Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-13
Continued from FRS. Page)

our country, during the last two
years, have suffered from financial de-
preston and distress, yet within this
State such conditions have not pre-
vailed. This is clearly evinced by the
fact that the States revenues during
the last two years have exceeded
those of the two previous years by
S9l6,e90IO. AS there has been prac-
tically no increase in the rate of tax
alton, this greatly increased revenue
could only have been derived from
increased business activity and enter
PRISE.
Retiring State Debt.
Though not required until
this year, under the terms of her set
Element, To retire any part CT the
principal of her indebtedness. she has
wisely purchased S4,s3S, O6511 of this
principal; thus more than one-sixth Of
the debt has been cancelled. Though
we have thus largely and for many
years anticipated the requirements or
our sinking fund provisions. yet
earnestly recommend that the pres
ent prudent and wise policy Of re-
firing our State debt be continued
without interruption. 1t enhances not
only the credit of the State but also
that OF cities, counties and individ
uals. Besides, the best investment a
State or an individual can make OF
surplus revenue is in their own in
debtedness. Experience has shown
that it is such surplus that is never
squanGered.
while the revenues OF the State
have been greatly augmented in re-
cent years by its great growth and
progress, and the rising tide of great
err prosperity indicates for the future
greater increase. yet wish to urge
upon the general assembly the neces
sity of the utmost care and the strict
est economy in the expenditure of
public money. There should always
remain in the treasury a reasonably
safe working balance, so that all the
obligations of the State can be proper
ly met
- The present revenues OF
the State are amply sufficient, II
economically expended and fairly dis
tributed. 1t should be remembered
that it takes as much effort to mark
time as it does to march. 1t will be
as difficult for the State to remain
stationary as it will be to further ad-
vance.
The health department, the board
of charities and corrections, the dairy
department, the geological survey, the
many new aids extended to agricul
ture and labor. should be continued,
and, as far as the revenues of the
State will permit, the assistance ex
tended to many of these should be in
creased. The results accomplished
have been most beneficial and graft
flying. The new governmental work
begun in these has been executed
with skill, industry, faithfulness and
economy. The limitations necessarily
imposed upon the length of this mes
sage precludes me reciting extensive
ly or in detail the splendid work done
by these different new Departments. u
commend to your consideration their
reports, and the benefits achieved
therein disclosed with fully vindicate
the wisdom OF their creation.
Public Education.
Our system of public education
should be continuously invigorated,
enlarged and improved. Our primary
schools should have yearly and
progressive betterment Our rural
high schools should be increased I'M
til the people of every community can
receive their advantages. The new
agricultural and manual training
schools. the new normal training
schools, the summer normal schools,
and the travelling Libraries begun
should be continued and further en-
larged IN their scope and usefulness.
The new female normal school
created at Harrisonburg. which open
cd this autumn under such hattering
auspices and with such brilliant prom
scc -n- tho frrfsrro Should racofve do
served aid The new one now under
CONSTRUCTION at Fredericksburg should
receive equal consideration and be
properly developed. No expenditure
Of public money brings greater bene-
fits TO the stats than tina; given to
equip teachers for the primary and
high schools. The success of every
educational system begins and ends