The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-01
The Governors Inaugural.

address, published in full elsewhere centers around
his remarks on the temperance question. 1t is the
first time. to recollection that any governor upon
such an occasion has made particular reference to
this subject Governor Mann deals with it briefly,
but goes at it directly and says all that necessary
at this time. He reviews the work that has been
done by legislation and otherwise for the temperance
cause and then says that his views wel-known
and have often been expressed to make repeti-
ton unnecessary, He disnisses the subject, there
fore, with the sentence that Il simply reterate my
steadfas opposition to the saloon and my confidence
in the people OF Virginia who have the right to settle
the question as to them shall seem best"
i Governor Mann has long been advocate of
prohibition but he has never been in favor of
egslating in advance of public sentiment. We take
it that he adheres to that position
Il The Governor deals with a variety of topics OF
public interest notably the tax question the public
school question banking laws public roads, corpora
tons municipal government public health, law en-
forcement, oyster legislation and primary election.
On the subject of taxation, he recognizes the
immediate need OF plan by which the real
estate of the Commonwealth may be brought to
book in the forthcoming assessment upon basis of
fair and equitable valuation.
Il After the assessment of this year the Governor
recommends the creation of a commissioner of taxes
as permanent office charged with the duty of
famliarizng himself with every section of the State
its resources and interests and establishing in every
county and city basis of assessment conforming to
the requirements of the constitution: also charged
with the supervision of the officers of the government
whose duty it is to lay and collect taxes.
i In discussing the educational problem the Cover
nor emphasizes the Importance of primary education
dropping the hint that it is better to teach the
pupils few essentials thoroughly than to stuff
them beyond their capacity of mental digestion
He will find that patrons generally of the public
schools fully agree with him in this vieweducation
is not stuffing, but training.
Especially is the Governor DESTROYS that the boys
and the men, too, of this State shall have expert
training in scientific agriculture. The Governor can
do nothing better for the of practical educa
Z ton and for practical development than to put into
successful operation plan that will reduce farming
IN Virginia to an exact science.
He advocates fixed policy for the oyster
industry, that agitation of the question may cease
: Just what that should be, he does say, but we
: hope that during his administration he will make
particular study of the entire question: that he will
investigate it thoroughly and make definite recon-
2 mendation to the next General Assembly, There
can be no fixed policy until the question is settled
right. Those who live iii the Tieewater section are
entitled to all advantages which their geographical
> position gives them,-But the oyster grounds be-
long to the whole public, and with due regard to all
personal interests, they should be made to yield
the greatest possible to the State. In that
way only can all the people come into their own
The Governor sounds a popular note when he says
that the amount which candidates for State offices
: should be permitted to expend in securing nom-
nation and election should be limited by law to
sum which will put it in the power of anyone to be
is wel-known to be true, that under existing cond-
tons the poor man is practically debarred from
running tor any office OF consequence. 1t is con-
dition intoerable and must be reformed.
=, The Governor is not in sympathy with those who
denounce all corporations because they corpora
tons. He thinks that lawful corporations are to be
encouraged, but they also to be disciplined con-
trolled and made to the public interest. He
t has no fear of the railroad combines. "Vrgnia"
he says is strong enough and wise enough to enact
and execute laws which will so control the powers
OF these great public service corporations to make
them minister to the needs and prove blessing to
our people
Ne are pleased that the Governor IL in full accord
with the movement to give the cities of Virginia the
lopton OF choosing and adopting simpliiied form
iof government The experience OF many cities, "
says he, seems to prove that small governing bodies
giving practically all their time To the affairs of the
city with direct and easily asCertained responsibility
to the people furnish the simplest and most salts
!, factory form OF government
The Governor favors such change in the constitu-
ton may be necessary give the cities this option
he tavors liberal pensions needy Confederate
veterans, ample provision for the State militia, a
permanent road fund, efficient Board of Health,
system OF bank accounting and public accountant.
Especial interest attaches to what he says about
the technicaities OF the law which impede court
trials and sometimes cause justice to miscarry.
The remedy, he declares is fully within the
power OF the legislature, and he thinks that law
should be enacted which will forbid our courts to
SET dsdt d Fefuiot III any criminal cause, except
upon the merits of the He also expresses the
opinion that law should be enacted providing that
elections shall not be set aside for any informality
of list of voters other such technicaty that does
not make the result uncertain and that whenever
it shall appear that the people have spoken and their
! wifi declared the result shall be sanctioned
All OF which seems to us to be wise and vrtuous.
V Taken whole, the Governors first message
to the General Assembly and the people is
vauabeState paper and worthy of every considera-
ton. 1t shows him to be thoroughly familiar with
all public questions and deeply sensible to the public
welfare