The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-21

my OtHsF recommendations 10 INV
general assembly until we act on his
FIRST recommendations, or agree and
pledge ourselves in advance to accept
in full such othr recommendations as
he may send.
That is why | voted against ac-
cepting this report. We would then
be in honor bound to accept It here
in the senate as a whole, without any
change.
Il take issue with the governor IN
his arbitrary stand on the matter of
salaries for underpaid, efficient and
deserving state officials. The total
$500 a year.
What seems TO be due the general
assembly from the governor?
Unconvinced by Facts.
Having made recommendations
which because of errors obviously
cannot be adopted. isn't II fair that
those recommendations should he re-
placed by recommendations of diff
ferent character. Nevertheless the
erroneous recommendations are all that
is before this senate, and the position
is stated to be that the governor res
fuses to send a correction.
And moreover. we are asked 70
give hidebound assurance that the
new recommendation Will be adopt
ed en- bloc. Senators have their re
sponsiblities no less SO than the gov
ernor. and we are not supposed to
send pledges In advance TO the COVER
nor that whatever recommendation
he, makes will be adopted. 1t would
establish a precedent that would for
ever riKe to plague us. and deliver
this assembly horse. foot and dragons
into the hands of the chief executive
maintain II is not incumbent on
us to swallow them as a whole. TO
accept or reject Is per cent wrong
in order to get IS per cent right. The
constitution of rs sustains my con-
tention that we have a right to take
these matters up separately and com.
mon sense and Justice demand that
we should do SO.
IF the governor will condescend
to send us some additional recon-
mendations to take tho place OF these
erroneous recommendations, we can
then consider them. Nobody knows
on what basis these cuts were made.
Your committee admits the probable
ity that they will leave deficits In the
Institutions.
"Mockery and Deceit"
1T is a mockery and deceit, a euo-
terfuEe, telling the people we are
saving you a million dollars. and then
come here at the next session and
pass bills making up the deficiency.
IF the governor thinks the gen
erai assembly is morally bound to
redeem his campaign pledges / take
issue with him.
Replying TO the question >-----
by senator. yes I'll iGroduce
plh myself TO increase taxes IL there
Is not enough revenue. and Ia be
standing on the same ground as the
governor The governor himself ap-
peared before the committee OF this
assembly and advocated ten cents for
schools, ten cents for roads, an increase
In taxes of twenty cents. Instead of
the eight passed by this. assem- bly,
ana the governor was right, too. II
agree with the governor on that /
But this matter OF reducing ap-
propriations now to be made up later
tn special bills for deficits which
every one comedies is inevitable IL the
war continues is a subterfuge
Whose Platform?
We all have a right to our opinion
The governor disagreed with us on
the compensation bill, and that meas
ure Is here now with the veto, and
the crying needs 81 our people ara
denied because Of an unfortunate
plank IN the governors platform I
hVAlNi NAM Abf iANlA4B up 10 MS pledge. !
but It was nevertheless an unfortu-
nate promise. The compensation bill
was great. humane and economic
necessity for which the great body
Of the people are crying out, and
while the governor Is tied TO his plat
form. We are not.
Il am not willing to appeal 70 a |
cheap sentiment in some quarters by !
denying TO efflciert men in the en-
ploy OF the state decent salaries; and |
unless We do grant those pitiflf fsttle |
Increases amounting in all 10 only |
$500 a year. We are IN danger OF |
losing the services OF many OF our |
most valued state officials Calls have !
been made for them to go elsewhere |
at higher salaries. and Il there ever |
VAS a time when X was fittinr to in |
crease their pay IL IS now when the |
high COST OF living is pressing down |
a burden on all of us
Il ind II almost Impossible to be- |
ieve that the governor VIII insist on |
his attitude OF standing by his first |
erroneous recommendations be
ieve he Will veto the bill r. we re
iect this compromise. end We can |
hen prepare p bill which will do tus-
ice 10 all concerned"