The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-05
AWAIT The MESSAGE
Many New Members i'll the
Virginia Assembly.
OLD CHARACTERS ARE MISSING
Second Time in History of State that
Entire Body Is Elected 81 once.
Legislature VIII BE Besieged with
Applications for Money Surplus
VIII Soon Disappear.

Richmond, Va. Jan. 4.-The general as
sembly of Virginia will convene in bien-
mel session in this city at noon on We'd
nesday. This will be the second time
within the history of the State when all
the members of both branches come as
new members. Many Of the old charac-
ters in the two branches are missing this
year. several have gone down In defeat
for reasons which appeared satisfactory
to their constituents.
There are many officers 10 be chosen
by the joint caucus, among them, and
the most important. being the presiding
officer of the house. This honor viii IN
questionably fall to Richard Evelyn Byrd.
of Winchester, the Winchester members
having already more than enough votes
promised him 70 insure his election John
W. Williams. the present clerk, will be
retained. In the senate the election Of
a clerk is the one engrossing contest
There are two candidates-Thomas A.
Lynch, the present clerk, and Marshall
E. Booker. Of Halifax. a former member
Of the house. Both gentlemen claim that
their election is assured.
Message Is Ready.
The reading OF the governors message
will be the first real business TO be con-
sidered after the two houses have organ
lied The message has been printed. and
will be ready for distribution the moment
the clerks begin the reading The mes
sage is one OF the briefest any executive
has presented to the legislature on its
converting. 1t contains only about six
thousand words.
The governor has. however. omitted
mention OF nothing that might seem to
demand attention at the hands Of the
legislature. The message will contain
many striking recommendations, espe-
cialiy as regards the employment OF con
viets on the public roads. the care OF
the insane and the payment OF the public
debt It is not known whether or not
Gov. Swanson will follow the precedent
set by his predecessor, Gov. Montague
and appear in person and personally read
/ his message.
The general assembly will De beseiged
/ by applications for money for all the in
stitutions dependent on the State for sup
/ port There is surplus of Sl.250.0o0 II
/ the treasury, and there are demands al
ready on file for twice that sum, Ia add
/ ton to the appropriations already made
and existing for the respective institu
/ tions. All educational institutions IN ths
State are asking for an increase IN appro
/ priation for their support
Income Tax TO Come Up.
Another question that viii demand at
tention win be a proposition to increas'
! the exemption from the income tax from
$500 per annum to $l.O0O or 81 200 The Law
as it exists is not being observed to AM
/ considerable extent, the majority of th'
! taxpayers managing always not to se'
| that clause on the lists submitted TO then
+ by the commissioner of revenue.
/ 1t is said that the law works hardship
/ on a great many people, especially sine
! the recent enormous increase in the prices
/ Of the necessities of life. 1t is believed
that more people would comply with tn
/ law. and that the State would receiv,
/ larger revenues from this source, il ID,
! suggested amendment is enacted into
/ law.