Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-14
What Is the Proper Remedy?

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The legal maxim that "where there
is a wrong there is remedy" may
find its application in considering the
question now confronting us as to the
proper remedy for the wrong inflicted
on the State Of Virginia blythe recent
" coupon" decisions Of the Supreme
Court. There is a suggestion made
editorially in the Dispatch Of the Sd
instant which strikes me fayorably,
and if, as you say, it is entirely practi-
cable, it seems to me that it ought to
be tried by all means. The suggestion
is that all taxes be made payable
quarterly. But in order to make the
experiment a success it should be
done in connection with some better
method than we now have Of holding
the county and city treasurers and
other officers who have the cOllec-
ton Of the public revenue to a
stricter accountability for the faith
full collection and prompt pay
ment of the taxes. No one who
has paid any attention to this subject
can have failed to see that a large num-
Der of our county treasurers condu&s
their offices not so much with reference
to the public interest as to making
themselves popular, and thus securing
their own reelection, There is large
class Of these officers who are noto'
riously and incurably incompetent,
many Of whom have deputies equally
incompetent. The reason for this Is
to be found in the demoralizing effects,
especially under the Malone regime, OF
making county offices the reward of
partisan political services. But when
to incompetenc is added want of in
tegrity, besides an utter carelessness of
the public interests, the case has be.
come wellnigh hopeless, unless some
means are resorted to Of periodically
looking into their operations. The old
adage that" short settlements make long
friends " is as true here as it is certainly
true in mercantile and other business
transactions; but some legislation may
be necessary TO secure and make eili-
cient these short settlements on the
part Of county treasurers and other
officers who have the collection of the
public revenue. A bill or resolution
Of inquiry has been presented to the
General Assembly which, | think,
would 90 far to correct the existing
eyil-viz., the appointment OF board
Of experts to examine periodically the
treasurers' and clerks offices all over
the State, who will be empowered to
make searching examination of their
books and see how far these officers
are discharging their duty faithfully,
and make frequent reports to the Gov
srnor and First Auditor of the result
of such examinations. This board
should be appointed by the Governor,
to whom they will be immediately
responsible, and should be COM
posed of men who are good
accountants and oil large experience,
who will do the work thoroughly and
promptly. Especially is such experience
required in the examination of the
clerks offices, many of which have fallen
into the hands Of persons who are ut
terly incompetent, and who have
allowed the papers and business Of their
offices to get into state of deplorable
confusion.
The foregoing is offered as in some
sort an enforcement Of your views as to
a Proper remedy and as likely to pro-
duce good results in both directions
not only in dealing with the coupon
question, but in securing prompteT
collection of the taxes and other dues to
the Commonwealth. OBSERVER.
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