Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-02-06
HENRY c. STUART
is NOW GOVERNOR
Takes Oath of Office in Richmond
as Successor TO W. H. Mann.
A Brilliant Inaugural.


Richmond, Va, Feb. 2, 1914.-Un-
der bright sky and in balmy spring
like air, the ceremonies attending
the installation of the newly chosen
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, At
torney General and other state Of
ficers chosen by the people were
impressively consummated.
Not for twenty years has there
been SO much pomp and pageantry
exhibited in launching new state
administration. And the event
proved popular. The counties and
other cities of the state poured their
hordes into the Capital and all were
good humored, radiant, enthusiastic.
The military parade of 1900 troops
with the automobile and carriage
contingents, went through cheering
throngs. The Richmond Blues end
the Howitzers, with the bravest off
uniforms, the V. M. l. cadets and
the members of the state militia
made mighty fine showing.
The south portico of the beautiful
and historic Capitol, festooned with
flags and bunting, jammed with
distinguished company, Governor
Henry Carter Stuart took a second
oath and made his first deliverance
as chief executive. 1t was charac-
teristic of the man-direct and force
full. Furthermore, it was progressive
and gave good hope to those who
long for ehtadvancement of genu-
inely popular government.
BOOM! Nineteen times the can
non roared out their welcome TO the
new Governor. The troops are re-
viewed, congratulatins are showered,
are deluged; the new era is opened
and popular expectations boosted.
Then at night the reception at the
mansion, which is bower of beauty
Everybody happy! Hurrah! Hurrah!
Governor Stuart's Address.
The inaugural address of Cover
nor Stuart dwelt strongly upon tax
alton and other matters relating TO
the fiscal policy of the state, but
ulQ ilOI W luClliiOIl
legislation which he deemed desir-
with her advancing sister states.
He recommended a constitutional
amendment restoring the Legislative
session of ninety days, and legisla-
tion requiring the purity of all
elections, including primaries, pro-
viding for party registration and
expenses paid out of public funds;
progressive legislation in the mat
ter Of child labor and female labobr,
and for a workman's compensation
act. He favored increased recogni-
tion of Confederate soldiers and
their widows, and larger appropria-
tions for common schools as well
as higher education, with especial
concern for the education of women;
the extension of the lime grinding
act and the ultimate employment of
all convicts upon this work, roads
and other like kinds off labor. He
emphasized the Importance of sci
entific road building as conducive to
the prosperity of city and country
alike. He. expressed opposition to
the excessive compensation of of
ficials through fees, and desired to
substitute adequate payment for
turned into the public treasury. lie
urged Il uniform system of book
keeping in all departments, institu-
tions and boards, and by local off
cials. He demanded obedience to
the law on the part of public ser
vice corporations, while promising
to protect them from undue bur
dens and eXactions.
The inequalities Of our system oil
taxation were exposed and de-
plored. He opposed favoritism TO-
wards intangible property, and de-
clared that when such property was
honestly given in and properly as
sessed there would be less under
assessment of visible property, and
the possibility of an automatic low
erlng of the tax rate. He suggest
ed local county and city boaras OF
equalization under the supervision
of state board composed of one
member from each of the five grand
divisions Of the state with power TO
reach all taxable property. If such
a comprehensive plan OF equaliza-
ton cannot be agreed upon, then he
would favor as an alternative
system of segregation providing
compensation for counties and cities
which would be compelled to sur
render an undue share of taxable
values. 1t was an able address,
forcibly delivered.