Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-01-12
Governor Swanson's Message.

Richmond, Jan. 12.-G5yerhor swan
son sent bis lsst message 10 the legis'
lAture when that body convened today.
10 his Introductory paragraph the gov
ernor says:
"The last two General Assemblies
have been noted for the many progres'
sive policies inaugursted. These ex'
tended through q vide range OF govern.
mental Effort aud development. The re.
suits achieved have fully viudlcsted The
wisdom of these policiss and amply justi'
fed the expenditure OF public money
made. The amsziog educational sd'
vance; tbs splendid public school build.
logs now sdornipg every section; the TO-
creased health and comfort Of the people
he great Improvement 10 agriculture and
the varied industries OF the state; the To-
creased efficiency OF The state militia; the
marked improvement 10 the condition o.
iails, slmshouses and other eleemosypary
Iiustita!ilDs; the greatly increased value
Of ell properties, bear testimony to the
stimulating influence of these Wise actt
OF legislation and OF the great and mani
fold senefts they have bIongh'. While
other paris OF our country, duriug tht
last two year., have suffered from fnan'
cial depression and distress, yet within
this state such conditions have not
prevailed. This Is clearly evinced BY
be fact that the states revenues during
the lsst two years have exceeded those
Of the Two previous years by 1910, $50. 10.
As there has been practically no increase
10 the rate OF taxation, this greatly 10.
creased revenue could only have beer
derived from increased business activity
and enterprise. Eloquentiy and eOn.
clusively this proclsims the material pro-
gsess and prosperity of the state. Though
cot reqoired until this year, under the
terms OF her settlement, to retire any
part Of the principal OF Der Indebtedness,
she has wisely purchased 81. 1873, O65. II
Of this principal; thus moro than one.
sixth OF the debt has been cancelled. "
The governor reviews the public school
system, road improvements, ETC., and
feneEs some former recommendation
and urges the continuance OF such Sys'
TENS as have proven satisfactory
to The people Of the commonwealth
He sgain recommends the enactment
Of laws providing for the examination
and regulation Of state banks, urges the
equalization of taxation, a we'll equipped
state accounting department and makes
certsin recommendation fur the further
development Of agriculture 10 thl Old
Dominion. He also favors sgr'eul!aral
schools,
The governor recommends the imposi
.ios OF a reasonable annual license tai
upon automobiles operating In this state.
de believes the present license tax OF t@c
dollars for each automobile is not 40
uual but perpetual, and 1t Is grossly
inadequate. 1t scarcely meets the ex
peuses incurred 10 the execution OF tbs
law, He says a fair license tax ShoulC
be imposed and the amUunt collected
be devoted TO road improvement, unde
Just and equitable system.
The remainder OF the message con
sists of practical suggestions coucerninI
all departments OF the state government
All the governors recommendation
show careful and thoughtful consideration
and reflection, all Of which he believe
would be promotive OF The best interes
OF the state and largely contribute to be
continued material, educational an
moral advance.