The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-04
LOCAL MATTERS.

Why JUICE CHRISTIAN DECLINED TO SIGN
THE COMMISSIONERS PROPERTY Books The
property-books Of the Commissioner OF the
Revenue were detained this year about five
weeks, owing II Is understood to the extra
work put upon him by the last Legislature !;
Increasing bis work one third. In conse-
ouence OF this The collection Of taxes has
been long DELAYED, and before the collector
could get the books lbe judge OF the Hust-
ings Court had to pass upon them. Judge
Christian felt that he could not attach his
certificate to the books, as required by law,
until they were properly examined by him,
and he was prevented from making this ex-
animation by reason Of the shortness OF the
time. and made the following endorsement
on the books:
State of Virginia, City Of Richmond-to
nit:
4, George l.. Christian, Judge OF the
Hastings Court of said citv, do hereby cer-
tify that, as required by the act approved
March 8, 1880, entitled an act In relation to
the assessment OF personal property, and
prescribing certain duties and Liabilities OF
commissioners OF the revenue and other
officers, and to repeal sections GO, 67,
6s, 90. and 20 OF chapter 206. Session
Acts 1S74-'75, the foregoing property book
was delivered to me by the Commissioners
OF the Revenue for said city on Friday the
29th day OF October, 1880, just two work.
ing. days before the commencement OF The
November term Of my court; that other
terms OF my court are fixed by law 10 be-
gin on the first Monday in each month OF
the year, except the months OF August and
September Qhere being no term held in Au-
gust, and the September term commencing
on the Goth OF the month to allow a
much reeded rests that the sessions
OF the court aud the other judicial
duties connected with my office consume
nearly the whole OF my time during the
year; that to perform the duties contem-
plated OF me by said act of March 8, 1880,
1rhich are uhOily ministerial, in addition to
the judicial labors already required by the
Constitution and laws OF the state ana
United States, would be simply an lmp0SSt-
btu; that the duties required OF me by said
act are inconsistent with the jurisdiction OF
nv court, as prescribed by article W., Sec
tion 14th. OF the Constitution OF the state.
and that said act is therefore plainly uncon-
stitutionaI in this respect; that L have been
informed by the Assistant Treasurer OF sald
city that he has already been delayed three
weeks i'm the collection OF the taxes OF the
State by reason Of failure to get the land
and property-books earlier, and that he cam
not commence collecting until said books
have been officially delivered to him by me !;
that on comforting with the Auditor OF PUP
lie Accounts, he fully concurs with me IN
the opinion that it would be pny-
sical impossibilty for any one to per-
form the work prescribed by the act CT
March 8, 1880. in addition to the other du-
ties required OF me by law. and that 1t Is
best to deliver the books to the treasurer
with this statement than to delay him in the
collection Of the revenues OF the State for il
long and indefinite period in futile at
tempt to perform manifest impoSSidatty.
With all respect for the legislative depart
ment OF the government, and with an earn
est desire to perform every duty which any
law enacted by it imposes on me, | feel
compelled to return this book without sign
ing the certificate annexed thereto, simply
because do not know, and, for the reasons
before stated, cannot ascertain, that the Iacts
embraced in il are correct.