The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-05
AFFAIRS OF THE STATE.
ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.
Governors Message to the General Assembly
Makes Fine Showing.
A REVIEW OF HIS ADMINISTRATION.
States Finances and Her Public Institutions Are IN
Excellent Condition.
SOME. IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. MADE.
Recommends Removed From Land and Points out
Difficulty Taxing Invisible PropertyBetter Penitnay and
Farm Needed-mproved Condition of the Military
Urges Popular Election Of Senator's
3VIEW OF HIS. ADMINISTRATION
and Her Public Institut
Excellent Condition.
.sOME IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. MADI

The message of Governor Tyler winch
is printed in full below, was read IN the
two houses of the General Assembly upon
their organization yesterday. The paper
Is an exceptionally able one, and treats
of State matters in manner highly chaF-
acteristic of the popular Executive, who
will Weld his high station to Governor
elect Montague on January LIST next
After the message was read by
the clerks of the Senate and the
House it was ordered printed ior
use of the members. This was ordered
in the House on motion of Colonel George
C. cabell. Jr., of Danvile, who is regarded
as the spokesman in that body. Of both
the present and the incoming Governor.
on the Senate side, Mr.. McIlwaine made
the motion.
The message, which treats of all State
matters il, a very interesting manner, is
as follows:
Commonwealth Of Virginia,
Governors Office.
December 4, 1901.
To the General Assembly of Virginia:
You have assembled as the representa-
t;ves of the people of Virginia to enact
such laws as will best promote the pubic
good. lit is my pleasure to extend 10
You a cordia! welcome to the Capitol and
my duty to submit to you report OF the
condition of the various departments OF
State government.
This is a most important epoch in the
affairs of the State, and the people OIL
Virginia are to be congratulated tiidl
their interests have been committed 10
such capable hands. Under q system Oh
government such we enjoy, rep
resentativc should peculiarly feel his Cd
LEGATION He holds his position not by
virtue of his birth or inheritance. put
stands with commission from a free and
enlightened people and Should be bound
by every consideration of honor ana Sooo
faith TO put forth his best efforts to pro-
mote the welfare of the people who have
committed their interests into his Keep
ing. The best guarantee of securing
faithful public servants is for All me
voters to participate in their seiectioh
and the lively interest that has been
manifested by our people is best attested
by the character OF men they have sent
~ represent them in the General As
sembly.
To me this occasion has a peculiar sig
nificsnce. It is the last 1t is the last
General Assembly that will meet during
nv administration as Governor OF the
Commonwealth and the last one through
which will render an official account OF
my stewardship in the high once winch
the people Of the State committed 10 my
hands on the lst day OF January 1850
] have honestly striven to discharge inc
duties of the Office to the best of my abli-
;,y and while no human being can lay
The fattering JUNCTION to his soul that
he has not mado mistakes. l nave peeh
sustained ry a generous and noble peo-
ple. whose kindness to ne mas ever peen
far beyond my deserts. l confess 10
keen satisfaction in the ability to report
~ most gratifying and healthful improve
rnent in the affairs and condition OF our
people, especially as shown IN the various
departments of State government ouiiits
my term as Governor
The four years have been filled with
rapidly changing and important events
in our national affairs, and While me
states participation in these was re-
ferred to in my message to the last reg
MAR session of the General Assembly
the far-reaching effects OF the poncies
that have been inaugurated. involving, ds
they do the fundamental principles Oh
our government. impose an additional
duty On the State law-making bodies 10
keep constantly before their minds the
basic theories of government on which
ON. country has been built, and while
keeping pace with the onward rlarch oi
industrial and commercial development,
,sa their best efforts to hold the ship or
our national existence in the safe chan-
mel of constitutional government
In our State affairs issues OF the gray
est inheritance to the peace. welfare anu
development of our State are now en-
crossing the public mind. The neces-
sity for changes in our organic law had
long been recognized. and 1t was In ope-
dience to this demand on the part OF the
people that a convention for amending
and revising our present constitution was
called. and met on the 18th OF June last
end has been lahoring most zealously TO
give to the people the newest ana pest
Constitution that can be devised. 1t IS
connosed of the best and most patriotlc
or our citizens. and the confident nope
can be INDUCED that the result OF 'heif
labors will be TO give new impetus 10
.he growth and development OF our pc
loved Commonwealth AS they nave not
ycr completed their labors and as they
have under consideration measures 10 De
enyrafted in our organic law touchihs
NOS, of the subjects that ! should bring
,n tentative way. basing my reasons
on fundamental principles that have al
ways. and will always. have place IL our
State government.
State Finances.
The first subject that should demand
the attention of the peoples represent
atives is the condition and management
OF their finances by those charged with
The collection and disbursement OF their
money, and close scrutiny into the laws
that have been enacted for the collection
of taxes from the people adjusting as far
as nossible the inequalities that are found
10 exist-remitting where 1t is found to
Law too heavily and imposing where 1t Is
evident that any citizen or class OF cit
szens are not contributing their just pro-
portion towards the support OF the nee
essary functions Of an economically az
rn,nisterea government. am s'ad to be
able TO say that the financial affairs OF
The state show most gratifying I'M
proyement in the last four years. ana
,,re now on sound and healthtei OASIS
,rha state debt which had long oeen d