The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-10
HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM.
THE DIRECT TAX MONEY.
An T. ort TO he Made to Bring About
Final settlement.

During the session Of 1912, the Leg
islature OF this State passed an act In
regard TO the distribution Of the direct
tax-mOney refunded by the United States
Government. Commissioners were ap-
pointed in each county and corporation 10
pay over the respective amounts 10 those
entitled to the same. Colonel William l..
Smith was appointed by the Governor di-
rect for commissioner for the city Of
Richmond, and the amount OF money
turned over TO him for distribution was
about $4,000. All Of this money has been
paid out with the exception of about 5000,
which still remains in cash. Since July
1st, Colonel Smith had only two claims
for direct tax-money presented 10 him,
and it is very likely that the money now
left over will never be claimed.
Section 9 OF the direct-tax law, which
refers 10 the manner in which the money
Is TO be distributed, reads as follows.
9. on the first day OF January ana July
in each year. every such treasurer ana
commissioner shall make out an account
showing all disbursements by him and
all claims allowed. and also a statement
of all claims filed with him hereunder
during the preceding six months, and the
balance OF said fund remaining in his
hands, and shall submit the same with
proper vouchers, 10 the commissioner OF
accounts OF his county OF corporation,
who shall examine the same, and II cor
rect. certify IL and such account and
statement of claims filed shall be trans
mitted TO the governor by such
treasurer or commissioner, ana
CODY thereof also filed IN the
clerks Office aforesaid and the eX-
pense OF auditing and filing such accounts
shall be paid by the treasurer OF commits
sioner out OF his commissions Such ac-
counts shall be so audited and flod until
the lst day OF January. 1897, and on the
pa day of March, 1897, there shall be IA
final settlement of the accounts of every
such treasurer and commissioner which
final settlement shall be made and hled
as aforesaid; and the balance LETT IN the
hands Of such treasurer or commissioner
on that day shall be by him held Tor pro
rata distribution among those who nave
by the production Of receipts or other eV-
idence shown themselves 10 have paid the
said direct tax and who have been listed
as hereinbefore directed as persons VINO
have paid. but whose names do not APP
pear on the list filed I'm the clerks Office
as hereinbefore provided for, and this
balance shall be distributed under the
rules provided in the act, and should any
balance remain of said fund on the lst
day Of January, 1898. II shall be the duty
of the treasurer or commissioner 10 pay
the same into the county or city treasury
to be expended on the roads OF the county
and streets OF the city. All such accounts
shall be filed as aforesaid with the COVER
nor and In the clerks Office within thirty
days after the time they are herein di-
rected TO be settled: and for failure 10 file
the same. duly examined as aforesaid,
every such treasurer and tax commission
er shall be fined twenty dollars per day
for each day during which he continues
in default. Such settlement may be
made by the personal representative or
committee OF any such treasurer or COM
missioner in case OF his death or disabili-
ty Such accounts, and the claims there
in set forth shall be examined by the
governor. and the Same may at any time
within six months after the final settle
ment aforesaid, be disallowed by him in
whole or in part for cause shown. and
when the rights of the Commonwealth are
involved therein the same may be deter
mined in the circuit court of Richmond
city.
From this section II will be seen that
the existing law provides that the money
not yet distributed shall remain on
deposit until January l, 1898. subject 10
any claims that might be filed for the
same. 1t Is understood. however, that an
effort will be made 20 have the law 80
amended as TO have the remaining ball
ance at once paid over 10 the respective
counties for Improving the pubic roads
and to the citi..s for street improvements.
II such legislation should be secured.
the sum Of $4,000 should revert into the
city treasury for street improvements, and
Colonel Smith viii be enabled TO have the
bond Of 5000 satisfied. which he had TO
give for the strict performance OF his
duty