The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-29

this commonwealth. The success of these
institutions is assured, and the future
blessings to be derived from them in a
larger supply OF teachers will be manifold.
The universities and the various colleges
OF the state were given increased nppro-
priations which wonderfully improved then,
and made these state institutions equal
TO those OF other states. II WAS absolutely
necessary to do this to make up-to-date and
efficient these great institutions. During
the four years that | was governor, there
was appropriated by the state to the pri-
mary schools. 81. S02,37S.O0 more than was
appropriated during the four years of
Governor Afontaguc's administration. rho
educational development in Virginia was
so great. so marked. that the amount given
to primary schools. state and local. during
these four years. exceeded that Of tho four
previous years by S7,0l3 O95 "a. | do not
believe there is n state i'll the Union which
in the same length of time has made greater
educational progress. I wish TO Commend
the members OF the general assembly who
were wise enough to vote these a%ppropria-
tons which have brought this revival and
these great blessings and benefits to Vir-
GINA. or the Increased expenditures made
under my administration as governor
the larger part were for educational pur-
poses, tho benefits of which 20 TO the great
masses OF the people. Virginia cannot
spend her public money better. The best
gift that u parent can give TO q child is an
education. Great states and great nations
can be built only upon the solid foundation
OF broad, wise and scientific education. l
rejoice to have aided and am proud to share
the responsibility for those increased OK
pcnditures Tor public education. which will
bring TO this great common wealth future
blessings that 1t Is impossible to fully
estimate.
State Aid TO Roads.
The next policy that | earnestly advocated
in my campaign was state aid to road i'm
provcmcnt. In that campaign | distinctly
stated that / favored local. state and ma
tional aid TO road construction. I felt that
the time had arrived for the state to take
hold vigorously tho matter of her public
roads. | fully realized the great loss sus-
tanned by the people OF the state on account
OF the annual mud tax" In my inaugural
address | recommended. first. tho creation
OF q highway commission. with scientific
engineers, who should give their services
FREQ Of cost to the local mum In order
to aid scientific Improvement OF tho roads.
| that the ~convicts In the tails
and those with short terms in the peni-
Tertiary should be worked upon the public
roads. These communications were en-
acted into laws. When the second lcgisla-
ttrc under my administration convened
! recommended that the state should appro-
pirate S250,000 to aid tho local authorities
In the Improvement of public roads, TO DO
divided among those counties which did not
have the honefit OF the convict road force.
RMS recommendation also was enacted into
law, Ihls law produced q wonderful road
Improvement in the state. and under its
wise provisions nearly 500 miles Of gopd hard
surface roads have been constructed Dur
Ing these four years tho sum OF S465. 900 was
expended for road Improvement. Nothing
was expended for this purpose during tho
four previous. years.
During my candidacy for govornor. I
had promised to do what | could to increase
tho pensions Of the Confederate soldiers
and their widows. | felt that these were
deserving OF the most tender and generous
Consideration M tho hands Of the Virginia
people. The valor OF these soldiers had
given 10 the state a halo OF glory that is
ifnpcrishahlc. There were nut fow remain
ing years in which the state could extend
them assistance. and was
glad to sign the appropriation bill CARRYING
increased pensions TO these Justly honorcd
and loved men. During the four years OF
my administration $3.50, 900. 90 more in
pensions was appropriated than during the
four years OF the previous administration.
New State Departments.
II was also found absolutely necessary
10 increase the accommodation for the in
me at our hospitals and to mako large
Il preparations to take care OF them. on
account OF the greatly increased numbers
and increased cost OF maintenance. Not to
nave done this would have mado these un-
foTtunates incur great suffering and dis
tress- Tho general assembly wisely in
creased these appropriations both Tor build
lnsS ana maintenance at these nsylums. a
department OF health was created. which
IS modern. progressive and has been very
beneficial. A geological survey was begun.
which is rapidly and scientifically progress
sing. and which was badly needed. as Vir-
gina is one OF the few states which did not
nave such q survey. 1t will be OF great
value to the mineral and timber resources
OF the state. a board OF charities and cor
rprflOn WINS rrnnfpI 70 nNar N;-. A. -s
Tertiary. Jails, almshouscs and ORDINANCES
pubic and private. TO see that the inmates
are properly treated. and that these insti-
tutiohs are properly conducted. 4 separate
institution for the treatment OF cpileptIcs
OF the state provided for and located nenr
Lynchburg The separation OF these nm
iorturatcs from tho insane was absolutely
necessary for the benefit Of both To treat
tuberculosis cheaply and scientifically. the
state created a sanitarium ut Catawba.
Increased Taxation.
The amount of taxes collected crro,Iv
exceeded that OF former years. because OF
the increased prosperity OF the state and
inc substantial growth in values brought
about largely by our progressive policies.
ihcse appropriations were wise investments
hot cNtravaghnt expenditures. and they
nave pafd FOR themselves. The last aDDro-
priation bill that | signed, and the only
one which has been even remotely the sub
Jcct OF criticism. passed the house o. dele
gates With cighty-ninc members of the
house voting Tor It's passage. and none voting
against IL. 1t passed the senate by a vote
OF thirty-thrcc senators f6r 1t and none
against IT. Thus these appropriations were
supported by the unanimous votes o: the
members OF the general asscmbly-Dcmo-
"ir"ts ana Republicans alike. Even il |
should have differed with them on any of
THESE measures. as they were the chosen
preventative Of the people, | would not
nave lelt tiiat "A veto would have been justi-
iltd. IN popular government executive
Netoes should not be recklessly used and
not USED at all except to protect some right
or prevent some wrong. The nsinccritv-of
the attack upon mo by the so-cullcd Demo
cratic League OF Virginia for signing this
appropriation bill. becomes evident when
~ Is revealed that the president Of this
league. senator Grayatt, 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