Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-01-19
1HE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

read to the West Virginia Legislature
last week, is an able and comprehen-
sive document and treats of great
variety of subjects. The Governor
proudly refers to the notable growth
and development of our State during
the past two years and the wonderful
increase in every department OF our
industrial life and the opening up OF
our rich resources.
Our financial condition is good. Our
public institutions and the depart
ments of State government have been
managed with fidelity and efficiency,
We have no State debt. There is an
actual surplus of $250,000 on hand.
The state of our finances as shown by
the books on December 81, 1904, Is
as follows:
State Fund. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" 10 2So' IA
General School Fund. 226, v2l.IZ
School Fund, uninvested.. o,40I ~
School Fund, invested...... l,O3O, 10000
Grand total invested and
cash balance........... 81, Az, o27.25
Referring to the new tax laws, the
Governor says that while they may
not be perfect, the principles under.
lying them are economically sound.
Supplementary legislation is needed.
He-recommends that all State taxes
be abolished, and recommends an
amendment to the Constitution pro-
viding for this.
A term limit Of four years for no.
taries public is recommended, with a
fee of Elk dollars.
The Governor recommends that a
tax of one per cent be levied on the
gross receipts of oil pipe lines and
railroads, and fair tax on the vari-
GUS coal mines operating in the State.
An amendment requiring all bal
lots to be secret is advocated, and the
passage of a registration law is ad:
vised. Our present election laws
need thorough revision, and primary
elections should come under more
efficient supervision.
Among the other measures adyo-
Gated are the foil owing
The appointment of a State print
ing commission.
A law to empower the Governor
to remove sheriffs from Office in coun-
ties where lynchings occur.
A more efficient compulsory edu.
cation law; a minimum six months
term OF school increased salaries for
teachers of public schools.
The Governor renews his recon-
meEdation that four of the normal
schools and the two preparatory
branches of the State University be
abolished, and that high schools for
each county be established.
The deaf and blind school at Rom
ney should be separated into school
for each, one of which should be To-
Gated in a larger city. The blind
school should be taken to another
place because of RomneYs disadvan-
tages for such home.
Stringent legislation concerning the
sale of cocaine and other "dope"
should be enacted.
The passage Of pure food law.
The passage of fellow-ssrvant law.
An appropriation Of $4,000 for
improvements to the State capitol
building.
Legislation in respect to newspape
publications, requiring that financial
and other statements should be pub
lished in two nc wspapers in each coun-
ty, of opposite politics.
Providing for State insurance
commissioner.
Regulating the evils of professional
lobbyism, by requiring every person
interested in pending legislation, or
who approaches members Of the Leg
islature in regard to the same, to be
registered.
Referring to the Virginia debt qnes-
ton, the Governor says: West Vir-
ginia has repeatedly declared that she
owes no part of the old Virginia debt,
and the necessary steps to maintain
her position will be promptly taken
should the occasion arise.
The Governor is strenuously OPP
posed to the Jim Crow" car law.
The Governor thinks there ought
to be a number of changes and I'M
proVements in the laws relating to
railroads, and advocates the creation
Of railroad commission.
The various State institutions should
be treated literally.
Legislation for the preservation of
our forests should be enacted.
The proposition to reduce the mum,
Der of State bank repositories to 20
is endorsed, with tie Recommendation
that State banks be favored rather
than national banks.
The distributaole school fund for
the past year was the largest in the
history Of the State.
A revision of the Dawson corpora
ton law is favored to prevent loss of
revenue occasioned by the more liber-
al laws of other states.