Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-08-30

ing the four years of my administra-
lion, S35O,00g.00 more in pensions
was appropriated than during the
four years of the previous admiristra-
ton.
1t was also found absolutely neces-
sary to increase the accommodation
for the insane at our hospitals and
ito make larger appropriations to
take care of them, on account OF the
increased numbers and increased cost
of maintenance Not to have done
this would have these unfortunates
incur great suffering and distress.
The General Assembly wisely increas-
ed the appropriations, both for build
ings and maintenance at these instl-
tutions. A department OF health was
created, which is modern, progressive,
and has been very beneficial. A Geo
logical Survey was begun, which is
rapidly and scientifically progress
ing, and which was badly needed, as
Virginia is one Of the few States
which did not have SUCH survey.
1t will be of great value to min
eral and timber resources of the
State. A Board Of Charities and
Corrections was created to ex-
anime the penitentiary, jails aims
houses and orphanages, public and
private, to see that the inmates are
properly treated, and that these In
situations are properly conducted.
A separate institution for the treat
ment of epileptics Of the State was
provided for and located near Lynch
burg. The separation of these un-
fortunates from the insane was alb
solutely necessary for the benefit of
both. To treat tuberculosis cheaply
and scientifically the State created
a Sanitarium at Catawba. increa-
scd appropriations we're made for the
various agricultural interests of the
State and also for the creation Of a
dairy and pure food department.
The appropriations for the Depart
ment of labor were increased, and its
efficiency was greatly augmented.
All these progressive policies were
needed and are so obviously bene-
fetal that there is no room for discus
sion or doubt. No one has dared to
advocate the abolition of any of them,
or to reduce the appropriations for
these purposes. My competitor,
while indulging in general criticisms
has not named one of these appro-
priations that he does not favor and
would have vetoed if he had been
Governor. His criticism is unwar-
ranted and unfair, unless he cam point
out an appropriation which was ina
proper and was not required. AS no
such has not been pointed out we must
conclude that as a whole 1t has his
approval. To carry out all these
improvements increased expenditures
were unavoidable, but these were
provided without increase Of the rate
of taxation on real or personal pro-
perty. The increased benefits were
not accompanied by Increased bur
dens. The amount of taxes collec-
ted greatly exceeded that Of former
years because of the increased pros
perity of the state and the substan-
tial growth in values brought about
largely by our progressive policies.
These appropriations were wise in
vestments, not extravagent expendl-
lures, and they have paid for them
selves. The last appropriation bill
that I signed, and the only one which
has been even remotely the subject OF
criticism, passed the House OF Dele
gates with 80 members Of the house
voting for its passage, and mono vot-
ing against it. 1t passed the Senate
by q vote of SO Senators for 1t and
none against it, thus these appropria-
lions were supported by the unani-
nous votes of the members of the
General Assembly, Democrats and
Republicans alike Even If should
have differed with any Of them on
any of these measures as they were
the chosen representatives of the
people | would not have felt that a
veto would have been justified. In
popular government, executive vetoes
should not be reclllessly used and
not used at all except to protect
some right or prevent some wrong
The insincerety Of the attack upon
me by the so-called Democratic
League of Virginia for signing this
appropriation bill becomes evident
when it is revealed that the Presi-
dent of this League, Senator Gravatt,
of Caroline County, voted for this
very appropriation bill. Senator
Strobe, of Amherst, is recorded also
as voting for these appropriations.
The inconsistency Of my opponent
becomes striking when he urges my
defeat for the United States Senate eb-
cause | signed thi. bill and yet favors
the reelection of these two Senator'S
who were primarily more responsible
for its passage than myself. Con-
isistency should demand that his
denunciation should be directed
against them and others, rather than
against me. But wish to avoid no
responsibility for signing this bill.
The results achieved have been most
beneficial and far reaching, and the
appropriations carried were within
the resources of the State. My
opponent has assailed me for signing
this bill, which he tells the people
produced a deficit of 100000 in
the State Treasury. If this is true,
the deficit is 50 small in comparison
to the great benefits which have come
that it is not of sufficient importance
for discussion, even from his own
standpoint. If such deficit existed
it did not amount to more than one
and half cents per capita Of the
population of Virginia. | am salts
fed that the people, even if this as
sertion of deficit were true, would
have been willing to have their i'm
proved schools, roads. various depart
ment, and increased pensions to Con-
federate soldiers by the payment OF
one and half cents piece. II
there had been a deficit it could not
have affected the incoming admin
istration, because the Constitution
limits all appropriations to two years
and the General Assembly that was
y,