Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-01-08
TOday's TelegFaphic News.
0oYernor,s Message.

Richm ond, Jan. S.-Gosernor Swsn-
son sent his message to the Legislature
today, and transmitted the reports from
the officials of the different departments
of the State government. He says:
The financial slfsi1s Of the State sre
most favorable, and have surpassed the
expectations OF the most sanguine. The
report of The auditor of public accounts
shows that on the lst of October, Of this
year, there was surplus in the Treas
ury Of 1894, 7l6 %. From this must be
deducted S6S, l42. 80 the smount los. BY
deposits in 1882 in the Planters aud
Mechanics Bank Of Petersburg, which
though still carried on the books Is
worthless account. This makes the
real surplus in the Treasury as OF
that date, 1926, 1892. The auditor
estimates the receipts of the State
Treasury for next year, based upon
the present tar laws and assest-
ments, at 81, 937, 55S.51. He estimates
the ordinary annual expenses OF the
State, based upon the appropriations for
the year 1907, at 81, 29l, S39.H. But
ne fails to include in this estimate OF
expenses The $4,000, which the gen.
eraI assembly of 1906 directed to be paid
annually to he sinking fund commits
sioners, which, added to the dividends
from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomsc Railroad Company, would meet
the requirements for the retirement OF
our Indebtedness rs provided in the act
of settlement. Adding this to the es-
timated annual expenses, it would MAKE
81, 365, 1871. SubIrsciing these esti-
mated expenses from the estimated re-
ceipts, there would be left an annual
surplus of receipts over expenditures OF
$57I,7l4.34 1t is estimated that II there
ia no change 10 the revenue laws, the
receipts for the year following will be
practically the same. Thus, it is esti-
mated that if the expenditures for the
next two years should not exceed an
nually those of 1907, on Octobsr l,
1909, there would be surplus in the
Treasury of$1, $40, 002.60
The Governor recommends economy
and carefulness in expenditures, sug-
Resis that portion Of the annual sur
plus be devoted toward reducing the
bonded Indebtedness Of the Common
weslib; advocates The inauguration OF
system of Improvement of public rosds;
directs attention to the improved con-
ditions Of public schools and education
sud makes certain recommendations for
the further enhancement of the same;
speaks in commendatory terms OF the
Board of Health; suggests, SIS the number
of ex-Confederaies is decreasing, that
the State increase pensions TO the sur
yiyors; recommends monument to Con-
federate soldiers on the battlefield oil
Gettysburg; larger appropriations for
State hospitals for the insane; urges the
formation of a department of banking
for controlling the operations OF State
banks and frequent examinations OF the
same; large appropriations for The sup
port Of Virginia volunteers; frequent
examinations Of jsils and prisons; recon-
mends that State farm should he used
for agricultural experiment purposes;
suggests the preservation of the mineral
and timber exhibit at the jamestown
Exposition; commends the work CT the
Bureau OF Labor and Industrial Ststis-
tics; suggests certain amendments to the
uws respecting the duties and powers
of the Commissioner of Agriculture and
Immigration and OF the Bosrd of Agri-
culture. The Governor closes with
review Of tbs fish and oyster Industry
nd niher matters.