Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-17
GOVERNOR SENDS
MESSAGE
Review Work of Depart
ments in Document to
the Legislature
A COORDINATE BILL
| COORDINATE BILL
Selection of Member of Court of APP
peals in Place of Judge Keith Alb.
serbs Interest.

Richmond, Jan 1.-THE quicken
ing of the legislative machinery by
the decision of the lower house to
meet daily at 10 o'clock in the morn
ing, beginning today: second mes
sage from Governor Stuart suggest
ing important new legislation; con-
tinued high interest in the Sims-Lile
rivalry for the impending Supreme
Court vacancy. speculation on the
probable verdict of the committee in
vestigating the quality Of Senator Jor-
dams Democracy--these were the
things that stood out prominently in
the activities of the General Assem-
bly, Saturday.
Both houses adjourned early in the
afternoon, and many of the members
from nearby counties and cities left
for their homes to spend the week
end. With all standing committees ap-
pointed and schedule of committee
meetings all but perfected and more
than 100 bills awaiting attention, the
Legislature began today the real work
of the session of 1916. The initial
work of organization is complete.
In his 3,OO0-word second message,
the Governor touches saliently upon
the conduct of the State departments
and institutions, finding much to COM
.,fend, in the1nlannsr Of stheir=,aiminis-
tration and abundant food for con-
graduation in their progress.
In his suggestions for new legisla-
ton, the Governor directs attention to
some shortcomings that have been
made evident to the Legislature in
previous sessions and to other mat
ters that have more recently be-
come the subject of public concern.
Difficulties encountered recently in
extending prompt military assistance
at the time of the devastating fire I'M
doubtedly is the inspiration of the
Governors recommendation that there
should be law giving the movement
of troops the right of way on rail-
roads when ordered out for active
duty and providing for adequate fines
on railroads which fail to comply
with such law.
The Governor advises serious con-
sideration of the subject of farm ere
dts, and recommends the appointment
of commission to make study
! of the various systems of land mort
gage banks and other forms of rural
credit with the view of devising sys-
| TEN that would be applicable to con-
ditions in this State.
The failure of the General Assem-
| blies of 1912 and 1914 to comply with
section 43 of the Constitution, requir-
ing that reapportionment OF the
State into senatorial house dis
tr;cts shall he made in 1912 and ever!
tenth year thereafter, leads the Gov
ernor to remind the present LegiSla
ture that the duty of making this re-
appointment rests against it this yeal
with accumulated force.
| Other recommendation advise thu
enactment Of fair and reasonable
workingmen's compensation act; the
amendment of the road laws to Civ
local authorities wider powers; tn
establishment Of district poor farms
the erection of state office building
the construction of fire-proof quarter
\ III which to store valuable manu-
scripts at the State Library; tn
standardization of county and cit!
accounting; the regulation OF tn
business of commission merchant!
and the use of the preferential ba
lot in primaries.
Unless there is a change from tn
present sentiment, the question Of tn
successor to Judge Keith will be set
tied before the end of this week. Th
feeling is widely shared that legisla
, ton will not proceed smoothly unit
;. this piece of business is disposed O.
A joint caucus will probably be Gale
the end of this week to make tn
nomination.