The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-07

| failed to deter others, because the inhiction
| is so speedy as to deprive justice of its ter
| ror to evil doors which trial and the
! soemnities OF the death sentence. and
the tragic execution. serve to strike into
the hearts of all. / would appeal to the
people to await a trial OF all offenders
| by the duly constituted courts. This IS
the safest, and is the best, because II Is
the law.
The Governor then offers suggestion
| as TO a reform i'm the manner of collectin.
| fines costs, etc. He also informs the
/ legislators of his visit to the World
| Fair. and OF his delight at the great ex-
position. Speaking OF our exhibits he
says, The want Of money prevented a
more extended display. yet what we had
was Of the best quality" He speaks in
high terms of the work Of the Board Of
Agriculture, and Of it's excellent reports.
ON iu NIT.
He then continues as follows:
There Is a large amount OF money due
TO the State, and uncollected because Of
the default OF various officials. On the
18th day OF February, 1888, the Auditor
of Public Accounts. in response to a reso-
luton Of inquiry made by the Senate. re-
ported that there were 2l7 treasurers who
owed a balance to the State in their off
cial capacity, and that the amount due
was i'm the aggregate SJjJ.GOS..2 -. Again.
on the 22d OF February. 1892 the Auditor,
in response TO a similar inquiry. reported
that there were 2S2 treasurers who owned
a balance to the State amounting I'm the
aggregate TO 500. 2I34l. These amounts
are chiefly composed of a number Of small
amounts, but the aggregate is large, and
l respectfully refer you 10 the two reports
mentioned above. which will be found IN
the annual reports for the years named
The General Assembly should protect
as far as possible the public treasury,
and the people also, against those unfor-
tunate disasters which are frequently
occurring The railroads and other large
corporations are generally watchful Of
these matters and much may be learned
from their experience which will be use
full to the State; most of them have aban-
doned the practice Of requiring from their
officials personal security, and receive in
stead the security Of a guaranty company.
| am informed that the change has been
most satisfactory, as i'm case OF disaster
the none is promptly paid by the guar
anty companies. If the State would
adopt the suggestions. it would save
much of the public revenue, and be
relief from the embarrassment of suing
it's citizens for failure i'm their official du-
ties. 1t generally results in mucn preju-
dice 10 the administration which attempts
the collection Of pubic money by law, and
experience establishes the fact that
poor compensation is the reward
/ think IT is the part Of wisdom TO
change this law so as 10 require official
bonds to be secured by some solvent
guarantee company.
The Adjuian -GenernI' Onic
In consequence of the serious sickness
Of the late Adjutant-General James Nc
Donald. / detailed General Charles j.
Anderson. commanding First brigade Nir-
ginia Volunteers. 10 perform the duties
of Acknowledgement Of the State of Nir-
ginia on the 81 Of October. 1893. since
which time ne has been acting as Adult
ant-General. i'm which position he has
rendered valuable and necessary services
10 the State.
The excellent report of the acting Ad
iutant-General and the Assistant lnspec-
tor-General give an interesting review OF
the volunteer forces Of Virginia for the
present year We have one brigade 3.2Sj
strong; il Is made of various branches
of the service; its officers are competent
and efficient. the men ere fairly well
armed and uniformed They are not only
an ornament to the State, but are ncccs-
gary for our peace 20 d protection .ncIr
presence ensures good order and the en-
torcement OF tnc Jaw. tuev c1n be- reiiei
on 10 maintain the dignity Of the State.
and 10 uphold the civil authority. incy
deserve the confidence of the General
Assembly, who should do an i'm their
power to add TO their comfort and
pleasure for we do not know when w
may be forced TO call upon them TO main
tain the peace and dignity of the Common
wealth
The Direct TIN
There was collected from the United
States government, January 9th. 1892, the
sum of $ii2,70277 direct tax. which was
reported To the LEGISLATURE at lts las.
session. The Act for the distribution
Of this money has been promptly executed
according 10 its requirements. me ap-
stracts Of tho tax lists were taken from
the United States Treasury Department.
at Washington, -. c.. and the copies
disposed Of as the act requires.
The Treasurer or Commissioner of the |
several counties entitled TO receive the |
tax. were duly appointed, and proper bonds !
were taken, and the money 10 which each !
county was entitled was paid over 10 each |
Treasurer or Commissioner, for distr.bu- |
ton. The law requires reports OF the dis |
20 be made serni-srnually, % |
the Governor, by the several Treasurers |
or Direct-Tax Commissioners. which have I
been rendered by all for the six months |
ending January LIST. and July lst. 1893, |
with one exception. and verified according |
TO law. On the 10th OF April. 1892, after |
the adjournment of the legislature, We /
collected S5.44175. This amount is now I'm |
the state Treasury. and the law Will have
to be amended so as 10 have this sum |
distributed to those entitled.
The State Board of Health.
On the 10th day Of March. 1898 l APP |
pointed State Board Of Health, appor-
toned among the divisions Of the State as
the statute requires, 10 hold office for a
term Of four years from the date of their
/ was Induced 20 make these
appointments because Of the great uneasi-
ness felt throughout the country. occa-
stoned by the danger OF an invasion by |
cholera from some foreign port.
The gentlemen composing the Board ac-
cepted the trust, and promptly met I'm
the City OF Richmond organized and
made all arrangements necessary under
the circumstances, to protect the State
against the fearful epidemic. Active ef-
forts were inaugurated by the general
government and the health officers in
the various cities. and we have so far es-
,aped from the dreadful scourge
on examination Of our statute Sec.
I7l4 to Sec. 1722 of the Code Of Virginia.
1857, II will be seen that the powers given
10 this Board are limited and defective.
The first section provides that the Board
shall not In any way be a charge upon the
State yet to be effective I'm case OF trou-
bic there must necessarily be an expendi-
ure OF some money. Besides, II cannot
be expected that business men can give
heir time and talent To the State nay