The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-12
wEpNHspAY. FEBRUARY 70. Is9O.
rnE SPIRIT OF PUBLIC ECONOMY.

rHF SPIRIT OF PUBLIC ECONOMY.
At no period of her past history has
Virginia been lacking in SONS who were
prepared, when the exigencies OF the
situation demanded it. to show the
highest capacity for public affairs, in
times Of great trial her public men
have always exhibited the qualities
which the stress Of the occasion called
for. and if the course Of the public
business has in recent years run con-
trary to sound policy, it has been due
to influences springng from the shsrsc-
ter Of our suffrage. which could not
be controlled by the most respectable
citizens of the State. The day when
ignorance and venality could shape the
destinies Of Virginia without check,
even for a brief period. has happily
passed, and it is not likely that the
element now in power will a. an early
day loosen its hold upon the reins OF
the public administration. Upon the
maintenance of its supremacy depends
the prosperity Of the Commonwealth.
Never before, probably, were the
duties incumbent upon the representa-
tives in public life, of the controlling
element in the States 80 plain and com
monplace. although these duties have
rarely been more vital in their i'm
portance. Those members of the Legis-
lature who are specially and honorably
anxious to win very high reputation
by their participation in public affairs.
have but two means which their ambi-
ton can employ with a view to the ad-
vancement both of tho public interests
and Of their own political standing.
These means are not such as to attract
the attention Of the general public to
any remark able degree. They are, first
the devising Of schemes to reduce the
public expenditures, and, secondly, the
formation Ct plans to increase the pub
lie revenues. The first is undoubtedly
the ono that is most readily turned to
account, il being, on the whole, much
easier thing to point out how expenses
can DO curtaled than how 4 larger sum
of money can be raised.
The history Of the present Leesla-
ture probably shows the presentation Of
greater number Of bills looking to
reduction Of public expenditures than
the history Of any previous Legislature,
and this wise spirit of economy, 30
prevalent in the General Assembly, has
deserved the highest praiss. The bile
that have been brought in, and the res
olutious that have been offered, this ses-
Sion, as the result of this prevailing
spirit, have covered almost the whole
ground of the State 8 outlay for public
purposes. and, as time goes on, this COM
mendablc spirit seems to grow rather
than decline in strength. The rssolu-
tion Of Mr.. Mason, Of King George, Of
fered in the House of Delegates on
Monday is but the contamination of all
the bills and resolutions Of the same
general character that have preceded
it, for it calls upon the committee APP
pointed 10 look into the criminal ex-
penses Of the State with view to cur
failing them, TO examine further, for
the same purpose, into the expenses CT
every department Of the government.
hue ststesmanship just now lies in
this special course Of public conduct.
70 reduce public expenses to the lowest
point consistent with the public vel.
fare is now tho matter with which leg
islatiye ingenuity should be most
closely engaged. II seems common
place occupation to men eager to win
their political spurs, but it is not the
loss important for that reason. So far
there has been little activity among the
members of the General Assembly IN
finding new sources Of revenue, closer
attention having been paid to the means
Of reducing expenses than to the means
Ol iulti-k outitiVuai it'tuues Aho tiiucs
are ripper for tho former than for the
latter.
The new assessment will have TO be
looked to principally for an increase in
the income Of the state. The proba
bility is that all the cities will show a
very great advance in taxable values.
while the farming sections will show
marked decline. Ii remains to be seen
how far this probable decline in the
agricultural portions OF the State will
be offset by the mineral and nsuutsc
turing development that has been going
on elsewhere. 1t 10 earnestly 10 be
hoped that this decline will be less. and
this development greater than there il
reason to anticipate at the present time.