Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-11-28
SENATOR BYRD'S
PLATFORM

candidate for the Democratic nom
nation for Governor. in the 1872
primary, Senator H. F. Byrd does nc
equivocate nor leave any doubt as t
" his position on the questions which az
vital to Virginia voters. As the can
paign progresses the candidate wi
elaborate on the outline Of his plat
form and those having the best intel
| est of the State at heart will do well t
follow the plans and purposes Q
Senator Byrd as Virginia's mex
executive.
| Senator Byrd's formal announcement
is as follows:
my record in the State Senate TO
the past ten years, which is general
known and is available to the public
makes it at this time unnecessary t
set forth in detail the policies which
have supported or opposed.
Under the budget law the duty il
imposed upon the Governors of Virgini:
to recommend to the General Assembl,
the appropriations for each biennium
This work my training as bushes:
man and my knowledge of State affairs
especially equips me, believe. to per-
form. Ipledge balanced budget by
which the expenditures will not ex'
coed the income, and every possible
economy consistent with the necessary
expansion ari progress Of the State in
the disbursement of the millions re.
quired for its activities.
81 will as the campaign develops
state my position on other public
questions, and particularly as to
equality Of taxation.
81 desire to say further at this time :
1.-I am not committed directly or
indirectly to any appointmentto office,
either federal or state. During the
campaign l will make no pledges of
any kind except publicly and to the
public.
of become the executive head
OF this commonwealth my constant
concern will be to execute all its laws
by vigorous enforcement.
''3.-There is no room for sectional
ism in Virginia. Every part Of our
Commonwealth is entitled to equal
treatment. The election of any man
to the office of Governor dedicates him
to the service of the whole State with
impartial consideration for no part Of ii.
Al have been since early youth
engaged in business and in my public
life / have endeavored always to apply
the lessons of my business experience
to public affairs. This experience
teaches me that progress is necessary
to life and health both in business and
in government but that progress must
be sought along sane and practical
lines, and expenditures even for de-
sirable objects should bear a reason
able relation to our resources and our
abilities to pay. No citizen of Virginia
desires more than I "a wholesome
progress in every branch of our varied
activities.
with all other patriotic Virginians l
have desired good roads and have
labored for them. Iconsider the
gasoline tax for road purposes
the fairest tax ever devised, as it
places the burden directly and pro-
portionately upon those who use and
injure our roads. 1t has the unusual
merit Of being collected at its source at
small cost, it is collected in full, and is
paid in part by foreign tourists. The
construction and maintenance of the
State highway system and the county
highway system Of farm-to-markei
roads are vital to the prosperity and
advancement Of Virginia. One pro.
vides main arteries Of travel and links
together the several sections of the
State, and the other enables the eco.
nomical transportation to the markets,
or shipping points Of the farmers pro
duce.
LAS one of the patrons of the law
establishing the State Highway sys
tenn, its early completion, soundly
Financed, will be my ardent desire
The reorganization highway law, O
which had the honor to be tn,
Senate patron, places direct respon
sibility upon the Governor for thu
Il efficient conduct of the State High
way Department in the construction
land maintenance of State roads.
elected, this responsibility l viii
earnestly endeavor to discharge. | fee
that will be aided in this importan
work by the practical experience
gained through ten years. service a
president Of the Valley Turnpik
Company.
4 "5.-I realize the enormous i'm
lportance Of universal and adequat
education. Every child in this Com
monwealth, however circumstance
should have free and full opportunit
for learning those things which will I
him or her for useful citizenship.
: adequate and appropriate care fc
the unfortunates in our eleemosynar
institutions is the sacred duty place
|. upon common humanity.
Il Public health work in this State
] now well established, and should b
g lentended and encouraged.
: ''If elected, it win be my anxior
, Iconcern to do everything humanl
! possible to advance the interest I
: tthese departments Of public welfare.
nI 's6.-The difficult task OF simpI
flying the operation Of executive go
: eminent and improving our tax systel
: should be taken up with courage an
0 Ienergy unnecessary offices and con
4 missions should be abolished and II
State government 30 organized that
Economics consistent with adequa'
. iservices can be enforced. The burde
OF taxes should fall as equitably
-Ipossible upon all sections and i