana the worn-out floors laiu
vim marble tagging. which VIII s.dnu
for many years the rough usage 10 WHY"
fl is necessarily subjected
THE OYSTER QUESTION.
c,,,,or,or Mckinney held very pro-
nonnced views on the -yster Question. Oh.
a1" ne hoI,evcd that by proper legislation the
a''s,or 49, co1ld be made n source OF I'M
'nsa ,yeoIth 10 the people. and would III
time hiring in a revenue OF perhaps
million dollars TO the state IreasuIy.
His messages to the General Asse"o'S
CONCLUDED on SECOND PAGE)