Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-01
One of virsinia's Best Governors

VIC Oh virginia y lScSt governors
THE administration Of Governor West
1 moreland Davis, which comes to an end
today, has been marked by IL sngularly
constant regard for the broad keynote pledge
of his campaign; AN efficient government.
economically administered \ survey of
the four years covered by the Davis admin
istration shows that this pledge was given
in good faith. and by man possessing the
force and the vision to translate high pur
pose into substantial accomplishment. I'm
der Governor Davis, economy has been made
complement of progress i'll the States af-
fairs; the exchange value Of the States dol
lar has been raised, both by restraint and
discrimination in spending.
Records in public. as well as private Of
flee, may be assessed intcllgcntly and fair
~ only by the measure of conformity to pre-
viously defined obligations. The Davis pro-
gram was well understood by tile people of
Virginia; it was approved by them at the
polls; and it has now been effected to Il
degree seldom equaled by the holder OF an
important public office. Efficient govern
mcnt. economically administered phrases
OF no special originality. and meaning little
or much, according to the honesty and
vision of the user-has become Il shining
reality in the public affairs of Virginia dur
ing the executive inCumbency now ending.
The efficiency of tho Davis administration
has not represented mere stand pntisn but
broad. sympathetic grasp Of governments
obligation To contribute in tho most cnlght-
cned manner to popular welfare The ocono-
my Of the Davis administration has not been
tho merely negative economy Of unsparing
retrenchmcnt but the constructive economy
that reflects wise spending no less than
judicious outstanding.
Within two months of the date which
he took Office, Governor Davis gained the
enactment of a budget law that has since
become model for a number OF other
States. That accomplishment will adorn his
record as stroke Of progressive statesman
ship. 1t constituted the foundation OF his
work for real economy. The people of Vir-
gnia have perceived from tho appropria-
tion bills of the General Assembly how di-
rectly the budget plan has laid the AK at
the roots of useless expenditure. In the
npportonment Of funds for the period OF
l92O-22, estimates submitted by the various
departments and Institutions pared
down by $3,000,00O without derimcnt to
efficient conduct. Provision for a net in
crease Of $l,000,O00 for the public schools
OF the State effected without an in
crease in taxes Appropriations recommend
cd by the retiring executive To the present
General Assembly reflect no less Significant
~ the effectiveness of the budget system
as means Of economical handling OF pub
liz funds
In the enactment of the state purchasing
commission law, the Davis administration
achieved another victory for economy Here
was applied again the accepted methods of
modern business, with the inevitable benefits
To the State treasury. The comparative saw
ing Of half a million dollars in The purchase
OF coal alone may be mentioned as an illus
trating item.
BY every test of modern thought no ac-
complishment OF the Davis administration
was more noteworthy than his vigorous re-
formation of the State penal system II has
been asserted, and with perfect safety that
Governor Davis introduced in Virginia one
of The most enlightened prison policies in
this country. Without giving away AT any
pCin' 10 more scntmentalsm. he has re-
shaped the States penal system on a basis
conforming To Enthusiastically sane and whole
some requirements Of modern social front
ment
y detailed enumeration OF the retiring
Governors accomplishments cannot be nm
oeriaken mere. The list is long and known
10 the thoughtful people OF the State. It
VIII secure to the man who surrcudors The
executive chair today distinguished uloce
III the history of the Commonwealth He
WI! he remembered and recorded as one
OF Nirginia's best Governors