Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-01-10
GOVERNORS
MESSAGE.
Able Paper transmitted
to General Assembly
by Governor Swanson.
VARIOUS MATTERS TREATED OF.

| ON'SAhVA OWaiSOh OH w SuneSudy
sent to the Virginia Legislature his
message that will be acclaimed for at
least two features-brevity and
thorough scope. Every public and inn
portant interest was handled in his driv-
ing, convincing and lucid style. The
points of chief interest to the CITIZEN S
readers are summarized as follows:
Active and personal examination of
all State institutions, keeping in close
touch and requiring frequent reports.
As result he says: 81 am pleased to be
able to inform you that the State de-
partments and institutions are free OF
scandal, corruption and ineficiency.
Whenever any suspicion of the existence
OF any of these conditions has arisen,
the authorities have promptly and thor
oughly investigated and fearlessly elm
mated the evil. I am convinced
that there exist nowhere q more honest
and conscientious body of public officials
than those who administer the affairs
of our State departments and institu-
tons. wish to bear testimony to the
faithfulness and efficiency of these pub
lie servants who have made the State
government of Virginia a model of
cleanliness, honesty, and economy"
The surplus in the State treasury is
$726,5 The estimated surplus for
the next two years is 81, $40, goo. Com
menting upon expenditures, and the
wise use of public moneys the Cover
ernor warns against extravaganza.
Because the resources of our treasury
are abundant, " says he, there is no oc-
caslon for reckless expenditure, waste
tul extravaganza, or doubtful appropri-
atoms. States. like individuals, in time
OF prosperity must exercise caution and
prudence, else they will undertake ven
lures which bring bankruptcy and dis
aster. l wish to impress upon YOU the
necessity for strict economy and the
utmost care in the expenditure of pub
lie money. A plethoric treasury inva-
rlably excites the scheming and greedy.
and rlgorus scrutiny and the utmost
hrmness are required to protect it from
their lnsistent demands. This surplus
should not be squandered by weakly
yielding to the doubtful claims of the
clamorous, but should be used to further
the progressive policy of improvement
and betterment inaugurated by the last
General Assembly,
With this caution, he sets forth the
needs of ample appropriation as follows:
Certain means for reducing our State
debt.
S25O,OOO for roads, giving to counties
proportionate to the amount turned in
by their taxes and conditioned upon the
counties appropriatinga similar amount.
The marked strides in schools, as in
roads, is noted. Within two years. 412
splendid new schoolhouses have been
built, costing 81, 196, 70l. Within the
last year, 149 new high schools have
been organized and are doing great edu-
cational work. More summer normal
schools have been held, with larger at
tendance and more beneficial results.
than previously. He urges greater APP
preparations and redoubled energy.
The health of the people receives
weighty consideration. He advises
greater scope to the Board of Health's
powers; greatest care in sanitary affairs
and particular attention to the pollution
of streams.
Urges more liberal aid and increased
appropriation for the few survivors of
the Confederacy ard their widows.
The asylums and elemosynary insti-
tutlons come in for liberal treatment.
"Parsimony should never prevail in
these institutions. A State. like an in
dividial, ennobles and glorifes itself by
generosity to the unfortunate and the
helpless
| The Virginia volunteer service is COM
plimented and commended to the care
ful consideration of the Legislature.
both humanity and good administra-
ton demand that the jails, prisons, and
State reformatories should be frequently
and thoroughly examined by capable
and efficient State officer. 1t should he
seen that the buildings are clean and
sanitary; that the prisoners receive
proper treatment; are properly clothed
and are fed on sufficient and wholesome
food. Some of the jails are unfit for
occupation and are pest-houses for the
spread of contagious diseases"
FISH AND OYSTERS.
The Governor touches on the most
important interest to Tidewater in a
generous manner:
1.-The people of the State, and especi-
ally those of Tidewater, have a valuable
asset in their water bottoms. The fish
and oyster interests, have, in the past
year, brought in to the State direct
revenue of. 800, 600 Through an ex-
penditure of less than one-third of that
sum-, not including the taxable values
and material wealth resulting indirectly
therefrom. 1t may possibly be we'll to
consider the wisdom of the suggestion
that the entire direct revenue. or a
large portion thereof, collected through
the States oyster officials, should. for
few years at least, be expended in
protecting and fostering these indus
tries. The present appropriation is
inadequate to meet the demands of this
growing interest. If properly protected
and wisely administered, our fisheries
would far surpass those of all other
States and become a great source of
wealth, and a revenue producer of inn