Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-05

revenues imposed upon the sheriffs. there
VIII simply be change OF persons WIN
out any saving unless the COMMISSIONS
are reduced Should this be dOney thlnk
not. The resDOnsibliti- s are great, ana
fine business qualifications are required,
and II the emOluments are Inadequate II
VIII be difficult to induce proper persons
TO accept the positions. and the Common
wealth may suffer in the collection OF ner
revenues. Besides the sherihs nave gene
rally enough to engage them IN serving
civil process. enforcing executions, ar
resting offenders. attending the sessions
of the courts. and performing the duties
which belong peculiarly 10 their Offices;
Again, with the taxes to collect ana
executions to enforce. the sherlIs Wouiu
hold a power which might prove to be
dangerous
Fifth Criminal expenses.
That the criminal expenses or the state
are too heavy must be admitted; that
they should be carefully considered. ana
the pruning knife applied whenever il can
be done with due regard TO the enforce
ment of the laws. the preservation OF
order and the demands OF justice cannot
b. questioned.
But this. as well as the proposed changes
before mentioned, can be accomplished. II
desired. either by legislative enactment
or by the people by amendment to the
Constitis siOn-either safer ana mucn
less expensive mode than constitutional
convention.
STATE VALUATIONS.
A general reassessment Of the lands or
the Commonwealth being required inns
year it was feared there would be a con-
siderable reduction in values and conse-
ouent falling off in the revenues. This
apprehension gave me deep concern, LOT,
with decrease in the revenues 10 any
considerable extent, there would be serl-
ous embarrassment In meeting our oDllsa-
tions and the expenses Of our state Gov
ernment. I am, however, pleased 10 ltdrh
that the reassessment shows that lhefe
has been an increase in our Ieal-tstdte
values Of Sl1 .6i6 1872. over 1880. and not 4
decrease. So that Virginia, despite the
heavy financial depression under "nlch
she, in common with the Whoie county.
has been suffering for several years, mas
gone forward. and added appreciaDly 10
her taxable real-estate values. IT speaks
volumes for her material strength, ana
the courage energy and industry Of her
people. o,o.,-,,,,r,o>.
our Treasury has been able 10 meet
promptly every demand made upon IL,
and there IS no reason 10 fear that loss
will be sustained by the defalcauOn OF
any who have ben entrusted win tne
collection of the States money. Scarcely
al any period I'm her history have the
finances of Virginia been in better con-
dition. and the present fiscal year prom
ises as well as the last two.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
Little need be said in reference to the
public debt II has been settled upon
basis honorable TO the State and satsfac-
tory to the creditors. and / can conceive
of no condition Of affairs that can arise
TO renew any contention over this ques-
ton.
January 81 1884, holders of a portion of
the unfunded debt, who were barred from
the provisions of the act approved fbcru-
airy 20, 1892, by their failure 10 accept
within the time prescribed, were permit
ted TO accept the terms Of the last-named
act and the Commissioners OF the sink
ing Fund were authorized and empowered
10 place these holders on the same foot
ing as if they had actually accepted the
terms of said last-named act within the
prescribed time. In pursuance OF the
power conferred and as directed, the COM
missioners of the Sinking Fund acver-
tised for the reception of said outstanding
bonds for exchange, and bonds 10 the
amount of sl,47i,0l7.9i were surrendered
and funded, and, in lieu thereof. new
% per cent. bonds Cor the aggregate sum
of siOl5 1Si.S9 were issued.
IL Is well known that the United states
holds registered bonds of the Common
wealth. In May, 1891. demand was
made for the payment or these Donds,
(aggregating. as stated by the treasurer
of The United States in his demand, S54O.-
coo principaD and refused upon tne iol-
lowing impregnable grounds. as set forth
i'm the letter of A. W. HaIman, ESQ,
Treasurer OF Virginia, TO Hon. ID. ii.
Morgan. Treasurer of the United States
First Because no appropriation mad ever
been made to pay them.
Second Because the bonds were issued
before the dismemberment of the state
of Virginia. but no credit was allowed for
West Virginia's Equitable proportion
of said bonds.
Third. Because the Government Of the
limited States is indebted TO the Common
wealth OF Virginia for advanc7 made
and money loaned during the war OF lSlz'
amounting. on the 1st day of January,
1894 TO 81. .595, ,O22.Oi.
IL is a matter of record that for forty
five years Virginia has been demanding
payment of these advances and loans,
and ever since the United States became
the holder of the registered bonds afore-
said Virginia has been ready to give due
credit for the same upon the United !
States Indebtedness 20 her, but TO the
present time. she has failed 10 secure a
one branch or the other of |
Congress has repeatedly, but at different |
sessions. recognized Virginia's claim, and !
rassed bills TO pay her. Other States |
have been paid the advances made by |
them. but Virginia. as patriotic and true |
as any. and so liberal In her terrfsoial |
donations TO the Union, has been left 10 /
continue her demands.
l would recommend that your honorable |
bodies memoriaiiZe Congress for an ad- |
iustmcnt of the matters between the |
United states and Virginia. and take such |
other action as may. In your Judgment |
promote a settlement of accounts between |
them. ..
WEST VIRGINIA'S PART.
By joint resolution OF the General As |
sembly. approved March 6. 1884 entitled. |
"A Joint resolution 10 provide for ad- |
iusting with the State of West Virginia" |
etc, a commission was created, and au- |
and directed, under co2ditions |
specified. 10 negotiate with the State OF
West Virginia u settlement and ADJUST