The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-07

Il.
ssnal asaessment can be obtained through
local assessors. A given SUM OF money
must be raised by taxation ana ~ th.s rs
h mattnrs not ,wheti1eE the valuation upon
which the tax Is levied be high or low, pro-
ysded always that 1t be equai-~so tnat uol-
lar OF property In orc portion OF tne Com-
mon wealth shall be taxed for precisely tne
! same amount "a every other dollars Wortn
In every other portion Of IT. aud no more.
; II Is to bis Interest, provided equa,lIy 10
upiverpali7 observed, that his property be
assessed at its real value, because, under
our present laws, It cannot DO sold Tor his
old Judgment debts at less than. three
| fourths Of its assessed value; and II the
sale be voluntary, the assessed valuation Is
| the criterion which all purchasers, more OF
! less, observe and this equality would OBJ
| tain IL the Constitution was rightfully en-.
forced. "T1xalion shnll be equal and
,.hlltrln," and no real property :" shall be
assessed above or below its value" are
| the cIearlv-expressed mandates OF the
Constitution. Enforce the latter, and no
| difficulty will arise es 70 tho former. But
how to enforce lt-how to secure lust and
cHual assessment of property, neither
above nor below its yalue-is a question
beset with grave difficulties, which have
been much discussed by statesmen and
Legislators, but no entirely satisfactory
solution ever yet attained.
The nearest approach to 1t has been found
III State boards OF equalization. In many
of the States provision is made in their
Constitutions for such boards, While In
others they are organized by legislative en-
actments. The organization Of such q
board il o,ir State is imperatively de-
handed, and that too before the levy Of the
next years taxes. No tax can be levied
and collected upon the basis of our present
assessment which will be equal and uni
form, and which will not affect uniustly
many portions Ct The Commonwealth.
Bould, therefore, respectfully recommend
that law be at once passed providing fol
the appointment OF three gentlemen OF pro-
bity, and experienced men, who are above
and superior to local or sectional prejudicef
or influences, who shall constitute State
board for the equalization of assessments
OF the real estate in the State, and who
shall forthwith enter upon the discharge OIL
their duties. If such O board be promptly
Iorganized, 1t can complete its la0ors and
report to the Auditor in ample time to pre-
vent any delay in the levy and collection Of
taxes upon real estate for the coming year
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The reports of our three insane asylums,
i the Eastern, Central, and Western, as vel
as that Of the Institution for the Deaf
dumb, aud Blind, which are herewith
Submitted, exhibit q most satisfactory con-
idition of affairs in each one Of them. They
challenge comparison with any institutions
of like character in the country. The West
ern, under its able superintendent, still
maintains its character as one OF the frs
institutions of its kind, and the Eastern
never In its history attained to the position
lit now occupies. It's capacity for useful
ness has been largely increased the pas
Lyear by the addition of new buildings.
The Board ask for an appropriation t.
provide heating apparatus, which J
think should be granted. The Central II
accomplishing more for our c0lored insane
than could have been reasonably anticipa
, ted.
| believe 1t to be the first institution O
Tits kind established In the United States
1.-THE report of the superintendent ant
hoard of directors Is worthy of your care
full perusal. The accommodations for TIT
iwbite insane, notwithstanding the enlarge
ment of the Eastern Asylum, are still in
sis flicient for the reception and care OF al
/ those thus unfortunately afflicted IN TN
State. During the last fiscal year 81. A39 o.
: was expended i'll the support OF the insane
RI One or both of our present asylums mus
/ | be enlarged, or new one erected. Th'
Western mas sufficient capacity for the &C
, communication of over 500 patients, and tn!
, Eastern, with the recent additions, fol
taho1lt 275. The latter asks for an appro
; | nrjation for still further enlargement
cannot recommend this OF the enlargement
!, of the Western. There is limit 10 human
capacity, aud | am convinced that botf
these asylums can now accommodate Gil tbt
patients that any one MN, 10 matter Wha,
his capacity, can properly attend TO. liz
nv opinion, If We make any further eXpen
ditures whatever in this behalf, 1t would be
wiser to erect new asylum. our State Is
naturally divided into three sectlons-VIz..
I1iiewater, the Valley, and the Southwest
The two former have each an asylum ample
for the accommodation of all patients in
their respective sections, but the Southwest
has none. In fact, there is not state insti
tuition OF any kind located sou-h of The
James river. When this fact is taken into
consideration, and the further fact that this
section constitutes The larger portion OF The
State, and that from the peculiar location
/ of large part of it transportation OIL
patients 10 either Of the now established
asylums is very considerable item OF ex
pense, together with climatic and other
reasons, it appears TO me that we must be
convinced Of the propriety and justice, L
not necessity, of establishing another asy'
/ Ium at Lynchburg or some other point
| equally accessible TO that portlon 81 TIE
State.
The same amounts which would be re-
uuisite for the enlargement of either Of the
| other asylums would be amply sufficient fol
a commencement of a new asylum, to be
added to from year to year as the increasing
wants of our growing population may re
ouire, and the additional expense of sup
porting the increased number Of patients
would be OF little If any greater amount al
the new than at the old asylums.
PENITENTIARY.
The report of the Board of Directors ant
officers of the rentcntiary exhibits {
marked Improvement In the affairs Of tina
institution. This is due In very large mea
sure to the energy and capacity Of The OH
GERS. and the fidelity and honesty will
which they have discharged their respective
duties. cordially endorse the recon-
mendation of the board and superintendent
for the extension Of the prison accommoda
because Of the facilities It will afford il
keeping separate the different classes O
ic0nYicts.
This can be accomplished without heavy
Iexpense by the use Of the materials Of thu
old workshops and the labor of the con
victs. Tn summing up the cost to the Stat
OF the pententiary during the past fisca
year there should be added the sum o
$40, S20.50 for the salaries of the eXterio
guard, teamster, engineer, and the guard
OF the convicts employed upon the Capito
Square-all of which WAS paid out Of tn
civil contingent fund and there should b.
deducted from the credits S3,273 for labo
at the penitentiary and at the armory. TIL
1 total cost of this institution for the las