The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-16

AVN VI NhUtktaAhVH Afs
ton.
Public Education.
There is progress In educational
work In Virginia, with gratifying de-
crease in illiteracy anon the schooi
population. yet the percentage OF
illiterscy is still far too high in some
counties. We may truly plead racial
problem not met in ot.er sections,
and the poverty which hindered us in
every way for so many years, yet the
thoughtful student Of Virginia affairs
knows Full we'll that we have not
measured UP to our full duty by our
children. In this age Of keen COM
petition. we cannot afford to give to
the young an equipment SO inferior
as to be n handicap in the battle or
life when a higher degree of prepared
ness is vouchsafed those who are edu-
Gated elsewhere 1t is not unlikely
that duplication exists ip the institu-
tons for higher education. with some
consequent waste, which might well
be utilized in strengthening every
branch of our educational system.
may here we'll repeat two sentences
from my inaugural address;
"The common schools, through all
the grades, and which in many com
munites are still most unsufficientN
developed should be the object or
first concern, for they constitute the
source from which the great majority
OF the people derive their educational
equipment. II should be the duty and
the pride of the State TO assist in
maintaining and advancing our higher
institutions of learning. and to add to
their number an institution for the
education of women in such manner
and at such time as may he practic-
able
Agriculture.
Good work il being zone by thu
various Agricultural agencies. re-
cent suggestion by the Commissioner
of Agriculture for the establishment
of bureau of marketing. for the
benefit of producers, Is most excellent.
The farm demonstration and the girls
club work should be maintained and
encouraged.
BY the provisions of what is known
as the Smith-T4ever bill. by act OF
Congress. approved May s, 1914. GER
tain amounts of money ar paid from
the treasury of the United States 10
the various land grant colleges for
the purpose of cooperating with the
states in agricultural demonstration
work To secure the advantages OF
this annual appropriation 1t Is neces-
sary for the state to give its consent
TO the DThhlNlpliS OF ltiE al 4, III NGNF'7
ton of your honorable body. l. as
Governor. gave my consent in May.
1914. To this act and since that time
the appropriations have been paid for
the mast two years to tho Virginia
Polytechnic institute. | recommend
that you pass an act or joint reSoiu-
ton giving the consent OF the state
Of Virginia to the at Of Congress
here mentioned.
Public Health.
The state Health Department has
in dollars and cents paid for it's main
tenanee 'inany times over through the
prey entiOn of disease and the conser"
walton of life aud health. its publicity
service Is invaluable. The work at
the Catawaba Sanatorium which is
after all school of right living as
well as an institution for the cure OF
tuberculosis, should --bs encouraged,
A similar institution for the negroes.
who have now nowhere to go for
treatment when they contract tuher-
culosis unless they commit crime
or become insane. is Il public 'neces-
ssty Rural sanitation should he an
forced. Cities and towns must he re-
CURED TO install and maintain IA
ciUties for adequate sewage dis
poSal.
-
General Assembly authorized the APP
uointnent by the Governor of # COM
mission on the study Of tuberculosis,
which has made an exhaustive report
This report has been printed. and Will
he placed in the hands tf the MEM
hers of your honorable body. and l
commend il to your most careful con-
sinderation.
Elections.
For the most part Virginia elections
are now fairly conducted But the
primary laws need strengthening IN
important particulars. SO that such
elections are above all suspicion. and
70 that the machinery 4fte i'-- 4i'strli-
fed and made smooth. A preferential
vote in primaries should be author
lied by which citizens might name
their FIRST second ana even thlrd
choice for each office.
special Enterprises.
Pursuant to a bill passed al the last
preceding regular session, commits
sion TO the PanQma Pacific Interna-
tional Exposition WIS duly appoint.
ed and organized. \ building was
erected an a home for Nirginians at
the exposition. aud a most valuable
single farm, exhibit was made by Mr..
James Redwood and family, OF
Chesterfield County. which attracted
national attention and received many
prizes, and for which the Bellwoods
deserve the thanks Of the Common
H>ealth This commission will report
to your body
4 commission OF revision OF the
Code has been appointed in accord
ance with an act of Assembly in 1914,
and has partially completed its work.
Because of delays from causes be-
vond the reach of the Gettyshurs
Monument Commission, the eques-
lrian statue of General Lee has not
Vet been completed but will be ready
for unwilling during the spring or
summer of 1915. | recommend the
reapprnpriation of the uneSpended
balance, and also of the special APP
preparation made in 1914 10 defray
the expenses of unwilling.
After some DELAY due to exhaustive
examinations Of limestone deposits.
and still further delay necessary to
perfect title to the property finally
chosen, the State Convict Lime Grind
ing Board has esta blished plant adj
jacent to the city of Staunton for the
grinding OF limestone to be sold to the
Virginia farmers approximately at
cost The first shipments Of ground
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