The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-09


administer thes affairs OF our state depart
'nlentsIHnd Institutions. I Wish to. bear ~.
titonS to tho fattlfulncsF and efficiency ee
state government Of Virginia model Of
rlcanlincss, honesty and economy.
STie states Finances.
The financial nifnirs of tie Stntr arr most
favorable. AMI have surpassed tho eSpectl.
,gns ~ tle NOS, nanf,e IN. s fe',or, ,,a.
ION the let az October 81 this year thero
was n surplus IN the trensury OF :Ist.5ls2s.
From ihs h DC asa ~ Il liz pan
tets and Mechanics Bank Of Peterabnrs.
fs though ALL, ear s,. makes Ike eG Pix r y
surplus IN tho treasury as OF that date
The Auditor estimates the receipts Of the
state treasury for mex, year, based upon the
present tax laws and assessments. ~ Sie5l..
ssa.5i. He estimates the ordinary anntisl
e,renses Of The STATE. haaea IA upon w .a sp-
Ss97l. But l,c falls 10 include IN mn esq.,
nste or expenses the $4,000. which tue
a assss A e s s n lys' rsed eoas
era which. added 10 thc divide nds from the
nahmonI fredericksburg ard Potomac Potomac,
n.ents for.thr retirement Of orr Indebtedness
M provided In the act OF settlement. Ads
ms this TO the estimated annual sspens;es.
II would make ss,3s5.s3e7i. srbtractlrE
these estimated expenscs from the estimated
receipts. there would be left an annual sur
plus Of receipts over expenditures OF ybil,
51l34. Ii IL estimated that II there "a no
change in the revenue laws. the receipts ior
tic year following VIII be p-nrhcauY tns
name. Thus II is estimated that u ne ~, *
peIiit,ires for the next two SearE ahould not
exceed annually those of 1907. on Ocioper !.
1909 there would bc a surplus IN the treas
iury OF gi.s7O,00..G3.
Brt a fair share OF our revenue Is derifed
fiori l.ce'ses, rom tnges on rariors bust
Noses, and from the gross receipts OF rail-
ronds. ana there ma! be come tiiu.inuton Of
II
the present husiness depression. In making
appropriations the General Assembly should
take this into consideration ana leave sub
stGntiai margin to meet such possible de-
crease. BESIDES. Il is always wis. to have IA
Unexpected accidents and misfortuncs. This
- prudent alike for individuals and States.
Y rot only furnishes security against future
prestige, and deficit Is q curse to be avoided
as much by States as By individuals.
Necessity for Economy and Iirmness. i
| Because the resources of our treasury are
abundant there II no occasion for reckless
expenditure wastefui extrayagance. or doubt
fnl. appropriations stntet. like individuals.
| In time OF prosperity. must exercise caution
and prudence else they will undertake yen-
tures which bring BANKRUPTCY and disaster
| wish to impress Upon you the necessity
for strict economy and the utmost care in
tie expenditure OF public money. ~ plethoric
treasury invariably excites the schemins
and greedy: and rigorous scrutiny and the
utmost hrmness are required to protec. It
from their lnsstent demands. This surplus
should not be yqIandercd by weakly Yield.
Ink to the doubtful claims or the ciamorous:
Int should be used 70 further the progressive
policy OF Improvement and betterment inau-
guIated by .he last General Assembly. II
this should be done the present General Az
senbly. like its predecessor. will become noted
IN ne annals Of the state for its wisdom and
patriotism, In enactins measures prorio,ive
| OF the states moral. educational. and mate.
rial advancement.
Should Pay annually More on Public Debt.
4 portion u Our annual surplus should be
uscd TO further reduce our bonded inhabited
prepares Tor an exttnguishment OF part OF
his outstanding obligations. The General
assembly OF 1906 has become justly rsmous
tes having started this State. after years ..
travail and distress. safely upon the pathway
that leads 10 the ecStinguishmers OF the pub
lie debt This first ac, had the honor, 10
$4,000 annually which. added 10 .i,e $4,000
then received from the States holdings In
Railroad. was to he used by the Commission
ers OF the sinking Fund in the purchas. o.
redemption OF state bonds
The &C. sattiny our States deb. provided
tEaG commencing IN 1910 and continuing
I. until 1879. about this amount shoaid be ap.
ners, as. .nnas ssr this THO
tcese requirements. recommend that this
General Assembiy appropriate annually gu.
sstneuishment OF our public debt. accord
Ing to the terms OF settlement. and that the
risioencs received from Our holdings In tho
Railroad also be devoted 10 This purnose
~ 90 this VIII Only require an additiona.
a a, appropriation OF $4,000. strongly
urge this. orr revenues are amply auticien,
to do this without iInpa!rns our ability 70
p.oS.de properly for the many interests and
needs or the state. After making this wlse
ana prudent provision for the annual ceduc-
tioii OF our bonded Indebtedness aud for
safe working balance in the treasury. the
residue of our surplus should be used for. the
progress. Improvement and betterInent' OF the
state. - - ~
Public Roads and Highways.
The time Is now ooportune for the State
| 10 commence conservative and continuous
| s 81! OF Improvement Of the public roads.
The material prosperity OF the city and coun-
I try nike demand this. Public roads cam
no. be constructed or improved by pleasing
| rlatltudes or eloquent decamations Large
expenditure of money and labor is required.
Totn thoughtful person 1t Is evident that the
lager part OF this must be furnished by the
travel and transportation upon the public
highways have ceased to be entirely local
and have become state and national In ex-
tent and Importance. Over many OF the
roads the through travel and Transportation
exceed the Immediately local II is unrea-
sonable TO expect that the local communities
car alone construct or keep In proper repair
such roads
| Az the travel and transportat ton over the
public ii, roads are local. state aud national /.
tho mea MS AMI facilities for this should also
be borne by the local. State and national
governments. believe the proper solution
| Of the road problem In this nation will be
found In just distribution OF Federal state
and local aid an 80 ~
With the present most favorable condition
/ OF her finances. the time has arrived for the
state to do ner, share OF this work and to
give substantial annual aid to her public
roads. Tho, measures passed By the last
General Assembly. providing for the working
| OF prisoners IN jatls and Of certain cenylcts
upon the public roads have been productive
OF good results This system should be con
tinted and further enlarged. The terms OF
! I'm oninent for which convicts can be SEN
Y tcnccd To the public roads should be aincrens.
ed: eff tive ensures should be enacted for
LNTRODIJC E,I