Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-09
E;AS GR.se..sts,s. ], ,i''4sssNiE8;gS

tnebbaBe 10 the legislature In FULL.
40 the General Assembly of Virginia
The Constitution imposes upon
tho, governor q share In your delibera
lions. since 1t directs that he shall
communicate to the General Assem-
bly,. Mt every session, the condition OF
the State: and recommend to its con
alteration such measures as he may
deem eHpedient." He is made part
or the legislative power of the State
ana shares with you the responsible
.ty of legislation. as all measures
passed by YOU must be submitted to
him for approval or disapproval.
Tho organic law having created
this condition of mutual helpfulness
the>best interests of the State demand
that there should exist between you
and9HiSIEhe utmost courtesy. conf.
dence. and candor. The hest results
OF legislation, tho best administration
OF government, are obtained when the
legislative and executive departments
cordially cooperate. Convinced that
ouch close relations are necessary to
enable you and me fully to discharge
Z our important duties, shall strive
earnestly for their creation and con.
tinuance. / extend to each OF you my
anu tsOOU WlluOul re-
servet or qualification. and pledge you
my full power in the furtherance OF
measnres promotive of the public
. Stood! II bespeak for myself your aid,
confidence. and counsel.
- ofilcere and Reports.
with this message. l transmit to
you the reports from the officials of
every department and every inatitu-
tion Of the State. These carefully
Prepared reports. containing full de-
tails; facts, figures, and recommends
fi1rs are worthy of thorough exami-
nation and should bo considered in
T ffaming legislation appettainne to the
various departments and institutions
ssInpring my incumbency. exercising
he constitutional power given me. /
have. directed many of the State in.
ghtutions to make to ME quarterly
Exports. This has been productive OF
mpeh good. propose to extend the
requirements to others. The Constl-
tuition provides that 1.-THE Governor
may require information In writing,
: -aEder OATH from the officers of the
Executive Department and superin-
tendents Of State institutions upon
aay subject relating to the duties of
their respective offices and institu-
lions: and he may inspect at any time
their < Official hooks. accounts, and
vouchers. and ascertain the condition
OF the public funds In their charge,
and In that connection may employ
accountants"
4 by & granting this power TO the
Governor it was evidently contem.
plated that he should exercise super
vieion over the executive departments
and State institutions sufficient to see
that they were free from corruption
and inedlciency, and that the public
funds given them were properly and
honestly. expended. AS far as the null
ufarious duties OF my office and the
many demands made upon me would
permit, have discharged this con-
. additionally imposed task. am pleas
ed to be able to inform you that the
State departments and institutions
Z, are frae Of scandal, corruption and in
emciency. Whenever any suspicion
OF The existence of any of these con-
ditions has arisen, the authorities
nave promptly and thoroughly inves-
usated and fearlessly eliminated the
evil. After an experience of many
years In governmental service else
where. and an, acquaintance with the
work done by the State officers OF
virginia, am convinced that there
exists nowhere more honest and
conscientious body of public officials
tnan those who administer the affairs
OF our State departments and institu-
TONS. | wish to bear testimony to the
Iaithfulness and efficiency OF these
public servants who have made the
state government OF Virginia model
VI Cleanliness honesty, and economy
Tho States Finances.
The financial affhirs OF the State
are'Y most favorable, and have sur.
nassed the expectations of the most
eanguine. The report of the Auditor
OF, Public Accounts shows that on the
1Yst Of October. of this year. there was
asurpius In the treasury of ST94,716.-
2f From this must be deducted $685.
1880 the amount lost by deposits in
1889 In the Planters and Mechanics
,Dank OF Petersburg which though
stlll carried on the hooks is a worth
less account. This makes the real
5urplus In the treasury as OF that
date, $726.57392.
Inc Auditor estimates the receipts
OF the State treasury for next year,
passed upon the present tax laws and
assessments. at s4,937553.51. He es-
inmates the ordinary annual expenses
q the State. based upon the appropr!.
asiHons Tor the year, 1907, at s4.2s1..
EST. But he fails to include In this
esImhte of expenses the $4,000
Enicn the General Assembly OF 1906
lalreeted to be paid annually to the
= SINKING Fund Commissioners, which
ao1ed to the dividens from the Rich
Acna. fredericksburg and Potomac
:, .its aalE1 z Company, would meet the
.requlrements for the retirament II