Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-17

committee aiiudc principally 10 the sums
requisite for the payment OF assessors just
| mentioned for the erection and preservation
| oi the puolic arSenals; and tor tue gradual
eNtingulshmeut of the debts OF the common
wealth. These for the present year may be
| estimated at about 5 $4,000; no part OF which,
| except >eiy small part Of the last item, was
prior to the late war, cbargeabe on the rcvc-
nue.. The balance too, 1t Will be recoilected
! remaining III the treasury at the end OF The las
| fiscal year, amounted to but S 1904 a..
| Desirable, therefore, as il might be TO reduce
! the taxes, il is obvious that such measure al
This time would be highly ineypedient.
Most OF the c9arges, however, just mention
| ed, are ola temporary nature; the objects t.
| be attained by them contessediy of great mag
| ntude: add TO these considerations the pres
| ent prosperous condition OF the country, and
the relief derived to the people from the re cent
| repeal by congress of the internal taxes and
| II is believed the General Assembly could not
| err by continuing the taxes of the last year,
even IT they were likely TO produce more
ample revenue that can reasonably be expected
| from them.
The large appropriations for the public debt
VIII no longer he necessary after the year end
in. 30th September, 1926 provided a steady
application ct the sums now dedicated BY law
to that object, be made during the Intervening
period. Ofthose required for the payment of
assessors, and the building and preservation OF
arSenals, II is believed but small part, If any,
will be charged upon the revenue after the
ing year. The sale too, annually, of one half
OF the arms manufactured durisg each year at
the arinory, should the act which has recently
| passed the House of Delegaes take effect,
VIII, II is hoped IN future years, reimburse the
treasury large portion of the sums eNpend-
ed en- that Institution.
lu the medes thus pointed out the dsburse-
ments of the treasury will be gradually and con-
tinually lessened. On the other hand, the aag-
mentation of some branches of the revenue,
and the increasing wealth and prosperity of C.
very section of the country and every class of
It's citizens, must us constantly tend To in.
crease its receipts. And from the operation
OF all these causes combined II long period
cannot elapSe, before Il considerable reduction
Of the taxes may he effected and an adequate
revenue remain leaving untouched tie funds
devoted TO the internal Improvement OF the
country, aud to the still more sacred object of
educating its youth.
The committee have ascertained the balance
remaining in the treasury on the LIST day of ia.
nuary last. They find II amounted to 500
029, is, from which deduct S ZIG, PIG, SO belong
ing to The literary fund, aud there remains
, zS9,Si0 II, applicable TO the ordinary expen-
ultureS OF the commonw caIth "a sum exceed
IDg by nearly > $4,000, the balance AT the same
period IN any former year, and with the pro-
bable receipts prior 10 the first day of ctober
next, fully sufficient in the judgment OF the
committee TO detray all the expenses ct the
current year. NO increase of taxes therefore
would be necessary in their opinion, with
view 10 revenue merely. Yet they propose as
proper subjects of taxation, tue exhibitors of
shews, and the veAders of lottery tickets be.
longing te schemes OF lotteries, not authorised
by the president and directors of the literary
fund, The Legislature of this State. In reia-
ton to the vendors of such tickets, tie COM
mlttee do but repeat the recommendation al
ready made by the president and directors of
The literary fund, and by the board OF IeyiSorS.
The want of some provision i'll our laws ST.
miar to those in the laws of the general go-
vernment, prescribing the mode of drawing
pensions, leaves an opening, ii is reared, both
for spcculations upon the pensioner, and frauds
upon the commonwealth. To remedy this de-
feet III some degree, 1t is proposed that all
pensions shall IN future be payable half yearly,
anu that persons presenting powers ofattorney
to draw pensions, shall be required to make
oath that the sums to be received, are for the
sole use and benefit of the pensioner.
The committee are informed that the usual
appropriation of six Thousand dollars for the
lnnatic hospital is insufficient. They have,
therefore, included in their estimate an ad-
dition of one thousand dollars for this bene-
VIOLENT Institution. Should this sum be annual
iy allowed, and appropriated to tie improve
ment OF the interior of the building, il VIII suf
hce in a few years, as is represented TO the
committee, to render the accommodation for
the patients more extensive and more comfor-
table.
By the act creating fund for internal i'm
Provemenf, the orders OF the president and
directors of the board of public works, are
made payable al the treasury without passing
through the auditors office, as is usual will
all other drafts oil the public funds. With
view to produce uniformity i'll the statements
from the auditors and treasurer's departments,
your committee advise that such orders shall
in future be presented to the auditor, and that
lie be required to issue his warrants for the d.
mount thereof, OH the treasury.
The committee would further recommend,
that the auditor of public accounts in addition
to the duties now devolyed upon him by law
he required TO present to the General Assem-.
bly, at the commencement of every session
detailed report on the subject of finance, con-
tanning estimates of the public revenue and
expenditures, and piaus for improving or ill
creasing the revenue from time to time.
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.