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

also wish to say that in my inaugu-
raj address and various messages to
the General Assembly, l constantly
urged the necessity Of economy, and
that the expenditures should be con-
fined entirely within the limitations
Of the revenues of the State. The
official record in the Auditors Office
will sustain my contention that this
policy was strictly adhered to by the
two legislatures Of my administra-
ton. My opponent is reported in
many other speeches as saying that
during my administration the school
fund was robbed Of 500, 100000 and
this amount transferred to the gen.
eral fund. | am at loss to know
the slightest foundation for this
charge Instead Of the school fund
being decreased during my admins
tration, the appropriation to the pri-
mary schools Of the State were In
creased during the four years more
than S1,S00,000,00, The statement
that the school fund was deprived of
$100,00000 either by bookkeeping
or by law is fabrication pure and
simple. l invite Mr. Glass to point
out any thing of this kind that oc-
Cured during the time | was Cover
nor. It is surprising that candi-
date for high Office should repeatedly
make false statements and misrepre-
sensations. He has also charged
during the progress OF this cam
paign that the salaries paid State
officers during my administration
were increased more than 100000.
The object of this is to produce the
impression in the State that the Cen
eral Assembly Of Virginia and had
recklessly and unnecessarily increased
salaries of State officials. This
statement of Mr.. Glass is based on the
aggregate Of the salaries during the
four years of the previous administra-
ton and the four years Of my admin
istration, But this is entirely unfair
and misleading and its conclusion
conveys a false impression. The
new Constitution which substituted
circuit judges for county judges,
created the Corporation Commission,
and other new Offices, greatly in
creased the aggregate amount Of
the salaries of the State Off
Gals. The new Corporation Com
mission and the new judicial system
were only operative during the last
year OF Governor AIontague's admin
istration, but they were operative
during my entire administration.
If complaint should be made of the
aggregate increase Of salaries the
larger part of which was occasioned
by the new Constitution, the fault of
it lies more with Mr. Gass than my
self, as he was member of the
Constitutional Convention, and l was
not. Neither the General Assembly
nor myself had the power TO abolish
any increase provided for by the
Constitution. But this is not a fair
test as TO the increase of salaries
under my administration. In this
respect / welcome the comparison OF
my administration with that OF Mr..
Montague, which my opponent has
seen proper to make. In 1901, the
last year Of Governor Tyler's admin
istration, the aggregate amount Of
salaries wasS110,246.04. In 1906,
the last year Of Governor Montagues
administration, The aggregate amount
OF salaries was S204,2S3.50. This
made an increase during Governor
Montague's administration Of S94,
U3I.46. Fairness requires me to
repeat and impress on you the fact
that much of this increase was occas-
Toned by the new Constitution, for
which Alr. Glass was more response
bic than Governor Montague. In
1903, the last year OF my adminiStra-
ton. The aggregate amount Of salaries
was 1854, 509.56, being ali increase
over the last year OF Governor Mon
tague's administration of $50,326.06.
Thus, this increase under my admin
stratlon was less than the increase
under Governor Montague's admin
stration by $43,711.40. Included in
this increase is $40, $4,000 paid the
guards for the penitentiary, which
increase was occasioned by the crea-
tion of the Convict Road force, re-
curing great many more guards TO
properly care for and work this force
| am sure that this increase 10 have
the Convicts worked on the public
roads is universally approved Sl2,
10000 more was made necessary by
the creation Of five new judicial cir
cults required by the increased bust
ness and demand for more prompt
and efficient judicial administration
There was no increase in the salaries
of the judges. | am satisfied that
this expenditure is approved. A
large part Of the other increases was
occasloned by the new departments
and bureaus which have been bene-
fetal, and which l have heard no
suggestion from any one to have
abolished. Others were necessary TO
carry into effect the provisions of
the new Constitution. The increases
OF individual salaries to officers have
been small and I know of none that
has been excessive. Mr.. Glass has
named no excessive salary paid to
any one, but complains of some in
creases having been made contrary
10 the Constitution / deny that
TINS Is true. If Mr. Glass thinks
there are any unconstitutional in
creases he has very easy and simple
: remedy He can apply to the
courts, and any increase that was
made contrary 10 the Constitution
Will be nullifed. l know Of no un-
constitutional increase, and il. MIR.
Glass knows that any such increases
were made, instead Of making a loud