The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-09
SWANSON TELLS NEEDS OF STATE.
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- w AlNOOIS / LID
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" urge this. Our revenues are amply
sufficient to do this without impairing
our ability to provide properly for the
many interests and needs Of the State.
After making this wise and prudent pro-
vision for the annual reduction of our
bonded Indebtedness and for a safe work
ing balance in the treasury, the residue
of our surplus should be used for the
progress, Improvement and betterment
of the State
Opportunity and the national progress
of city and country, he declares. demand
a conservative and continuous system
of Improvement OF the public roads. On
this subject he says:
AS the travel and transportation over
the public roads are local. State. and ma
tional, il is but right that the burden OF
furnishing the means and facilities for
this should also De borne by the local,
State, and national governments I be
lieye the proper solution Of the road
problem in this nation viii be found in
a just distribution Of Federal, State, and
local aid.
with the present favorable con-
dition Of her finances, the time has ar
rived for the State 70 do her share of
this work and to give substantial annual
aid TO her public roads. The measures
passed by the last general assembly. pro-
viding for the working of prisoners in
jaiis and Of certain convicts upon the
public roads have been productive OF good
results. This system should be eontin-
ued and further enlarged. The terms Of
Imprisonment for which Convicts can be
sentenced TO the public roads should be
increased; effective measures should be
enacted for obtaining the prisoners in
the jails 10 work on the roads, making
at the same Just provision for the jailers.
whose compensation would be greatly
reduced and reasonable sum OF money
should be appropriated for the purchase
of road machinery and the operation of
quaTries in the discretion Of the highway
commissioner.
Add tn Efficiency.
These amendments would greatly add
to the efficiency of the present law and
also extend its benefits But this should
not be the limit of State aid. our album
dant revenues justify a liberal annual
appropriation to relieve the present de-
plOrable condition of our highways. I
recommend that the State annually ape
propriate $4,000 for road Improvement
ana construction. As our revenues in
crease in the future, this annual amount
could also be used first to pay the ex-
penses of the highway commissioner and
the operation Of the State road force, and
that the residue be divided among the
counties in proportion 10 the taxes paid
by the respective counties into the State
treasury, charging TO each county the
expense incurred in the county for work
ing the convict road force prior to the
date fixed for distribution The appro-
priation should be available only 70
those counties, or communities in the
counties, which will. IN addition 10 the
road tax now paid, raise an amount at
least equal to that appropriated by the
State. The joint fund thus appropriated
should be used in the Improvement or
construction of roads selected by the con-
currenCe of the highway commissioner
and local authorities, the road when Sc
lected to be improved or constructed ac-
c0rding TO the plans and specifications
of the highway commissioner and under
his direction.
Within the last two years Virginia has
hade Il phenomenal advance in her pub
lie schools and education. The awaken
ing has been amazing and the results
achieved are wonderful Local taxes
have been increased, school terms length
ened, pay Of teachers advanced and the
attendance of pupils In the improved
schools is far greater than ever before
Within two years 412 splendid new
schOolhouses have been built costing
1886, 70l Within the last year 1ig new
high schools have been organized and
are doing great educational work More
summer normal schools have been held.
with larger attendance and more bene-
fetal results than previously Apathy
has been supplanted by enthusiasm. and
the educational skies of Virginia are
bright with hope" For this condition
the governor divides the credit between
the officers and teachers of the schools
and the last general assembly He rec
ommends an increased appropriation for
the primary and the high schools, and
favoTs gradual introduction of manual
training, agricultural education, and do
nestle economy in the high schools. He
would extend the educational system IN
til rural communities enjoy the same
facilities as do the cities. He
suggests attaching to appropriations for
prOmaTy schools a condition requiring
certain amount Of increased local aid be-
fore the State appropriations become eff
fective. He continues:
Loan Benefits Schools.
The act permitting the loaning out of
the literary fund, at per cent payable
in ten years. One-half of the amount nee
essary 10 construct schOolhOuse, has
been productive of unreasonable good
as the many excellent new schoolhouses
in the State viii evidence. The loans.
under this act, as previously stated, are
limited TO $500. and consist Of the funds
aecruing each year for investment I
recommend continuance of this act as
TO this fund But as the demands for
loans exceed the yearly amount. and as
many buildings are desired, costing more
than 5000 ! recommend that an act be
passed authorizing the disposal of a lin
tied amount OF the present bonds held.
and the investment of the same in loans
for the construction of schoolhouses. for
larger amounts and longer time than at
present permitted. and at rates Of inter
est yielding as much as is at present
received. No investment can be safer
than these leans under the conditions
now prescribed and a wise policy de-
mands that these funds should be thus
utilized. If this policy had been pursued
years ago, every section OF Virginia
would now be blessed with fine commo-
dious sch0olh6uses
The present appropriation for travel
ing school Libraries should be continued,