Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-09

terms OF imprisonment for which con.
victs can be sentenced 10 the public
roads should DE increased; effective
measures should be enacted for OBJ
tanning the prisoners In the jais To
work on the roads. maxim cat the
same just provision for the jailers.
whose compensation would DO greatly
reduced and reasonable sum of
money should be appropriated for the
purchase OF road machinery and the
operation of Quarries In the discretion
or tho Highway Commissioner.
These amendments would greatly
add to the efficiency OF the present
law and also extend It's benefits. But
this should not be the limit of State
aid. Our abundant revenues Justify n
liberal annual appropriation to relieve
the present deplorable condition OF
our highways. recommend that the
state annually appropriate $3.50 900
Tor road Improvement and construc-
ton. AS our revenues increase In the
future. this annual amount could also
be Increased. Our present receipts
are amply sufficient to justify this
annual expenditure for this purpose.
recommend that this amount should
be used first to pay tho expenses OF
the Highway Commissioner and the
operation OF the State road force. and
That the residue be divided among the
counties in proportion to the taxes
paid by the respective counties into
the State treasury. charging 10 each
county the expense incurred in the
county for working the convict road
force prior to the date fixed for dis.
tribution. The appropriation should
be available only to those counties or
communities in the counties, which
VIII, In addition to the road tax now
paid raise an amount ut least equal
to that appropriated by the State. The
Joint fund thus appropriated, should
be used In the improvement or con-
struction of roads selected by the con-
currence of the Highway Commits.
sioner and local authorities, the road
when selected to be improved or con,
structed according to the plans and
specifications of the Highway Com
missioner and under his direction.
Such measure would In tust 10
every section OF the State. since It's
benefits would be distributed equally
and fairly to all. The money appro.
priated would be wisely spent under
the direction of competent ensineers
Every section OF the State would soon
have model road as an object lesson
10 encourage further Improvement.
The amount appropriated by tho state
would be great stimulant, give an
immediate Impetus to road improve
ment and the sums contributed by the
counties and local communities would
lar exceed the aid given by the State.
ms mas been the experience OF the
present convict road law and the an
preparation for high schools, both con-
aitioned on local aid. hope this
General Assembly will make itself
marked by inaugurating broad sys.
TEN or permanent and substantial
state aid to public roads and high
ways and thus add immeasurably to
Virginias material wealth and pro-
gress. In a few years the taxes re-
ceiVed from increased values will far
exceed the expenditures thus made.
All reasonable and practical measures
lending to the Accomplishment OF this
purpose shall have my most cordial
approval
Public Schools And Education.
within the last two years Virginia
mas made q phenomenal advance in
ner public schools and education. The
awakening has been amazing and tho
results achieved are wonderful. To-
cal taxes have been increased. school
terms heightened; pay Of teachers ad
vanced; and the attendance OF pupIls
IN the improved schools Is far greater
than ever before. Within two years
Az splendid new schoolhouses have
Deen built, costing s1.136,701. Within
the last year, 149 new high schools
nave been organized and are doing
great educational work. More sum.
mer normal schools have been held.
with larger attendance and more hem
ehcial results than previously. Apathy
has been supplanted by enthusiasm
and the educational skies OF Virginia
are bright with hope.
FOR this great progress, too much
credit cannot be given to the officers
and teachers of the State. who have
mad the control and administration of
school affairs. They have been ac-
i've, earnest, and energetic. perform
ing their work courageously and faith
iully. But these officials would have
been powerless to achieve these great
results except for the generous and eff
iective aid rendered by the last Cen
eral Assembly. That Assembly did
more to promote public education in
this State and passed more beneficial
legislation for the public schools than
mad been enacted in the previous de-
cade. That Assembly greatly in.
creased the aid given primary schools
and appropriated for educational pur
poses $S90,000, in addition to the reg
uiar State constitutional fund; it pro
vided for summer institutes for teach
ers; it permitted the issuing of bonds
TO build schoolhouses; and 1t con
tinued the State Board OF Examiners
and Ingnantarc