The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-03
Tho. conslition OF the state Treaaur5'


AUGUST l. 1873
10 TIE Richmond Dispatch K
Your work Of correcting the statements
of the Richmond Wig. IN regard 70 the
finances OF the State, seens to resemble
that OF S1syphus. Ihave been soreiy per
eplexed TO reconcile the statement OF the
editors of that paper in its issue OF sne JUL
Tultimo viz, that "they were not. experts
at figures n-with the fact, so apparent to
all. that their errors are all against the state.
The liabilities OF Che Commonwealth aFe all
mt TOO high, and its resources underesti-
mated by that Journal. AS it would not DO
TO doubt the sincerity OF these editors in
discIainine expertness, have been inclined
to the conclusion that 8. their modesty equals
their merit" and conceals from them Wnat
Is plain to oil the world besides. Had NOT
this paper been conducted by experts We
would certainly have had in its columns !, an
of Auditor Taylor's communication on ne
finances Of the State. and not q portion OF IL
merely. Had his tables OF figures oeen
given the public might have been apie 10
fudge Of. the correctness of bis estimates,
and ~ th. conclusions of the Wing there
from From what has been published 1t
seems that the Wing, in its eagerness to
chow the State bankrupt, has gone DOW
shot beyond the Auditor. In its issue OF
this morning the deficit for the fiscal year,
after deducting all assets, is put down at
81. 9G7, $685. 90. -.....,.
In order 10 arrive at this much desired
result the coupons which became due tue
1st OF July are added to the estimate OF cou,
pons previously due and not presented, an na
the school fund is estimated .at Solo,OVo
more than the Auditor himself STATES IL,
while only the estimate or the Auoitor Oh
revenue assessed and unsolicited Is aooeu
TO the amount in tue treasury, ieaVln@ OUT
of view the revenue constantly flowing into
Tho treasury from sources other than the
toy on nroperty assessed for 1878.
Rut how are we to account for the Whig'S
estimating against taxes collected by the
treasurer before the 1st OF July and not yet
mad in, the coupons which became due on
| that dav? Is it possible that the editors
don't know that these coupons can only be
used BY taxpayers, and for taxes coilectable
after that date?
Again, will that paper please explain bow
the coupons which became due from year
to year before July 1st4and were not pre-
sented, are to all come down in an avalanche
here upon the treasury before the end Of the
As to what ia due the schools it is safer to
trust the Auditor, who IS presumed 10 DC
nopoltician, than the organ OF the forclble
readiusters for, however honest the latter
may be, there is always danger in political
controversy that party men may see facts
through colored glasses.
AS 1882, 1926 OF these dues to the
schools are for arrearages previous to 1876,
and constitute no debt asalnstthe State, but
were made gift by the last Legislature to
the schools, to be paid when it was conve-
nient to the State to part with the money,
might not the Wing without too great
sacrifice OF its eXpertness deduct that
amount from the demands which must be
met during the fiscal year? When all these
corrections are made it is TO be hoped that
the State will be able to survive a while
longer, and need not in fact haze con-
yention to forcibly readjust public and pri-
yate debts for should that convention be
held, and fail to wipe oat both OF these
enemies Of sovereignty, it is greatly to be
feared that the venerable journal known as
the Richmond Wing will commit suicide
and cease 70 exist. CITIZEN.