The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-24
THURSDAY, JANUARY n. 1901.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Governor Tylers message TO the LeSis-
1ature is short and pointed. BE says that
he called The Legislature together in eN-
ira session .'in obedience to the voice of
the people and in accordance with the
manifest desire of a majority OF the pco-
pie of the State to arrange for the as
scnbling of a Constitutional Convention
10 remodel the organic laws Of Virginia
He i1nprcsses upon the members that this
is the specific business in hand, and that
this should take precedence over all
ihinssG,Se-
The Governor adds that while not with
in his province TO outline the plan upon
which the Convention should be or
eanizcd, he would urge that the strictest
economy he exercised and the plan
adopted which will be most economical,
and at the same time consistent with IA
suitable representation OF the varied in
terests of the State" He, therefore,
recommends ''as small a representation
as in the wisdom of the General Assem-
bly, may he deemed best"
We heartily concur III this recommended
ton of the Governor. The Convention
should. of all things, be a deliberative
body, and a comparatively few intelli-
gent, discreet and patriotic men will come
nearer TO arriving at iudcious conclu-
sions and desired results than q body
which is overburdened with numbers. 1t
viii not be necessary TO have every
crossroads in the State represented in
The Convention. The various sections
should be represented and the various in
1erests of the State should he represented
but this can be done without having a
largely-attended Convention. The State
needs in the Convention d few breed
minded. patriotic men who will look after
the general welfare and not SO much after
individual interests. The Constitution OF
the State should simply embody those
broad and well recognized principles of
republican government, which guarantee
TO the people their personal, religious and
property rights. The details Will be
worked out by the Legislature and en-
bodied in the statutory laws We think
that il would be a public misfortune. to
say nothing Of the additional expense, TO
have Convention composed Of two or
three hundred delegates.
Governor Tyler does not make any
recommendations in the matter OF general
legislation, but he does call the attention
of the Legislature 10 the urgent need of
charging the penitentiary and making
sanitary improvements in that institu-
ton He suggests that committee be
appointed to investigate the whole mat
ter and report to the next session of the
Legislature what would be best to do il.
regard 10 the enlargement, and If SO, on
what plan and 10 what extent
Ii may not be possible for the present
session of the Legislature 10 take mp this
mand for more cell room and for other
improvements is so imperative that there
should be no unnecessary delay. It seems
10 US that the Legislature might appoint
a committee at once and have the com
nlittee make Investigations, and if posi-
BILE evolve plan, and in that event
adopt the plan and make the necessary
appropriation for the work before the scs.
sion shall haze come to a close. 1t is an
emergency case, and while we do not be-
liere In hasty action. the matter has been
SO long under consideration that we be-
liere ii can be taken up and disposed OF
now as well as later on. We doubt not
that the members of the peaitentiary
board and the superintendent have al
ready a plan in view for the needful i'm.
prore.nents, and a special committee o,
the Legislature in connection with the
members of this board can, in our opinion
dispose of the whole question in short
order.
Every day that The work is delayed is q
day of sorrow 10 the wretehed inmates
OF the institution who are crowded to-
ge,hcr in the confines of narrow cells. ant
their distress is such that it should bs
relieved a. soon as possible,