Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-09
GOV. SWANSON'S MESSAGE

lIOOpS.
State Hospitals for the Insane.
Il wish TO call your attention to the
necessity for larger appropriation
for the maintenance OF the asylums
and hospitals The increased number
of patients and the higher prices
that have TO be paid for food. cloth.
ing. and labor require n substantial
increase OF the annual appropriation
If the patients are to be properly fed.
Clothed, and cared for.
These unfortunate people have no
influential friends to remain during
the sessions of the General Assembly
TO press persistently their claims but
we should not fail to remember that
no dependents of the State are more
deserving of liberal and generous aid.
Parsimony should never prevail in
these institutions. A State. like an
individual, ennobles and glorities il.
self by generosity to the unfortunate
and the helpless.
"The next most pressing need of
these institutions is the building of a
separate colony for the epileptic ma.
TENTS The segrcgating of the cpl.
ieptic inmates from the others Is de.
manded alike bv science and sense
of humanity. Each class is unfavor.
ably affected by the presence of the
other 1t Is almost inhuman to COM
pei the nervous and insane daily to
witness the commissions of the chi.
ieptics. A well and strong person
would In time be seriously affected
by such daily contact. The building
of separate hospital for these would
occasion no additional expense to the
state. Unless the epileptics are tax.
en- from the present hospitals and nut
In separate one. the State will be
compelled to appropriate at this ses-
sion money TO construct buildings to
accommodate the yearly increase of
patients. II the epileptics are cared
Tor in new and separate hospital.
the accommodations at the present
hospitals will be sufficient for many
years TO accommodate the insane.
These present institutions for the
insane are in need OF additional funds
for repairs and the construction OF
new buildings.
Examination of State Banks.
I'm my inaugural address / urged
the creation of department of bank
ing. and the enactment of additional
Legislation controlling the operation
of State banks. and providing for their
frequent examination. | strongly re-
new this recommendation. Since the
last session of the General Assembly
the people of Virginia have sustained
large losses by failures of State banks,
which would have been prevented by
such legislation.
THE State banks of Virginia had on
deposit the 22nd of August. 1907. $49,-
131,750.00. These banks. chartered
by Virginia. having on deposit and
thus holding in trust this vast sum
or money belonging to the people,
should be subjected to laws continuing
their operations within safe and con-
servative limits. and should be reg,i-
larry examined by capable and honest
officials so as to ascertain whether
or not they are solvent, whether their
capital is impaired. and whether the
laws controlling them are obeyed.
Banks that are solvent and properly
run should not Object 10 this. Those
that arc not should have this inspec-
ton forced upon them, whether they
desire it or not.
But the laws governing State
banks should not in some respects be
as rigorous as. nor similar to, those
enacted by the Federal Government
for the control of National banks.
State banks occupy many fields of
usefulness, perform much good SER
vice and extend accommodation to a
large class of good and solvent Gus.
toners debarred under the Federal
system Legislation upon this matter
should not be longer delayed. Safe
and sensible banking can best be Sc
cured by reasonable restrictions and
thorough investigation.
Virginia Volunteers.
81 wish to call your attention to the
necessity of a larger appropriation for
the support of the Virginia volun.
teers. The average amount received
from the State annually has not OK.
ceeded $4,000. There is scarcely q
State in the Union that makes SO
small an appropriation for this pur.
pose. The Virginia military has been
able to survive and keep it's great eff
cheney, not l,y any State aid extend
ed, but by its indomitable spirit OF
patriotism and pride. The amount
given is grossly inadequate to NEE.
the legitimate and necessary needs.
THE military has rendered invalu
able service to the State in keeping
the peace, suppressing riots, and Civ
ing protection to person and property
No State can afford not TO possess q
sufficient and efficient military. The
officers and men of the Virginia vol
unteers not only serve the State al
great sacrifice of time and business
but are compelled to pay many neces
sary expenses out of their own per
sonal funds. Virginia is able to make
ample provision for her military, ana