South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-01-19


for correcting this evil. recommend
that provision be made for the collec-
ton OF delinquent taxes by persons 9TH
CT than the sheriff; that libepal commits
sion be allowed them. and tina. the a.
mount SO allowed, be charged up against
the sheriff. as penalty for his failure
to collect where practicable. This will
make it his interest to collect as closely
as possible; under tie present system
there is n temptation 20 return as ,.ein.
quent. taxes difficult Of collection. You
will also see from the Auditors Report
that there remained due on the first of
October last. from the shcriffs, on the
taxes OF 1875, the snm OF $il7,346.1O.
it should be made the imperative duty
Of the Auditor 70 cause s1it 70 he brought
against sherifrs and their surcties in u
reasonable time after default in pay.
mcnt. Let it DO known that suit will
uncrringly he instituted, and shcriffs can
moro readily collect; their sureties can
the better protect themselves against
loss, and tho revenue will be more
promptly paid. Low taxes, rigid col.
Ice i'm, and stringent: means for secur.
ing payment, will in the end prove best
for all parties concerned as well as the
people ut large.
The law defining where suits for the
recovery OF claims due the State, must
be brought, is somewhat confused, If
not uncertain. The second section of
chapter thirty-ivc or the Code, which
provided that such suits might be brought
either at the seat OF government, or in
the county where the defendent resides,
was so amended by chapter nincty.Gvc of
the Acts or 1928, as to require them
TO be brought only in the county where
the o,fcndant resides. At the same
time chapter one hundred and nine Of
the same Acts was passed with the view
oil eftectng the same result, although in
terms IL did not amend chapter one hun.
dred and twenty-three of the Code
subsequently chapter one hundred and
nine of the said Acts was repealed. and
chapter one hundred and twenty-three
OF the Code. was substantially re.enact.
ed by chapter one hundred and ninety.
seven of the Acts Of 1923. Therefore,
as the matter now stands, n suit on
behalf Of the State. under the provisions
OF the last named act, may be brought
In the county in which the seat of govern
ment is, but by the provisions of chap.
ter ninetyhve of the act OF 1928 il
must be brought in the county where the
defendant resides. / therefore recon-.
nerd tho repeal of chapter ninety-iive
OF the Acts OF 1923, and the restora.
tion oftAe provisions OF the Code on the
subject, and also that all such suits
brought and now pending in other coun-
ties may be transferred TO the circuit or
county court of the county in which the
seat o: government is situated. The
Tact that the Attorney General cannot
attend to these cases il they are TO be
brought in the different counties, and
that the necessary evidence 10 support
the claims is 10 be found in the execu.
tive offices, seem TO be conclusive rea.
sons for restoring the old law.
80 1t is evident from the state OF tho
Treasury that appropriations for the
present year must either be kept down
TO the lowest limits practicable. or there
must be slight increase in taxation
In the present depressed state Of bust
ness [ recommend the former policy. L
believe that some reductions may be
made in the public expenditures, if ex-
listing laws which authorize them, be SO
modified as to bring about this result.
Heretofore Legislatures have thought il
sufficient TO reduce appropriations when
they desired to diminish expenditures.
but this alone will not accomplish the
purpose, the laws under which the dis.
bursements are made, must also be
modified, otherwise the desired end can.
not be attained. Invite your attention
TO this subject, believing that something
may be gained in the direction of e.
economy.
The Directors OF the Hospital suggest
IN additional tax of three cents on the.
hundred dollars, tho proceeds thereof
TO be applied to the further construction
OF the Hospital For reasons elsewhere
stated, L am not prepared to concqr in
this recommendation.
During the last fiscal year it became
my duty TO fill by appointment the va
cancy that had been made in the office
OF Treasurer, and the appointment was
conferred upon :. Brady, OF Wheeling,
WHO has not only faithfully discharged
his duties, but who, by his urbanity and
promptness in business, has given very
general satisfaction.
During the last year the Merchants
Bank OF Charleston failed 20 pay checks
drawn upon il, anil they were protested,
suit was brought on It's bond aud iudg.
ment was rendered against tie bank for
about $4,000, bot the case was contin.
ued as 10 thn surcties. While it is hop.
ed that ultimately there will be no loss.
yet tho fact that so large debt is sus.
pended must he taken into coHsidera.
tion in all financial calculations.
TIKI HOSPITAL TOR TIE IysNyE.
II will be seen from the report 9th
directors Of tho Hospital for the Insane
that on the 3Olh Of September, 1875.
there we're $40 patients and on the 3Oth
OF September, 1876. 397 patients in the
hospital. The fret section north Of the
center building, has been entirely com.
pletcd. and the building erected for the
coiorcd insane, is nearly ready for oc.
cuDatiOn. Notwithstanding the incrcas