The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-14
THURSDAY, JANUARY u, 1904.
The Governor S Message.

8 rrha first General Assembly elected
nnder yirGlnias new Constitution as
\ sembled yesterday. Heretofore the limo
Nj of meeting of tho two houses mas peef
the first wednesday in December; nov
Il a, IL the second Wednesday IN January
The purpose OF the change Is to utlliZe
the time hitherto lost in and ABOUT inc
81 holidays And whereas the General AS
81 sembly's sessions were formerly Limited
10 ninety days, they arc now limited TO
NJ sixty. and are to continue to DO pien-
NAL. All Of the members OF the present
House OF Delegates were elected last
November. when also about one-haif OF
II the senators were elected; tho other
4 senator's arc "holdovers,,' under the
terms and arrangements of the new
4 Constitution.
Tho Governors message, which was
submitted yesterday, is a short but prac-
teal and sensible document. lie devotes
his attention to. limited number OF
aubiects, and these he treats prudentlys
and tersely.
The Governor urges tho people TO keep
vigorous watch for attractions OF cleo
tion laws and to extend support to those
who observe them In letter and III spiflt
He argues with much spirit IN favor OF
The urinary election system, and says
..no objection obtains against 1t which
s does not also obtain against the regular
election He therefore recommends the
( ana ctment OF general primary law
analogous to the principles and meth
dds of general elections. operated upon
the sanction Of party authorities.
$ The message states that, the Increased
revenue derived from corporate prop
crty is very gratifying. The present
4 revenue assessment "mnde by the Cor
u poration Commission alone. will exceed
that of last years by about s4aSoo'
Our income, in round numbers, VIII ap-
proximate four million dollars per an
nun, "thus demonstrating the ability
of the Commonwealth to meet every OBJ
ligation and to provide for improved ad-
mtnistrations in many departments.
He thinks 1t needful that the State
should proceed expeditously in the en-
largement Of the sinking fund, and he
shows how this may be done With great
advantage to the State.
The Governor finds some encourage
AT ment In the condition Of the free public
schools. He is OF the opinion that school
terms should be mine months, and the
maximum tax rate allowed by the Con-
stitution enacted" He renews his
former recommsshdatloa respecting in
dustrIal and manual training, arguing
that "the people should be educated for
tho sklful pursuit OF manufacturing
IS and farming.
5{ "a kind word is spoken for the State
Library. An appropriation for 1t of a
few hundred dollars per annum Is re-
commended. The Governor thinks every
Virginia city, county and town should
have access to these valuable books, and
therefore he urges the adoption OF what
Is known as "traveling libraries" which
X can be projected by the expenditure Of
about $4,000.
Tho establishment of an institution for
the colored deaf, dumb and blind Is adj
ylsed Attention IL called to tho re-
missioner OF hospitals. The institution
OF board Of charity and correction is
recommended
The Governor favors the improvement
o. the Capitol, and thinks wings ought
to Le added to tho present building, ii
accordance with plans which have beer
submitted.
He suggests that the subject OF public
Highways receive earnest attention, ant
: thinks our increased revenue viii justif,
US In making appropriations for the in
auguration of a system, which Will brint
y untold material aid and vast benefits t
tho State"
He considers it very desirable tina
Y Virginia should have a complete rosie
a@ of all her soldiers and officers who par
VIZ tlcipated in Nne war between the States
bu. is persuaded that there cannot be
proper compilation under the act o
Congress "unless the State provides tn
means and person TO cooperate wit
the department at Washington"
The Governors message will be widel
read; 1t Is brief and business-lilsc, an
discusses subjects Of much moment, II
3 Is outspoken In behalf of honest cleo
IA items as We have said, and favors tn
primary election system and urges
primary election Law. The recommer
dalton he makes as to the sinking fun
seems to be Judlcicus and REASONABLE
and his report Of the finances OF II
State is cheering. 1t justlfies the hoI
that Virginia not only will be able
4. give holp to a new system OF road BULL
55 Ing. but will have the means TO fir
X proof the State Capitol and add to
Is wings which will give the increase