Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
IN THE OLD DOMINION
SWANSoN'S LETTER TO LEG
ISLATURE-HEALTH LAWS.

RICHMOND. Va, December 21.-Gov.
Swanson is practically through with his
message to the general assembly, except
perhaps he is still touching it up at
some points In which he may have used
an expression that does not exactly suit
him. The message will be lengthy and
Will cover wide range Of subjects The
governor says that he will have copies
ready for the press several days before
the paper is presented to the general as
sembly, but it will not be printed till the
actual reading is begun. The governor
will make many recommendations to the
legislature and it is believed that among
the subjects which he will treat at great
length are two-the schools of the state
and the public highways.
Gov Swanson is taking the liveliest in
terest in the matter of building good
roads at all costs. 1t Is understood that
he will recommend that the general as
sembly amend the present road laws SO
that the state will have to make an appro-
priation to each county for road improve
ments, the work to be done by the state
and by the counties jointly. This will re-
Quire a very large appropriation on the
part of the state and may result in each
of the counties having to issue bonds with
which to take care of it's part of the gen.
eral improvement. Then, too, there is
the question of compelling all men who
are sentenced to prison for term Of five
years or less to be sent to the roads
There are some 1900 men in the state
penitentiary and the same number in the
jails of the state. The general assembly
Is to be asked to put all the men on the
roads instead OF letting them stay in the
Jails for months awaiting trial, and if
they shall be acquitted let the state or
the county pay them for work done on
the road at stipulated amount.
More Money for Schools.
The state will have at the end OF the
year an amount Of money that it has
not had for q long time. There will be
credit of the state after all the expenses
are paid. This will receive attention at
the hands Of the general assembly. for all
the colleges and the public schools will
demand that they be given an additional
sum. The several state hospitals will ask
insane will modestly request the sum OF
$500 ZOO for new buildings to >accommo-
date the increasing number of patients.
The state board of education will ask for
more money with which to improve the
school system of the state and to provide
at least one more normal school--either at
Winchester. Harrisonburg or Manassas
Gap. In addition to this, there will be a
demand for an epileptic colony and also
for school for the negro deaf, dumb and
blind.
There are twenty nine circuit judges IN
the state at this time, ..ley tahing the
places OF the old county court judiciary
system. The number was raised from
twenty-five to twenty-nine at the last
session of the lesisla ture. and this session
there is to be an effort to still further
increase the number by the creation of at
least FIVE new circuits. This Is due to the
enormous growth of business. all the
courts being crowded with business, with
few exceptions. giving the Judges little
time for the consideration of law ques-
tons when they are presented.
Another matter that will receive con-
sideration at the hands of the legislature
will be the proposition Of the Anti-Saloon
League to still further restrict the sale
of liquor. The league has plans formu-
lated for a campaign, wil.ch in case there
is no compliance on the part of the law
makers. will pnecipitate the state IN q
prohibition fight that will be marked for
Its bitterness and aligning of the parties
in a way that will have a result that will
surprise the voters and the politicians.
Health Laws and the Doctors.
The question of amending tn. health
laws Of the state in many particulars
will be presented by the state board of
q L..