Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-03-09

- - ~ Rt2R tAAR 0AARAANR ~
of public institutions exceeding their
appropriations for building and cur
rent expenses. Cut the garment ac-
cording to the cloth or else leave
the garment not begun or unfinished.
Interested bearing obligation created
by boards without authority of law,
are contrary to public policy and
intolerable.
If the members of the Legislature
were paid a fixed salary instead of a
per diem it is claimed that better re-
suits in legislation would then be Sc
cured promptly and extra session
would be avoided by the members of
the Legislature as earnestly as by the
Executive.
A constitutional amendment to linn
it the irreducible school fund 10 one
million dollars meets my cordial APP
prevail, turning as il does the anvilable
surplus and revenue into the public
school fund. The State is spending
yearly many hundreds of thousands
of dollars on academic and higher
education but in my opinion it is
not doing its duty by the public prim
airy schools of the State l am not in
sympathy with hat spirit Of enligh-
tened selfishness which prompts the
richer counties to object to helping
the little children of the State in the
poorer counties to longer terms of
public schools. If the day ever comes
when Jul levy for State taxes can be
reduced | hope that the State levy for
our public schools may be kept as
it is or even increased. With a fair
and equitable system of valuations
for taxation the present tax levy
would doubtless produce ample reve-
nue. for a longer school year.
The proposed constitutional amend
ment as to the fee system may be all
right as far as it goes; but it does
not go far enough. 1t takes little
courage to strike at two or three State
officials, and we can all unite in
correcting the evils of the fee system
as to them, even without a constitu-
tional amendment. But is that the
whole sum of our duty? For twenty
years | have consistently advocated
reforms should be extended outside of
the capitol building, as well as in
clude all within it.
The retiring administration has
been one of the very best in the his
tory of our State. 1t has honestly
and capably administered the affairs
of State in every department. 1t is
entitled as a whole, to the verdict
of well done, good and faithful
servants. To the retiring Chief Exc
cutive | desire to express in this pub
lie way my deep sense of obligation
to him for his PERSONAL courtesies and
assistance to me. He is one of the
tried and true and able leaders of pub
lie thought in our State, and his pur-
pose has always been TO serve the
peoples best interests. He relinquish-
Us tHe oONeIuul ; cuull WIN thC hlSh
regard of all our people. / only hope
my administration may be as success
full and honorable as his has been.
OF the future of our State, its pos
sibilities. its growth, its great re-
sources and its high-minded intelli-
gent and patriotic people, | would
like to speak at length. But time
forbids. We are a happy, a c%ontented
and prosperous people. We have n
of the best States in the union. With
no public debt, with low taxation,
with a hospitable hand to extend to
all who cast their lot with us as doors
and workers, we look proudly and
hopefully TO the future. Our past
has been honorable and patriotic. The
future will find us in the front ranks
of our sister Commonwealths uphold
ing the hands of our National Govern
ment in every loyal and patriotic I'M
dertaking 1--WE enter the new CEN
fury with high hopes and brilliant
prospects.
My earnest deisre is that during the
coming four years the public peace
may not be disturbed that law and
order may prevail that labor may be
fully employed at remunerative wages,
and that happiness and prosperity
may abide at every West Virginian's
heartstone.
Invoking the guidance OF the Su-
preme Ruler of the Universe and His
blessing upon us, / am now ready to
take the oath of Office and assume
the duties and responsibilities of the
Chief Executive of our State.
The Retiring Governors Address.
my fellow citizens of West Vir-
ginia In retiring from a four years
term as the chief executive officer of
the State, / beg your indulgence in