of reliance on time-tested principle,” he said. Earlier in

of reliance on time-tested principle,” he said. Earlier in the week, former Gov. Mills E. Godwin, in his final speech to the General Assembly as governor, invoked his own feelings concerning November’s election. 4 He said “We could see m the returns from precinct after precinct that Virginia’s future wellbeing took precedence over partisan politics in the voting booth.” Gov. Godwin’s address to the joint session was a review of his last four years in office, as well as an overlook at his 30 years in state politics. Speaking before the joint session on Wednesday, the former governor, who is the only person to serve in that office twice (1966-1970,19741978) said, that in his first term the state took great strides in education and that the Commonwealth “could look back on an incoming wave of public affluence and expectations.”

He characterized the second four years of his administration by saying, "We find that wave has receded, leaving behind during these last four years a real threat of a deficit in our budgets; the first threat of cold homes and stalled automobiles; the first major contamination of Virginia’s waters; the first restrictions on the use of drinking water in many, many years and a succession of 10 major floods and seven minor ones.”

In presenting his budget for the next biennum, the retiring Governor asked for a 19.5 per cent increase in the general fond and a 16.6 per cent increase for public schools. He is also seeking a 17.4 per cent increase in state support for higher education.

Del. Alson Smith (DWinchester) said he was "generally in agreement” with the address. He said facetiously that he “hopes it is possible for educators to live within the budget he (Gov. Godwin) proposed.”

Republican Del. George Beard of Culpeper said he liked the speech and was glad to see a one-step cost of living increase for state employees included within it.

Beard said he was disappointed that Gov. Godwin did not address the state’s accelerated sales tax. ^ "1 came here to put in a bill against that,” he said.

The address showed a certain “hostility” to Metro, according to Del. Raymond Vickery Jr. (D-Fairfax). Vickery took exception to the former governor’s figure of state contribution to the rail system, saying that $90 million of that figure has not been transferred.

“We need to move forward. I took the meaning of his speech to mean that we maintain the status quo,” Vickery said. “I wasn’t pleased at all.” *

Del. Vincent Callahan (RFairfax) termed the farewell address a “realistic speech.”

“Some Democrats feel the need to discharge their duty by criticizing it,” he said.

Democratic Del. Dororthy McDiarmid, also of Fairfax, said that she was "depressed” by Gov. Godwin's posture towards Metro. She said that the $10 million will be released by Gov. Dalton, who assured Northern Virginia legislators of this during the campaign.