Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-18
DEFArLTING sHERIFFS.


We copy by request, from the Examiner Of the Qlnd
u, the following report of the remarks ol Mr. Dckin.
son, Of Prince Edward pending the consideration 10 the
House of Delegates of bill to relieve the securities of
the Sheriff OF Norfolk county from the payment Of dam
ages adudged against them on account OF the default of
their prir cipal
Mr.. Dickinson opposed the passage of the bill. He
said the legislation of this session had nauguraed sys
ten OF relief for the securities of the deauluug Sherfs
which, in his judgment, was dangerous aud ruinous.-
He did not share in the reSpOnsibty-he had uniform
y opposed it, and should continue to do So We are
fast removing the safeguards which the wiser legislation
Of our predecessors had endeayored throw around the
public revenue, by Withdrawing the inducements which
the securities have for holding their principals TO the
prompt punctua and faithful discharge OF their duties
The balances due from the deiaulting officers have been
made the basis Of the Auditors estimates OF the incoming
receipts, TO the expenses and the existing
aud prospective Indebtedness of the State. In every
appropriation lavish they have been which this legis-
lature has made, with more than prOdigh hand these
judgments and estimated balances have been paraded
before US reliable TO meet in part these exrav-
agant appropriations And yet, day after day We have
been voug away the damages included in these iudg-
meats which are rs much part OF the Judgment debt
as the principal itself We seem to have constituted
ourselves into great eleemosynary corporation to
heve the dstresses rea apparently OF those who APP
peal to ympathies to discharge them from Oblga
tOns Voluntarily assumcd-at the very Time when we
to an alarming extent. With existing debt of more
than S31 900, have at the present session. made
addition al appropriations of about 900 more TO
which j. add the States share stOchtoder in the
James River and Kanawha Co. of the money authorized
to be borrowed OIL mortgage OF tie Companys works it
will be - or 10 001 900 more thus creating an indebt
edness the end Of which will be seen by our chill
dren nor our chldrens children.
hold in my hand a statement from the first auditors
Office which shows that thoro but counties in the
Commonwealth in which there has been default and
these deacatons amount in the aggregate upwards Of
SISSOO0 This statement may be, and have no doubt
is inaccurate in some respects; aud small balances are
reported in others may properly be regarded
defaclons In the case of the Sheriff of my own coun
ty there appears a small balance of about $3.50 when
in realty there was due him larger Tor insovent
tickets inadvertently paid into the treasury and which
he is entitled TO have refunded. Yet Notwithstanding
these small errors and accidental balances it does reveal
startling state Of things; to which most respectfully
invite the serious consideration of this House.
The statement to which have before referred shows
balance on the lst October last, due from the Sheriff.
of Sl7 2j9 90, on which Judgment has been Obtained
and which the auditor has listed assets and gentlemen
in advocating this bill have informed the House that
there i, still unpaid OF that judgment 81, 200 90.
We nave embarked upon line Of dangerous prece-
dents, the end of which | am unable to foresee And
whatever may be the judgment of the majority here this
system of legislation shall not so out to the country
without at least humble warning voice being raised
in solemn ard earnest protest against it.
At this session release the damages at the next
we NAV be asked 10 release the debt itself
Let Us beware, lest the of to-day may become
the controlling precednts of tomorrow. "Obsta prnci
piis" i. wise maxim, and respectfully commend it to
the consider alton Of this General Assembly.