Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-07
THURSDAY. DECEMBER z, 1895
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

TO the General Assembly yesterday,
graphically pictures the mighty strides OF
prosress that have been made. the world
over, in the present century. Then ne
takes up the subject OF the Spanish
American war. and says that in less than
forty-eight hours after he was called upon
for Virginia's first quota more than five
times as many men az were needed eager
ly proffered their services. In preparing
our troops for the field, III addition to
the invaluable services OF the AdJutant-
General. the Governor makes special ac-
acknowledgements of the services Of Colonels
10 Lane Stern, c. OBJ. Cowardin, w. o.
SHELTON, W. b. Tenant, and w. NJ. Coul-
ling. And then he recommends that the
Legislature make an appropriation to fur
nish each officer who served in the Span
ish-American war with a souvenir com
mission of service; also, that badge
be provided for the enlisted men.
The annual report of the Adjutant-
General is transmitted by the Governor
with an endorsement of the recommends
tons made with respect 10 the reorgani-
zation of our State volunteers. The Gov
ernor suggests that 1t would be a wise
expenditure 10 provide means for the
drilling and discipline of bodies of State
troops about which as nucleus, suffi-
cient numbers Of men may form, when
ever need may arise.
The Governor refers with pleasure TO
the fact that instead OF being a burden
TO the State. the oyster-grounds yielded
the first year. under our new system,
s5s0p-more than $4,000 Of which was
clear profit! He thinks Virginia Ultimate
ly should receive 10000 or more,
annually from her oyster-beds. He re-
commends ID that the State should pre-
serve the natural beds and encourage
planting; 90 that a survey should be
made as suggested by the Board of Fish
cries; co that the basis of the present
oyster law should not be disturbed. In
concluding his remarks on this subject.
he adds
If Virginia can be fortunate enough
always TO keep tho positions on such
boards from being the rewards of parties
and politica, labors. we will have the
pleasure In the 1utcIe, as at present, of
receiving gratifying returns"
The financial condition of the State,
Governor Tyler says, is Every flattering."
The / per cent. additional interest on
the century bonds will have to be met
January /. 1902. This will impose an in
crease of burden of $4,000 per annum.
a.. L.. IL.
sury. the Governor thinks it would per-
haps be an irreparable mistake for the
Legislature Ito conclude that there is
less need for the exercise of economy
than there has been in past years" by
all MEANS" says he, 1--WE should await
fix upon the Treasury any permanent in
crease In expenditures further than is
absolutely necessary" The Governor is
right. and this doctrine cannot be too
perslstently dinned into legislators ears
IL IL should become necessary that any
creased assessment, the Governor be-
lieves the railroad and some other cor
porations would gladly bear a reasonable
one ON their property. "They are getting
moro and more prosperous every year.
and the amount of taxes paid by them in
proportion 10 their income Is nothing like
that paid by other property-owners in the
state" Furthermore. he says 1t was
the general understanding at the time
Of the Debt Commission. that If any in
crease in taxes were required in order TO
meet the additional interest charges, the
railroads would assume said Increase.
The Governor says that our system of
taxation. as applied TO railroads. is very
much less burdensome than that OF many
other States. IAN the frst-class lines in
the State are assessed at $4,000 per mile.
while 1t is a known fact that hundreds
OF miles OF these roads are mortgaged at
TWO, three, and four times this amount"
The Governor makes passing remark
about railroads interfering In politics. and
then recommends % that no corpora
lion, In ascertaining its income. shall be
allowed TO deduct interest on bonds great
or than the amount OF assessments
Tor taxation against the property. Cd
that the office of State Railroad Commits
sicner be abolished. and III In the Wis
Com Of the Legislature. any such com
mission II desirable. that its object and
seeses W clearly defined by law, and