Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-01-29

n Yesterday 'he tiohse received the following
Accounts: "N
Auditors Office, Jan. 27tk, 1920.
SIR: j have The honor 10 transmit
herewith, an estimate of The receipts into
the treasury, for the fiscal year ending
The 30ih day of September next: and am
estimate of the public expenditures for
The same period. II will be seen that n
balance Is estimated TO be against the
revenue, amounting 10 S IS, 1893 ga de-
hcii, which must be supplied, either bv a
resort TO increased taxation, or a reduc.
lion IN some oi The items of expenditure.
lhc new assessment of the lands the
revision OF the laws, and the increased
compensation TO most of The public ser.
wants, with other causes, have mul,iplipd
The necessities Of The stale, and created
newdemands upon The public resources.
IL VIII be Tor The wisdom of The Leyis.
faiure 10 decide, whether at This time.
additional bHrthens can be imposed. or
ilie appropriations OF fhe year diminished
TO the amount Of its iucome.
The Board Of Principal Assessors not
having yet completed the important and
iaborious work contded 10 them, can
MOI at Tins time, furnish The Legislature
WIN ihe aggregate valuation Of real pro.
perry under the new assessment. bnt
will avail myself of the earliest moment
TO com nunicate the result, when Obtain.
ed.
One OF the hrmest pillars of the pros
peritys OF Tie state, is 10 be found in the
promptliude and vigor with which its
revenue laws are executed. The defects
generally incident 10 their operation. can
only he discovered by repeated obserya-
non and experience. But there are some
imperfecilons so obvious, that | cannot
decline suggesting them 10 The Leyisla-
lure, mat The proper remedies NAV he
speedily aud effeciualIy applied. By the
ltih section of the act relating 10 the aa-
p0lntment and duties of sheriffs. (see vol
l. New X. Code, page 27sl The clerks Of
The county and corporation courts are
directed TO transmit 10 the Auditor am
aiiested copy of the sheriff's bond for the
collection OF the public taxes. In manv
instances the clerks neglect this impor-
lam duly, by reason of which, the ne
hai'ies denounced against delinuueH,
sherlffs are evaded, anu the collection Of
the public revenue defeated. Some pro-
vision lnfilctiDg fine upon the clerks
Tor failure, and authorizing its enforce
menl IN a summary way in The general
court, seems 10 be indispensabIy neces.
sary.
would also recommend provision
ny raw requiring more effectually the
clerks oil regimenfai courts iof enquiry.
10 transmit 10 The Auditor, lists of ali
claims upon the militia fine fund. allowed
by their respective courts. The eIanse
I'D the militia law on that subject as /,
infllcls no penalty on the clerks for ney-
iect, Is imperative, and it is not improba-
Ole, that Tor want OF such lists, with which
10 compare the claims as they are present.
ed, compensation may have been somr-
times made Tor the same services more
man III, once, and paid out of The public
reasury, without the possibility of de-
'ection. l find too that certificates of
allowance oil very old date are freouep,.
Up brought in. Would il no, be nroner
10 NIX by law Limitation TO these claims
ana likewise 10 prescribe a period. within
winch The officer collecting militia fines
shall return lists of insoyenis. bo,b IN
lhe court of enquiry, land this department
10 De entitled 10 credit therefore, Tie
ID" on inns subject at present, as / I'm.
iersiand II, is vague and uncertain.
a sum not incOnsiderable might he
annually saved TO the commonwealth. Inv
All amendment 10 the 3Ist section of The
aw concerning free persons charged will,
crimes, Il vol. New Rev. Code page 6Os.l
nal section provides, that where tho
prisoner Is CONNECTED, and able to nan ,he
haTgeS Of prosecution, The same shall he
Idld out OF lis estate, and directs the
auuitOr 10 tranrmli accounts of sucb
.harges TO The sheritfs for collection
he courts III certifying expenses incur-
'ed III criminal prosecutions. never dis
inguIsh, such as arise i'm cases of CON.
.lc'iol where The party convicted is sol
.en' rom nose OF contrary character,
mo IL is therefore impossible for the Az
Nor 10 comply with the requisilion Of
ne law. The rxpediency of reauiripg
he courts 10 make such distinction in al
heir certificates Of allowance for crimi-
raj charges, IS respectfully suggested.
:. Ii is made tile duly of the Auditor IN
iIgesi, prepare, and lay before the Gene
al Assembly, detailed report on The
uDlect OF finance. | mnsi offer as an
Ipology for declining tile performance of
ne duty at this time, my recent intro
lnctIon INTO the department | have The
'0nor 10 NIL, and ibe, perpetual occupation
u my lime III The discharge Of its ordi-
'ary business. Al a season of greater
eisnre, ! shall direct my attention parti.
;ularly TO his subject, and my labors snch
IS ibey are, shall he always willingly d.
oted 10 the public service.
have the honor 10 be.
sir, with high respect,
Your Obedient servant.
JAMES f. HEATH, auditor.
10 the HOnOrdbie Speaker
~ the HOuSe Of Delegates.