Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-13


first function IL TO enact general laws for
the people. Heretofore In Virginia very
large portion OF the session OF the Lesis-
lature has been spent In conEiderlng anc
passing private acts. TO the neglect Oh
general legislation, and the valuable time
| Of that body, which Is limited. being
thus consumed In considering business In
| which the general public had no int
rest The peoples money mas Deeh spen'
| for the benefit OF private individuais
and corporations, and the business OF the
State became a secondary matter. and
had TO await the consideration and COM
pIetion of the private business, which
could be better disposed Of by the courts
| OF the country The State Is taxed 70
nav the cost OF legislation. which should
| be paid for out OF private pockets and
| the work done In the courts OF the
counties in which the parties reside. Inc
evil results of this have been seen foi
years Laws have been passed 10 pre-
vent II, but they have proved OF nc
avail
The legislation OF the last few years
will show that out Of 1900 pages OF acts
| In 1890 l0i3 were private, ana ..
pages were public acts. More than three
| fourths OF the legislation was for loca
/ and private purposes. In the year'
| ls9l-'g2 there were l,l45 pages or acts
passed The law separating the specia
acts was repealed. and we do not know
what was the exact number OF eacn. ou'
we believe the proportion 10 be abort ,h'
| same for the last two sessions
| II the expense Of legislation be proper
/ toned in the same way, we Will save tC
| the State a large amount.
THE ACTS SHOULD BE SEPARATED
The law TO consolidate the special ans
| general legislation should be repealed
! because the volume f. so large and incon
venient. 1t hides the few general laws
/ of the State among a mass OF private
acts.i In which the public has no int
rest. The index is hurriedly prepared
/ and. therefore, necessarily defective anC
! IL becomes a task to find out what L
! the law upon a particular subject ~
acts passed for the general good shoul'
| be placed together In the first part OF th'
volume, and the private and local acu
/ at the end Of the volume.
! | would advise that an act he passed
1 TO tax every private bill and every specla
/ bill the object Of which Is the asking OIL
relief OF the Legislature. when equal re
! lief could be given by the courts; ana theS
/ should be taxed To the full extent or th'
! cost to the State necessary for It's passage
bv Ahe General Assembly. and Tor lt'
printing and binding. To prevent TINS
/ kind Of legislation law was passed SOM
years ago, but no penalty was altached
/ and Il has proven inefficient. II the pro
| nosed law Is passed | am satisfied 1t vii
save considerable sum to the state II
! exnenses. IL will prevent the time an'
minds Of the members from beng occu
pied by other than public business so una
/ more attention can be given 10 supJecu
of general legislatlon-all Of which Il
greatly to be desired
DO OUR TAX-LAWS AS ENFORCED
MEET THE REQUIREMENTS
Who believes that all the property II
the State. both real and personal u
taxed when il is shown that there Is suci
n difference between the taxable Values
real and personal property. Does II no
| demonstrate either that a large proportion
Of personal property escapes the cominis
| sioncr or that II has been assessed heloV
rs value? Is il not then the duty or TN
legislature to examine into these ques
| tions at once and to pass such laws ~
will remedy the existing evil? Ihat "hici
Is overtaxed by an unjust assesstn9n
should at once be relieved. and the burdei
placed where justice requires IL shoui'
! be-
HOW TO DO THIS.
Nv object In discussing the .ubiect o
taxation IL to call the attention OF IN
Legislature to the gross injustice done un
| der the present laws 10 certain specie
of propertv in order that they may b
| so changed that a Just and reasohaDi
taxation. which the situation requires ne
n posslble. obtained on all property. IN
dificulty surrounding This important tues
tIon should not retard us, but make u
the more diligent and determined 10 rem
edv II. Justice TO the people and the re
! nulrements Of the Constitution oeman
It. ,,ras
of priyate or local demands upon you
time. as legislators, prevent your promp
| attention 10 this subject, which concern
every section in the State and All c'aSse
of our people. During biennial Sess oilS
| and thev limited to ninety days mere |
not sufficient time for the considerable
! of this question, so delicate ana u'Hlcult
| II has been a number ot years since w
had a new tax bill. The question OF TAX
alton was not considered by our levlsors
who made the code OF 1887. Amendment
have often been eagrafted upon the oil
| LEGISLATION. but they do net meet eX.stln
| dif1culties which ara due In part 10 IN
! changed condition Of the properly OF IN
| country. and the new investments Whlc
are constantly being made render II NOR
| dI6tcult TO ascertain and properly asses
tho nroperty. and enable the designing I
more effectually conceal what shey nave
SO as TO escape taxation.
4 SPECIAL TAX COMMISSION.
Many of the States are now moving
| this important matter We should secuT
the services Of our best and ablest me
to investigate and discuss these question
in all their phases, and to report ior u
| consideration Of the General Assembly,
writing. the result of their labors ana
| rim should be prepared relieving the stat
os the difBculties, II possible, which III
nresent system Of taX-laws has produces
with this object in view | would advis
the selection Of a committee con
nosed of five, taken from IN
different parts Of the state 10
called a Especial Tax Commission
consider this subject. They should DE II
structed specially to inquire into the sy'
tens adopted by the other States to ras
revenue for State, county. and municipi
| expenses. and to provide Tor
more lust. equal, and equitable systei
of taxation OF all kinds Of property an
which will be better adapted to the wah'
of the State and reduce the rate OF taxa
tion. and TO provide for n more effectui
system of assessments and collection
taxes. all of which should be done wlthi
the provisions Of the Constitution or II
state and of the United States. The con
mittee should be well paid, furnished wit
a good clerk, TO be selected by themselve
and provided with comfortable quarter
while engaged in this work.
| submit these views 10 the General a.
sembly with becoming difiidence in u
hone that they may serve as a guide
such action as may enable your honorao
body to enact laws which will ensure u
enlistment OF all property both real an
personal. and the assessment OF the sam
with equal and uniform taxation, accor'
ing TO its value, as the Constitution r
quires. T. W. "
New Colored Church Dedicated.
The dedicatory services at the ne
colored church. ST. Johns Baptist whit
Is situated in Henrico county, two NH
10. ngVafC