Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-09
GOV. SWANSON'S MESSAGE
Chief Executive in His Communication 10
Legislature Asks for Better Roads and
improved Educational Facilities
9 q surplus In tho treasury of ST..

$40. 002.60.
| But fair share OF our revenue |.
derived from licenses, from taxes OIL
various businesses. and faom the
gross receipts OF railroads. and there
may be some dminution OF receipts
from these sources, on account of ths
present business depression. In max.
ing appropriations, the General As
semhy should take this into consid
Grafton and leave substantial mar
gin to meet such possible decrease
BESIDES. II Is always wise to have IN
the treasury fair working balance
to meet unexpected accidents and
misfortunes. This Is prudent alike fol
| individuals and states. It not only
furnishes security against future con
| tingencies but adds to ones credit
and prestige. and deficit is a curse
to be avoided as much by states as By
individuals.
Necessity for Economy and Firmnees
Because the resources OF our treas.
ury are abundant, there Is no occasion
for reckless expenditure, wasteful ex.
travagance. or doubtful appropria-
tons. States, like individuals, in time
of prosperity must exercise caution
and prudence, else they will under.
take ventures which bring bankruptcy
and disaster. wish to impress upon
you the necessity for strict economy
and the utmost care In the expendl-
ture of public money. A plethoric
treasury invariably excites the schem-
ing and greedy: and rigorous scrutiny
and the utmost firmness are required
tn 0
mands. This surplus should not be
squandered by weakly yielding to the
DOUBTFUL claims of the clamorous; but
should be used to further the pro-
gressivo policy of Improvement and
betterment inaugurated by the last
General Assembly. If this should be
done, the present General Assembly.
like its predecessor, will become not
ed in the annals OF the State for its
wisdom and patriotism in enacting
measures promotive OF the States
moral. educational, and material ad-
vancement.
Should Pay More On Public Debt.
IA portion OF our annual surplus
should be used to further reduce our
bonded indebtedness. A wise debtor,
In the times of plenty. prepares for
an extinguishment OF a part OF his
outstanding obligations. The General
Assembly OF 1906 has become Justly
famous for having started this State.
after years Of travail and distress,
safely upon the pathway that leads
to the extinguishment of the public
debt. The first act had the honor
to sign as Governor, was one appro-
priatlng $4,000 annually, which, ad-
ded to the $4,000 then received from
the States holdings in the r. F.. and
P. railroad. was to be used by the
Commissioners OF the Sinking Fund In
the purchase or redemption of State
bonds.
THE act settling our States debt
provided that. commencing in 1910
and continuing until 1890, about this
amount should be appropriated annu.
ally for this purpose. The Assembly
of 1906 wisely anticipated these re-
quirements. recommend that this
General Assembly appropriate annual
ly out of the surplus the $4,000 re-
quired for the extingulshment of our
public debt according to the terms of
settlement and that the dividends re-
ceived from our holdings In the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad also be devoted to this pur-
pose. To do this will only require an
additional annual appropriation of
$4,000. strongly urge this. Our
revenues are amply sufficient to do
this without impairing our ability to
provide properly for the many inter
ests and needs Of the State. After
making this wise and prudent provi-
sion for the annual reduction of our
bonded Indebtedness and for a safe
working balance In the treasury. the
residue of our surplus should be used
for the progress. improvement, and
betterment OF the State.
Public Roads and Highways.
The time is now opportune for the
State to commence a conservative and
continuous system of improvement oil
the public roads. The material pros
perity of the city and country alike
demand this. Public roads cannot be
constructed or improved by pleasing
plautudes or eloquent declamations
Large expenditure of money and labor
Is required To thoughtful person
It is evident that the larger part o
this must be furnished by the countie.
and local communities affected. Blu
travel and transportation upon tn,
public highways have ceased to be en-
(, tireiy local and have become State
and National in extent and import
ance. Over many of the roads tn,
through travel and transportation ex
coed the Immediately local. 1t Ia I'm
reasonable 10 expect that the local
communities can alone construct OF
keep In proper repair such roads.
las the travel and transportation
over the public roads are local. State
and National. it is but right that tn
burden OF furnishing the means and
facilities for this should also be born
by the local. State, and National gov
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