The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-01-11
Governor Recommends Amendment to the Constitution
Which Would Permit Budget System
Legislation.
AGAIN URGES ADOPTION OF SHORT BALLOT
Stands by Workmens Compensation Law But Makes sup
gestions for Changes in Administration
of the Department

Gated.
The governor also took occasion to
renew his recommendation made in
his message TO the legislature in 1915,
that an efficiency commission be es-
tablished for the purpose of inves-
tigating the varied fields of state gov.
eminent activities with a view of rec
ommending means OF promoting eff
cheney in the states service and Civ.
ing the state the proper degree OF con.
servation."
Concluding the message reads:
This message gives to you my
final report Of four years service.
While the task that has confronted
me has at times seemed most ardu-
ous-almost impossible of solution
and In many instances friends of long
standing have been alienated because
of my inability to agree with them
upon policy of state affairs, | have
gone along in an honest endeavor to
carry out what | conceived to be in
the best interest Of the state as
whole Some of these friends have
. declared that have manifested dis
I loyalty to those who had been friendly
toward me in the days of my political
ambition to become governor; but
could In no sense see that should
! do something that did not think was
right because 1t was advocated by
some one who had been my political
friend. | might say that the embar.
easements | have had in this connec-
ton have grown largely out of the
activities of political meddlers, who
are usually responsible for misunder-
standings of this gind.
These instances made my task
more difficult and an additional ele-
ment Of burden came to ME by rea-
scope Of the states activities that was
taking place when assumed these re-
sponsibilities. But with all these va
ried experiences l must confess that
have enjoyed the work and have tried
to meet the responsibilities and issues
squarely and without fear. leave
the executive office with feeling that
notable progress has been made in our
states advancement. am sorry for
the loss have sustained OF old
friends; but the experiences of politi-
cal life, we are often told, may be
coupled with those uncertainties that
are linked In the incidents of love and
war. have made mistakes, doubt
not but they were of the mind and not
of the heart, be assured and feel
can say without successful contradic-
ton that have been devoted to the
duties that came to me. ] have en-
deavored to explore neglected hooks
and corners OF state problems and de-
velop them. have perverted no truth
in these duties. l have nursed no de-
fusion in these days or stunned no re.
sponsibilities in dealing with matters
or men when believed the state was
not receiving the consideration it
should from those who were selected
to he its servantI have permitted
no fear of loss Of political standing
or friendship of men, even to the point
of attempted ostracism, to change me
in what l thought to be right as
duty"
In connection with the message was
submitted a budget covering the fis-
cal year which will end on June 80.
1918, and the fiscal year which will
end on June 80, 1919, for consideration
of the legislature.
Regarding the two state institu-
lions at Fairmont the message says:
Fairmont State Normal School.
AS authorized by the Legislature
of 1913, the old Normal building and
grounds we're sold for a considera-
ton of $4,000. \ new building has
been erected on new location of
about eighteen and one-half acres, at
an approximate cost OF $4,000.
Especially fine training work is Of
fered in this institution for those
who are seeking a normal course.
There is an urgent need for dormi.-
tory to take the place of the old one
which has been sold and released by
the State for a period of two years.
The new dormitory would cost approx.
imately 100000 or an appropriation
of $4,000 TO reach year.
Considerable appropriation will be
needed to properly equip the new
school building and to grade and
beautify the grounds of the school,,
This Is always found to be necessary
expense in the erection of new and
additional buildings at any institu-
ton.
Fairmont Hospital No. 3.
One thousand six hundred and