Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-28

Rh'a's Deb, R.solntisn Dtfested-Mr. Fa
kersoh's scrip Bili-AppropriatioH BIZ
Matter or Ere. Passes for Judges and Lesl
laiers, Sc., &c.
The Senate met at ii A. M.-Lieu
tcnant-Goyernor Massey IN the chau
No prayer.
THEAUDITOR's OFFICE.
Mr.. Williams, from the committe
appointed to examine the Auditor
Office, submitted a report, in which b
says:
Owing 10 pressure OF other Legislative
duties and The magnitude and importance
Of the work, they have been unable TO ma k
thorough examination OF the Office. AM
Without having made such an examination
| they decline to make @ detailed report o
the condition OF the Office further than q
say thai their examination satisfied then
that the expert accountant now employed
| In the Office should be retained for the pre-
sent at least. and that another clerk be add
ed TO the Office to enable the Auditor q
accomplish the work much needed IN the
| Office. This, We understand. is also the re-
commendation Of the Finance Committee
SPECIFIC Information from this committee
was asked for by Senator Wingdeld. I'll.
Inquiries were referred TO the Auditor and
1
are hereby fled as part Of this report. The
Anditori in his answer says:
| In answer TO the in'errogatorles Rd
dressed 10 me this morning. J beg
leave 10 say that since 1869 las vel
as previous 10 that time) a general
ledger OF accounts has been kept in tbiS
office, which. lfproperly posted, shouldshow
the balances due 10 or from the Common
wealth. This ledger showsDo charge aga inst
CLERKS of courts OF taxes collected by them
fiom 1872 10 1854, nor against nOtares
pnblie for such taxes from 1873 TO 1854: and
no charge has been made therein against
banks. railroad companies, express compa-
nies telegraph. Insurance, steamboat, or
sewing companies from 1859 to
1854 OF taxes assessed against them.
and Tor which they were required TO
account directly 10 this Office. Of
course. therefore. this ledger did not
show how the accounts stood between the
| commonwealth and said parties during the
| periods named. TreasureTs were debited
! upon this ledger with taxes placed in their
hands for collection down to and including
! the taxes OF 1879. Balances have not been
l struck In these accounts OF treasuTers since
| september 80. 1874. IL is proper 10 say In
tDis connection that whilst the accounts OF
| treasurers have not been properly kept upon
| this ledger, they appear to have been care
| fully Bept upon what II known as the
| rough settlement book. which book has
| been relied upon in settlements with them.
! since my incumb mbency the clerk charged
! with that duty has kept proper accounts N
/ this ledger with clerks OF courts notsrlcs
banks, railroad, insurance, telegraph. teie-
| phone, express. and sewing machine COM
| pauies as well as with treasurers lie has
not, however. been able to complete the
| pOstiDg OF proper charges 10 treasurers for
the years prior 10 lcs4 so as TO strike the
balances required by the statute. II Is
heavy work, and he can only devote the
time TO IL I'm which he Is not engaged in
posting current transactions. 10 will be
completed at the earliest moment possible
annex statement showing the balance
due by each treasurer in the State on Sep.
tember 80, 1855, Uhe end Of the last fiscal
year, upon taxes OF 1883 and 1854. and Of
pay menis made since September 80, 1883
with memoranda Of credits TO which they
are entitled on account Of insolvents and
CellLquents, and Of judgments obtained or
suits Instituted against them. This state.
ment. } believe. completes the answers 70
Your Inquiries.
Here follows statement.
Laid on the table and ordered to be
printed.
AMENDMENTS AGREED TO.
Senate bills to amend, &C., an act for
the relief Of the sureties of Charles W.
Walker. late treasurer of Giles county.
and for the relief of Robert Hutchin-
son and George r. Land, administra-
tors of Samuel G.. Farrar, late treasurer
of the county Of Mecklenburg, which |
were passed by the House, with amend
ments, were taken up and the House
amendments agreed to.
Mr.. HEAToN's DEBT RESOLUTION. !
Mr.. Rhea, from the special Joint
Committee on the Public Debt, reported
Senate Joint resolution reiterating and
reafiirming the joint resolutions adopted
by the General Assembly Of IS83-'S4,
approved December 2I, 1888, declaring
the acceptance by the people of Virginia
Of the settlement Of the debt of the
State provided for by the act approved
July II, 1882, with an amendment
to strike out the last clause
Of the resolution, which requests the
Governor to call upon the taxpayers
and people of the State to refuse to ha-
rass ard embarrass the State by seeking
% use coupons in the payment Of
axes, but to pay their dues to the
Commonwealth in money.
SCHOOL-BOOKS AT COST.
On motion Of Mr.. Bibb the Commit
ee on Finance and Banks was dis
harged from the further consideration
f House bill to furnish textbooks to
ubiic free-school scholars at cost, and
be bill was placed on the calendar.
DfFORTANT BILLS REPORTED.
Among the bills reported from com !
littees were the following House bills
0 provide for the erection Of additional
uildings, &C., for the State Female
'oImal School, and to make an appro-
ration therefor ; to provide for the ,
ayment. of judgment recovered by .
ladison Flanagan against the Board Of !
directors Of the Central Lunatic Asy- {
I'm Of Virginia to provide that all +
hereafter chartered in this
tate shall pay their taxes in money or
'rfeit their charters Senate bill to ia
litate the settlement of the public
ebt Of the State under the act approved ?
ebruary II, 1882, and section 10 of ?
rticle y. Of the Constitution. Z
ROAD LAW FOR SCOTT COUNTY. Il
Mr.. Flanary moved to take up Senate a
II for the enactment of a special road r
W for Scott county, Va. Agreed to.
A number Of amendments were
lopted and the bill as amended or
red to its engrosSment and third p
aiding. >
HOUSE BILLS PASSED. "
To allow John W. Sturgis to erect o y
larf on AccOannock creek, in Ac- 8
mack county. u
For the relief of Thomas Spencer, - -
ministrator OF E. w. Couch, late "
,asurer Of Petersburg. VI VI
PLACED ON THE CALENDAR.
Mr.. Meredith presented bill, which
IS placed on the calendar, to incorpo-
e the Falls-Church and Washington n.
lepbone Company. -
ASSESSMENT OF TAXEs, &C.
MIR. Koiner, from the Committee on TO
lance and Banks, presented bill to fol
END sections 10, "A, 81, 81, 81, G4,
81, IS, l07, and los Of an act to VIC
wide for the aSeesSmant of tevau an -