Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-01-10
GOVERNOR Mann
SENDS MESSAGE.
Executive in Biennial Message to
Legislature Discusses Public
Questions.
VIEWS ON LIQUOR QUESTION.

Thinks All Saloons Should be Closed al
Sunset-Favors Reform Of Fee System
and Payment Of Salaries.
Richmond, Jan. 10,1912, Special.
THE reform Of the States laws, the
unification OF the States agricultural
system. the enforcement Of local op-
tion, the reform of the fee system,
the strengthening of the election laws
and the proper expansion OF the
States charitable and health work.
these are the principal recommends
tions in the Governors message which
was delivered TO the General Assem-
bly, shortly after noon today.
Taxation, Governor Mann wrote. is
the most important single issue be-
fore the General Assembly and will
be made the subject OF special mes
sage. The employment Of convicts
on the public roads, which the Gov
ernor also advocates. together with
be treated in the message Of today.
The message began with brief
congratulation Of the Assembly upon
it's conyocation at the time when the
State was enjoying unusual prosper
ity. The Governor referred briefly
TO the advances made in the State
hn a.
clared that these should encourage
The General Assembly to further ef-
prts along like lines.
But the very progress made. the
lovernor stated. placed new re-
sbnsibilities upon the General AS
sably. New progress meant new
piblems and there was much OF i'm
ptant work, he declared. before
thepresent General Assembly.
4nfederate pensions was the first
sutsct discussed in detail. The
GoWnor quoted from his inaugural
on lis subject and stated that the
prop support OF the veterans was
the tst duty of the State. In order
to prtent the scaling Of pensions be-
causepf the large number of pen
sionei added after the appropria-
tion VS. made. the Governor recon-
mendt that the Auditor be empow-
cred tpay all pensions in full, even
though they exceeded the amount
specially appropriated for that pur
pose.
In deing with the States finances,
the GoGnor pointed out that the
dlfferenending of the fiscal and the
approprlion year involved confu
sion andpften made the finances of
the Statappear in false condition.
He thereIre recommended that the
fiscal andhe appropriation year be
made syntonous. He reported that
there wou be at least S2S2.000 sur
plus in thdreasury on March |. the
end OF 1hdappropration year. He
declared, hcever that any appropri-
alton bill Crying S6,5O0,O00 would
be all that he finances of the State
would justil The Governor like
wise urged te creation of a special
reserve fund half million dollars
to be used Il emergencies. but not
to be subjectto general appropria-
tion. He alsdwelt at length on the
Importance otuniform methods of
bookkeeping al proper auditing. SO
that all claimagainst the State or
any Of its instutions shall pass
through the Ardtor's office:
In discussing temperance. the Gov
ernor points OF that local option
is often rendera Intellectual by the
shipment of liqur from wet" terri
tory into dry" He therefore rec
ommends that law be enact
ed prohibiting such shipments
In the same way he likewise rec
ommends the clong of all saloons
between the hours If sunset and sun
rise and would allo, no State license
for the sale of liqpr except during
the daytime. This. he declares, will
remove temptation rom young men
who do not drink eMept after their
days work.
Charitable work ind the public
health cause Of the Commonwealth
are treated at some lQgth. The Gov
ernor recommends elose inspection
or maternity homes, state control OF
Teformatories. the Establishment OF
an institution for eesle-minded and
OF district almshouses land the super.
vision OF all paroled prisoners and
children placed in priIate homes ii
the commonwealth. For the better
ment OF the public heath he recon