Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-01-26
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Makes Three Important Suggestions to
the Legislature.

the Legislature.
Richmond. Va, January 90, 1901.
Governor Tyler's message present.
cd to the General Assembly to-day,
makes two or three important sug-
gestions-the enlarging OF the peni-
Tertiary, the repairs to the Capitol
and greater security in the handling
of funds. The message is as fol-
lows:
To the General Assembly of Virginia:
In obedience to the voice OF the
people expressed at the polls on the
fourth Thursday in May last. and In
accordance with manifest desire Of
a ma jority of the people Of the State =,
you have been convened In extra SEES
sion to arrange for the assembling Of
a Constitutional Convention to re-
model our organic laws. This duty
will, l am sure, receive your drst and
most faithful attention, and the re-
sponsibilities 1t imposes will be met
in the same wise and patriotic man
aer which has ever characterized the
representatives Of the people Of Vir-
ginia.
1t is not within my province to out
line the plan on which the conven-
tion should be organized. am sure
your own conclusions will bel wise
aud best after you shall have given
he subject due consideration. L
would only urge that the strictest
economy be exercised, and a plan
adopted which will be most economi
u he inn
with suitable representation OF the
varied interests Of the State. there
fore take the liberty of urging as
small a representation as In tpe Wis
ION of the General Assembly mey
pc deemed best. In view OF the SUI
creme importance OF this question,
md owing to the limited time OF
yeur session, l will refrain from
bringing to your attention only mat
.ers demanding immediate considera-
lion.
am glad to inform you that the
affairs OF the State are In good con-
dition. The reports of: the various
departments show commendable de-
votion to duty on part OF the officers
and various boards OF managers OF
)ut State institutions.
In my last message had the honor
20 urge the necessity for the enlarge
nent of the penitentiary. This 10 still
4 matter of pressing Importance, and
j, u subject that is receiving great
ieal Of public attention. l am aware
that the question has many perplex-
tiles, and calls for deliberation and
debate 1t is quite probable that in the
united time of an extra session that
you may not be able to give to this
subject the attention it deserves, and
would therefore suggest that com
mittee be appointed to investigate
the whole matter and report to the
next session OF the Legislature what
would be best to do 10 regard to the
enlargement OF the penitentiary, and
il so on, what plan and to what ex-
tent am sure il committee would
investigate this question especially
during the hot Summer months, and
see the suffering and Inconvenience
and danger to which the prisoners
are exposed on account OF their
crowded condition, they would yield
TO the reasonable demands OF justice
and report in favor Of some better
system for caring for these unfortun-
ate people. Quite number. are kept
at the farm; all in fact that can be
S AIRED from the contract under
which those in the penitentiary are
worked; but it is impossible to relieve
the congestion. Ihave thought that
in view Of future contingencies that
may arise, and needs that do now
Exist that it might be we'll for the
State to sell the present farm and
buy another somewhat nearer, either |
above or below the city, or else buy
more land adjacent to that already |
owned, and that 1t might be best to
remove the penitentiary building |
Dr erect more buildings on the farm.
If the present contract is continued
the farm and shoe shop could be
operated to mutual advantage by
having the two together. At differ
emit times the number Of hands re-
luired on the farm and in the shop |
varies, and it might be that with |
malicious management that either |
)ne when not pressed, could supply |
needed help to the other. There are
certainly strong reasons why new |
buildings should not be attached to |
the old ones. They would soon be-
come infested, and the tortures to
yrisoners would be as great In the
lew cells as is now felt In the old
mes. Few and modern cells that can
De kept clean Is one OF the crying
leeds of the institution. The grounds
lpon which the buildings now stand
IRE valuable, and would go far to-
Yards defraying the expenses OF
making change, If removal should
)e deemed ADMIRABLE.
The whole Question could be
thoroughly digested, and certainly
more satisfactory information could
70 obtained by committee than by
he Legislature in the short period
4 its session, and especially with go
many other matters demanding at
ention. The same committee might
lso take into consideration the quet-
ion Of making needed repairs to the
,apitol and arranging a conveniens
Ian for heating that building, the
library and Executive Mansion.
he necessity for these changes, and
specially for the re>roofing OF the
apitol, was urged in my last mes
age, and, think, on two former &C.
asions. by my predecessors. Only
nose who have made close inspec- |
on of the building can form an idea
the pressing necessity for imme- 6
late attention, and l earnestly ask {
lie members to realize before 1t lie {
70 late that something must be done G
we wish to preserve this historic 4
ructure so dear to the hearts OF our t
,ople. This committee could also a
, empowered to dispose Of or de- a
roy the great quantity OF old and e
eless publications which are en- b
.ngering the building by their n
eight and inflammable nature. c
| would also suggest that the Legis- I
Lure give consideration to provid- =
< more business-like system for
. handling Of the finances OF the +
ate, and of the counties, and
mmittee might be appointed to
AXE supoestiOne along this line |