The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-05
3. Doherty who I appointed to succeed

3. Doherty, who appointed to Succeed
him has been most interestingly set
forth in their reports, to which I re-.
spectfully invite your attention
A great many valuable statistics have
been complied, and the Department
promises to be of great usefulness TO the
State. The report CT Commissioner
Doherty for 1901. which Will be ready for
distribution in a few weeks, contains
valuable and useful information. The fu-
ture success of the Department depends
largely on having good conservative
men to discharge the duties Of. Commits
sioner. feel very much gratified at the
way 1t has been and is. now being con-
Quoted Virginia owes much Of the intel
lisence and patriotic spirit Of her labor
ing people. and it is not only a wise
policy, but a just one to promote their
welfare in every way possible.
d - - Mount Vernon: :3disa
50 Special attention is invited to the re-
port Of the Board of Visitors On the part
of, the State to Mount Vernon for the
present year. This is of historic value.
It gives the full history Of the move
ment begun in December, 1866, for the
purchase of Mount Vernon by the Mount
Vernon Ladies' Association Df the Union.
all the legislation OF the State in rela-
ton to that, Association AS we'll as, the
action of the legislatures of the, past
looking to the retention Ct the remains
Of Washington at Mount Vernon, the
facts showing the purchase of Mount
vernon, the agreement. for its purchase,
and the deeds which point uur how Mount
Vernon is held. The credit for this re-
port Is due to Judge James 3. Sener.
one of the Board of Visitors. Judge
Sener has given to the preparation of
this report a great deal Of time. much
investigation, and Very thoughtful con-
No. <,,fI
! currence of the other members of the
Board-to-wit: Hons. J.. H.. NJ. Curry
and B. B. NIunford, Captain John A.
Coke and Mr. R. l.. Garnc-. It is a
most appropriate addition to the States
history. embodying in concreted fern the
story of Mount Vernon. including its
present ownership and management. It
may be added that every fact relating
to the home OF Washington interests not
only all Virginians and all citizens OF the
Union, but many people in foreign lands.
Popular Nomination.
In connection with the subject OF prt-
mary elections, I respectfully call atten-
zion to the recommendation I made to
the last Legislature on the subject of
electing United States senators by direct
vote OF the people. I also earnestly re-
commend the enactment of general prI-
mary election Jaw. TO embrace Euch officers
as may be deemed expsdient, SO mat the
people can have every safeguard they
have in general elections to insure an
honest count Of their votes, otherwise
these primaries will be In the hands of
officials who have no legal responsibility
for a dishonest administration of their Of
fee.
On the &c day Of September, 1874, ~.lat
accomplished gentleman and gifteo schol-
ar and jurist, Judge Baker +. Lee, of the
County Court Of Elizabeth City county.
died. I appointed Hon. S. j. Dudley to
fill the vacancy until thirty Gays after the
meeting of the Legisla ture.
Lands Owned by The State.
The State holds many pieces OF land
that have been bought II Tor delinquent
taxes. and on which the amount OF the
Z accrued taxes is more than the value u
the property. The persons in whose name
they' are assessed are perfectly Indifferent
as to what disposition the State makes
of them. AS long as they are held by the
State. and until the owners or some one
else will pay the. accrued taxes. the lanas
or lots are OF no taxable value to the
State or cities in which they are located.
If these pieces of land e;Weres duly zaoset-
tised and sold at public auction Tor what
they would bring. the new purchasers
would at once become taxpayers on the
and cities that are now kept entirely OUT
of their taxes could also derive their pro-
:prtlou on the new value that Would De
ascertained by the sale.
I would recommend the enactne mt or q
law directing the sale OF all lands where
the amount OF accrued taxes Is clearly
more than the value Of the property ior
such amount as they viii bring at pubic
auction. In one city that have investt-
gated municipal taxes have accumulated
to the amount Of $4,000. and the amount
dua the State is about a third as much
more. Neither the State city can or
| viii ever derive particle Of taxes from
such property. and there Is certainly no
advantage in holding it. have no
doubt other cities and counties Sof the
|. Commonwealth will also show a large
/ amount in like condition. sa:s 80 IS
Preservation Of Historic Spots.
There are certain historic spots upon
the battle fields and elsewhere in vIr-
gir1ia now easily located, but which when
| the present generation passes away VIII
| be impossible TO be found. q distinguish