Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-12-15
It appears to me that all cases Of petit

deadly weapon-in fact, all crimes of les
ser grade than felony-should be summari-
ly tried by a justice Of the peace, with or
without jury, at the option Of the sccursed,
reserving, Of course, the right Of appeal to
the county court upon questions Of law; and
in cases Of conviction the punishment infict-
ed to be a fine, or Imprisonment in the
county jail, or hard labor upon the public
roads Or elsewhere. Message of 9th Feb.
ruary, 1900
Now, if the suggestions herein made for
economizing and retrenching our expendi-
lures are carried into practical operation,
and they are all susceptible Of it, it will be
found that 100000 will be ample to meet
the current expenses of the State Govern
ment, including legislative expenses. Add
to this sum the annual interest of 81 $780,
600, and we have the sum Of So, 220 900,
which it will be necessary to realize annually
from taxation, aside from what may be ap-
propriated for school purposes. The Treas
urer reports the receipts from all sources
the last fiscal year at $2,7S1, 1851, 94, and
the expenses for all purposes at 81, $685.
1852, O8-showing balance of receipts over
expenses of 1923, 699,S6. I have shown
that the expenditures, aside from the appro-
priation for school purposes, can be reduced
to 100000, and add to this the amount
expended for school-viz., 1892. 000-it
would only make the sum of $685. 900,
which would, on the basis of last years rev.
enue, leave balance Of 81, 799, 1851 81 "a
sum amply sufficient to meet the interest up
on the public debt. But I do not suppose
that the receipts of the last fiscal year are a
correct criterion by which to juj4 e OF the
present or next year. The Audita SIT
mates the total receipts from all source the
present fiscal year at $2,213 1872, II, and
the total expenses at S3,020,000; but in
the latter estimate he includes $780,
600 of interest upon the public debt and
$500, 900 of current expenses of Govern
ment, 1887 ,664. As for school purposes, in
all 81 1877, 1854, As more than I do, and Of
that sum 100000 may be thrown oui Of
our calculations provided the Recommended
tions herein made are adopted by TIE Gen
esal Assembly. Then, too, his estimate Of
receipts does not include any, or, if any, an
inconsiderable amount of, revenue to be de-
rived from railroad and other corporations,
which ought to amount to very consldera-
BILE sum. Two years. taxes are now due
and uncollectod from all of the most impor-
tant railroads in the State. Some few of
them shield themselves under some pretenee
of exemption from taxation by their charters,
and others have no excuse at all
know Of no reason why corporate prop
erty should be any freer from the burthen
necessarily imposed for the support Of -rv-
eminent than private proparty, especially
the support Of that Government b. w':ose
fiat they exist and their property protected,
and the chief burthen undor which it lahors
having been imposed for the purpose of Gre
ating the very property now used and own
ed by them. l know of no good reason why
my property should not be taxed equally
with my neighbours, whether have i in
vested like him in real estate in my own
name, or in property with others under
corporate name If the property Of any of
these corporations is exempt from taxation
by the terms of their charters, the Legisla-
ture which granted such charters acted very
unwisely, and you can in no way more prop
erly or more acceptably to the people mani
fest your wisdom than by at once repeating
that clause of the same. IF, after this is
done, they still resist-still refuse 10 deal
justly with the Commonwealth-plaoa he
subject at issue before the courts. cant ct
believe that the judiciary will for one 'ao-
ment lend any countenance to such injus-
tice. There is another mode of reaching
these rich and powerful corporations, which
can be made effective in compelling them to
pay the same taxes upon their property
which is paid by private citizens, who, Of
course, are less powerful and less able, and
less unwilling. to meet the just demands of
the Government which shields and prot els
them. But prefer at present to adopt the
course indicated and only to take the otbe:
as dernier resort. If the taxes are rigid
ly collected from the corporations of the
State, and the suggestions which the Audi
tor makes, and which most heartily ap-
prove, to increase the taxes upon oysters
and upon the manufacture end sale Of ardent
spirits, and for stamp tax, and an eqaali'
zation of the assessments Of real estate be
made, and the adoption Of the econ omical re-
forms suggested, [ am confident that VIC
shall be able to meet the current expresses
IF the Government end pay the interest on
OUR public debt promptly as it falls due, as
we'll as to afford a reasonable amount OF id |
% our school system. The Treasurer re-
ports a balance an hand the LIST instant TO |
he credit of the Commonwealth of 81 ,52l.
534, IA, and this sum will probably be i'll
creased to 81, 100000; and if the the past
lue taxes from corporations should be paid
n, this will be increased TO $4,000, 900 on
he LIST of January, 1872. On that day
here will probably, as before stated, be in
crest due On about $4,000, 600 of funded
lebt, requiring 100000 to meet it. After
his payment there will still be balance in
he treasury of from 81, 900, 900 to 81 ,2oO,-
100, with which to meet current expenses,
Is we'll as the January interest on bonds
Jet to be funded and the interest due July
1872. While I believe that our affairs
IAN be SO managed as to avoid the necessity
If any temporary loans, nevertheless l deem
The Auditors suggestion prudent and wise !
o authorize the proper officers to make tenn
,orary loans, Il any should be required,
,ledging, if need be, the bonds held by ihe |
Of the sinking fund. ip the
estimates and calculations ! have made
nave allowed sig per cent. interest on the
whole sum, whereas a considerable ampapt
the sterling bonds) draws but five per |
cent, and while I have not sought to DC
strictly correct, it will be found on investl-
cation that my estimates and calculations
vary but little il at all from strict accuracy
I am much gratifed at being able to lay be-
fore you so favorable an exposition Of our
4 ncial condition and with hninr able To