The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-11

SlSAo's Siiouio always b'
Paid in Full--Uniform Ac.
counting System Nee c
Throughout the State.
TO the General Assembly of Virginia
In presenting this message, contain
60 your honorable body, wish first
of all to congratulate you upon tn,
favorable conditions under which you
are assembled: IN all It's long history
more prosperous than 1t is to-day Our
crops dave been large. though some
what affected by the drought: prices
have been good; our manufacturers
have greatly Increased their products
and found extended markets and ready
buyers; our sea food industries have
conditions OF few years ago; our
whole body polite has prospcred.
Much has been achieved since the Gen
marked an epoch in the progress Of the
Commonwealth. Our corn crop for 1910
was over 100000 bushels in EXCESS OF
DESPITE bad season. WAS larger by
over 100000 bushels than in 1903;
our educational institutions have be-
gun new activities. which have raised
value to the people; a comprehensive
study of Our tax laws has been made /:
over 500 miles of good roads have been
constructed under State direction and
our public obligations havc all been
met and our credit is high. Truly, there
Is much TO encourasc SO General AS
sembly In the discharge of its pa
triotic laeors for the further upbuild-
Ing of the Commonwealth.
But inc very progress made since the
most responsible duties upon the pres.
emit Assembly. New and important
problems have arisen which demand
careful consideration at your hands.
been deferred too long. cannot be fur
fher, postponed. but should receive at
fention at this session OF Assembly: tho
educational needs Of the Common
wealth must DO met In spirit both
liberal and far-seeinE: our prison pop
Slaiio1 must be probably employed III
h neal t work without competition
advance must be fostercd by legisla-
tion which Will encourage better farm.
Ing and give to the individual planter
supply OF proper ground limestone for
our farmers must be considered, the
conservation OF the public health must
oe lur,hered by helpful legislation;
De given the support OF wise laws: the
Zee system. which has long aggravated
tne people; must be reformed; legisla-
ton for the purity OF elections must
be enacted; many other public works
stand in need OF Legislation 10 broaden
their usefulness or to increase their
effectiveness. A great opportunity for
constructive legislation liz afforded tho
Assembly-an opportunity to build for
me future and 10 lay the fcunGa tions
Tor the happiness of our children. while
increasing the prosperity OF our pres
cnt citizenship.
The subject of tax reform, which I
regard as the most important single
Mork before the Assembly, with good
n ts11T
he made the subject OF special COM
munication. In the present message r
amali oonhne myself, TO n brief dis
eMssiion OF various othcr. aspects of tnc
ai,tinlhistfa ton. with such recommends
uons for legislation as mature thought
conVinces mo to be wise
Confederate Soldiers.
In my inaugural address urged the
claims of these gallant men as being
superior to all others, both because
OF the eminent services they have rem
dered and because, In tho nature OF
Inc case, they cannot be very long In
iae midst Of grateful people who re-
member their valorous services.
Unfortunately. under TIA presotn law.
NE small sums allowed by the State
lot the relief OF our needy veterans
below the very modest figures set by
the statutes. This has been due 10
me addition OF new pensioners, who
nave 70 share in tho total amour; ap-
oiion OF about 1900 veterans to the
pension rolls during 1911 required a
neauetion OF 10 per cent. In all the
cd under the provisions OF the special
acts OF 1889 and on the roll of 1855,
me me ful' amount allowed BY law. s45O.-
wv. was paid. but 1t was not sufficient
10 meet the honest claims made on il.
IN order to prevent the recurrence
OF such lamentable conditions rec
ON 3mmend tha, law be enacted authoriz-
any funds an aHe. .s 70 Fay In ful from
pfoperiS approved and due at the dates
Of payment This viii require add.
.n funds, but it is the very lcust
70 whom she owes mucn OF her mast
sioly ana present prosperity.
The States Finances
On this important subject the Audi
tor has already given full Information
in his report. and little remains 70 he
SAID except 10 call attention 10 Ger
tain conditions which should, IL rossi
Die, be remedied.
me fiscal year ends on the 3oth Of
scPtembe- and the appropriation veal.
on tho last day OF February. AZ =
cohsequenrc II frequently happens taat
thcre Is charseable against The bal
h sd1 due the State on tho FIRST of Oc-
HSooer' AZ Nfaa the case during the last
nscil year appropriations which more
IMAM consume 1t. This condition. tn
ITjs e. the the least. is confusing to The pub
Il
should be so changed as that the an.
pSoprihuon year and tho fiscal year
EMIL chd at the same time
ne interests OF the state are now
go numerous and so varied as TO de-
mand the best thought OF those in
t,uAted with their administration ana
should be conducted on sound con
EtIrative business basis. AppropiIa-
uons should not only he wcl within
the resources OF the State. but should
provide for the accumulation of a sr,, D..
Plus OF not less than 100000 'rhip
should be held as u special fund "a
meet contingencies such. for Instance
rs the destruction by fire OF one OF IND
state hospitals. By the aid OF such a
iuho inc state would hav. no difticult (
N tiding over tho months of August
septsmber and October. wacn tho do.
tnsnds on the Treasury arc extremely
surplus might bt used az loan t,ind
a. such d time. Every establishment
i uoihg q snooooo6 business. provides
ITSELF with SUCH a fund aud the stat,
should do likewise ' "