Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-02-02
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.

As stated in the Gjzette OF that day
Judge w. ii. Mann was inaugurated
governor 10 Richmond yesterday.
The Bible upon which Judge Mann
was sworn was furnished by himself and
hsd book mark which designated the
one hundred and twenty-6ith psalm.
With his hands upon the words Of the
Psslmisi, GAS the mountains are around
about jerusalem, 20 the Lord 10 round
about his people from hencefcrth and
for ever" Gov. Mann took the oath to
faithfully discharge the duties and re-
sponsioilite5 of The Office of governor.
TIE Bible used in toe qualification OF
the Lieutenant governor was The same as
that used and presented to bin four
years Ego when he first assumed his
present Office. II brought 1t with him.
G)vernsr Msun's inaugural message
to tho general assembly vas seven news
psper columns in length and conIsiued
detailed reference to s wide variety OF
matters of public interest.
Commeudiog his administration 10
the favor Of HEAVIER. be offered as he
first service to The common wealth plea
for the states tenderest care for surViS-
ipg Confederate veterans.
Familiar with every section OF the
slste, and with our present method OF
assessing aud collecting tsxes," the mes-
ssge says, 81 venture to sSy that no more
important question than the equslizs.
tion OF taxes will come before our general
assembly"
Among the governors observations
are the following:
"JOs. now the important question to
be considered Is how to sscnre a proper
and equal assessment Of property as s
bssis for tsxa,ion duriog 1911. We
ought, for The present, to adopt the best
available plan which will e0abIe Us to
accomplish this result, aud then create
tax commission, II it shall be deemed
necessary to study the system OF taxation
10 this aud other Stsles and permanently
adopt that system which promises the
best results.
"Aiter the assessment of this year,
while deprecsting, unless absolutely
necessary, the creation OF new Offices,
aud highly commencing our houoed
auditor for the admirable sdminislra
ton OF his most important Office, | think
a commissioner of taxes should be APP
pointed as q permanent officer Of the
government, charged With the duty OF
making himself familiar with every Sec
ton OF the state, It's property, resources
and interests, aud establishing 10 every
county and city basis of assessments
conforming to the requirements OF the
constitution, and also charged with the
supervision of sill officers of the govern.
ment whose dpty 1t is TO assess and col
ect taxes, and the establishment Of
uniform system of accounting through.
out the state.
II respectfully suggest TO the general
assembly the necessity for change Of the
laws controlling the cities Of the state, 20
as to simplify and make more Efficient
their government.
"The presen; system iscouceded to be
cumbersome, expensive, and 10 many
respects inefficient. The functions OF
municipal government ere much more
lsrgelyezecutise and administrative ihas
legislative. Practical experience hiss
demonstrated the difficulty, II not i'm.
possibility, Of securing effective, prompt
and economical administration of NUM-
cIpal sfairs by the means Of numerically
large councils. The experience OF many
cities OF the country seems to prove that
small governing bodies, giving prscti.
csllY all Of their time to the affairs OF
the city, with direct and easily sscer'
tanned responsibility to the people, fur.
Dish the simplest snd mcst satisfactory
form Of government.
Governor Mann concludes bis mes
sage with a review OF what temperance
legislation has already done for Virgins
under the Mann" and "Byrd" laws
and add,:
"I simply reiterate nay stesdfa't OPP
position 10 the saloon and my confidence
In the people Of Virgins, who have the
right to settle this question, as to them
she'll seem best %
He closes with an spptal to the
legislature and the people to stand TO.
gelher and slI work for the progress aud
glory OF the mouReslth.
NOT OA,ET UAT2EX