The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-01-11
(ey Assoclated Pressl

Joint session OF the state legislature
here today, defended his administra.
ton. reviewed the financial condition
OF the state, recommended an amend.
ment to the constitution which would
permit a new budget system and the
estab ishment OF state board OF
equalization. The state executive did
not touch upon the virginia debt case
Y except to announce that special mes
sage Of this sr0ject would later be
sent TO the legislature.
The governor repeated his recon-
Inendation made in message two
years ago fer a short ballot, advocated
the state censorship of moving pic
lures, the administration of the prohi.
bition department by head who has
no other official responsibility; en-.
largement of the powers of the state
road department and an adequate state
road fund. He further urged the leg
stature to provide an appropriation
stationed at Charleston, ready for use
IN emergency cases.
Regarding the workmen's compen-
eation law, the governor recommended
that 1t be amended so that the admiIl-
istratiye expense should be borne by
the state instead of being paid out of
the compensation fund; that the cm-
ployers pay all the premiums instead
of dividing the cost with the employees
and that the employers election to pay
premiums into the fund automatically
terminate upon their failure to pay
premiums, or make payroll reports or
keep up the deposit when requested
within the time specified.
Much space was devoted in the mes
sage TO state finances. The governor
declared that the passage of the bud
get act by the last regular session of
the legislature did much in dealing
with the states finances but that fur
Their progress can not be made with
out an amendment to the state consti-
tuition and advocated the adoption Of
the Maryland budget plan which he
asserted furnishes admirable safe
guards against unwise and reckless
extrayagance on one hand and against
a spasmodic and short visioned parst-
mony on the other"
It also provides the strongest pos.
sible guarantee" he added against
the practice of making legislative ap-
preparations without at the same time
making adequate provisions in the
way of revenue measures to meet
these appropriations in full and also
fixes the responsibility so that the
carping politicians cannot attempt to
place the responsibility where it does
not properly belong in case Of gov
ornamental extravaganza"
The state executive added that the
r..,k L. 20
y constitution will permit in this re-
spect and he is convinced that If the
s people Of West Virginia will adopt an
amendment along the lines outlined by
him, 1t will be distinct advance for
the cause of good government.
K Some look upon the question OF
taxation" the message reads, las a
n great evil and annoyance and are in
clined to condemn those who serve the
part of public servants and would have
them looked upon as being dishonest
and their motives-eharacteri2ed as be-
ing Interior and for personal gain.
fThis kind Of misrepresentation has
been carried on and continued by men
IN our own political affairs in West
Virginia who should be above such
petty untruths. But not so. They
have lent their influence, and support,
until this viciousness has really dam
aged our states welfare and will be
felt in our state growth and develop
ment Not only is this the case but
MANY who have participated therein
will find that the injustice they have
attempted to throw upon others will
react upon themselves. The repre-
Eentatiyes of vicious and selfish inter
tests through the candidate they seek
10 elect to office, always adopt this
method of campaigning with the
hope of prejudicing the minds of the
people, and 1t would seem to me that
il the taxpayers would pause to con-
slider, that this worn out subterfuge
in the way of political issue against
the passing administration would be
a liability instead of an asset in the
hands Of the class who use It."
After reviewing the present condi.
ton of the states treasury, he con.
tinues:
ut is with qualification that point
TO the satisfactory working of the new
revenue law and to the states present
sound financial condition and to leg.
fslation enacted which guarantees the
continuance Of a sound financial pol.
fey. The states deficit has been can
celled and the state will finish the
present year with a surplus of $751;
1928. The temporary transfer from
the general fund has been repaid, the
S650,000 borrowed has been repaid,
and during the last two years 1884,
1898 has been expended out of tho
general revenue for buildings, land, re.
pairs and improvements amount
equal to the aggregate amount of such
expenditures during the seven proceed.
Ing years"
The governor denied that the gov.
eminent in West Virginia is being ex-
tIayagantly administered showing by
the use OF table the cost In various
states compared with that in this
state.
The work OF the department Of
health was praised IN the message,
The governor recommending that the
legislature appropriate at least $780,.
BOO so that the work already begun
ran be continued. An,increase in the
salaries paid TO members Of the West
Hyginia Supreme Court Of Appeals