The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-08
Governor Stuart's
Inaugural Address

The inaugural address message of Gov
ernor Henry G. Stuart. addressed primarily to
the general assembly of Virginia, but in large
sense TO the people OF the Commonwealth, Is a
careful. thoughtful, conservative review Of some
Of the more important problems and suggestions
NJ change for the hetterment Of the State gov
eminent and the establishment OF justice among
its citizens. Necessarily in brief address of
this character the governor has been able to
touch these major questions only in general
and not in a detailed way. His reiterated
pledge that he will administer the office in the
Interest of no faction or clique. but that he will
be the governor OF the whole State and will
strive for good government firmly and resolute
ly administered in the paramount interest of the
State was one forecast by his addresses and
announcements when he became candidate
for the office TO which he was subsequently
elected almost without opposition.
Governor Stuart devotes the greatest portion of
his message TO the subject of tax reform, and is
an earnest advocate OF equalization in fact, not
merely In name. After pointing out the In
equalties In the valuation of various subjects
of taxation in the various counties and cities,
and even in the same counties his remedial sug
geston is the creation in each county OF tax
equalization board to effect uniformity OF valu-
alton of the same subjects Of taxation by the
several magisterial districts of the various
counties. and then the creation Of State board
of equalization. which shall strive to secure
equality and uniformity of valuation among the
various counties and cities. The governor MAX es
It clear that he is opposed to any undue con-
slderation for intangibles. but favors a more
effective listing and fairer valuation of these
forms of property. He favors segregation only
in the event equalization be impracticable.
As to the fee system, he takes moderate and
reasonable view, merely advocating Hmita ton
upon the compensation OF those who now
paid extravagantly for the service rendered.
In this connection 1t may be added that the gen
eral assembly is already framing statute which
will satisfactorily cover the situation, In fact,
the evils of the fee system" have been greatly
exaggerated and the real objections to this
method of compromising certain classes of Of
ficas may be easily removed without injury
to the fiscal interests Of the State.
Naturally the new governor favors strength
enfng the primary laws with view to placing
such nominations above suspicion. This is a
thing easily done theoretically, but much more
difficult OF actual practical attainment We are
fully persuaded that laws would place cleo
tions above suspicious and slurs by defeated.
dsapp tinted and bitter ofiice-seekers,
The governors suggestion of party registra-
ton do harm. but under existent poll
teal conditions in this State suspect that
practically all who are qualified TO would
egiSter as Democrats, in two of the ten
congressional districts, since opposition party
exists only nominally in the others All addt-
tional safeguards that feasible should be
thrown about the conduct of primaries. though
for our part we have never any justihca-
ton for the agitation of this subject to the ex-
tent that 1t has been stressed
The governor affirms his fealtY 10 the cause
OF public education and to the establishment of
a college for women, but adroitly avoids COM
uniting himself on the question of the location
of such a college Very properly he urges the
elimination of friction between the Virginia
Polytechnic institute and the agricultural de-
partment of the State and the harmon Gus
operati of both in the interests Of practical
progressive agriculture, an attitude IN which we
believe the masses of the people concur
Governor Stuart although nf ha
constitutional convention which made the
change to shorter session, fapors extern
son of the biennial legislative session from
sixty to ninety days. in which plan there is hap
PLY, very general concurrence. The employ
ment of the convicts In lime grinding and in
road work and other State operations Is urged
as far as this may be practicable STRENGTHEN
ing the labor laws OF the State and their vigor-
Gus enforcement they apply 10 the ages
and hours of labor of children and the hours
of work for women also urged
After pledging his earnest interest in the
matter of road construction and Improvement
the governor suggests the greater fiexibility of
the state aid plan, hut promises special mes
sage later dealing with this subject num-
Der of other minor suggestions arc made but
the matters referred to constitute the more i'm
portant subject treated On the whole the
message is a sane, conservative. business like
treatment of the problems facing the State Nm
the solution of which the executive pledges his
cordial cooperation with the general assem-
blS.-paI1Nlle Register.
Breadth of vision is easily the feature Of
Governor Henry Carter Stuart's inauguaral ad. .
dress 1t is a State paper, laying down the
broadcast lines for lawmakfng and for hxed
policy that the administration will pursue
Concrete recommendations are rare in the
address, and upon consideration of the whole
1t liz readily to be that II was the intention
Of the governor to create the basis for policies
to be hereafter developed The Richmond news
IA q adj cxxiIl ha
a series OF messages to the general assembly
and this statement would seem to have a FONDA
ton in fact when one reads the address deal
irg it does with general lines of theaeht--In
the interest OF brevity. it was doubtless his in.
tenton to lay the foundation, upon which the
Psuperstructure of constructive legislation may
be reared.
The address breathes patriotism and de-
sire to serve the Commonwealth we'll and truly
Those who know Henry C. Stuart realize that
he has no other thought than to serve his fell