Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-09
A SENSIBLE GOVERNOR.

The Senate of the supposedly rlcn anu
prosperous state Of Pennsylvania re-
Gently sent TO Governor Hastings reso-
luton asking him TO say what new sub
jects of taxation he has to recommend
10 the General Assembly to increase the
revenues. To this the Governor replied
that there IS no duty resting upon him
TO name the subjects of taxation. and that
the Legislature. instead of searching
through 1.-THE crippled business interests
of the State" for new subjects Of taxa
ton. would better exert its energies TO
finding where the burden of taxation may
in some measure be lifted from the shout
ders of the people. And the Governor
proceeded to say further:
AT this time, when almost all indus
tries are suffering, when trade is stag
nant, and when willing labor can find no
EMPLOYMENT. economy in the expenditure
of public moneys should control the Gene
raj Assembly in its appropriations, and
will, certainly control the Executive in
the consideration Of all measures. / have
steadily withheld my approval from vari-
Gus bills increasing the salaries of pub
lie officials, but l would gladly approve
any bin that might be lawfully passed de-
creasing, reasonably, existing salaries,
from the highest to the lowest
"When the individual citizen finds 1t
necessary TO exercise the most rigid
economy In order to support himself and
his family, it is certainly strong adj
mention to you and TO the Executive 70
see 10 II that his burdens should not be
Increased but, so far as possible shou-d
he lessened. Representing, as you do.
all portions OF the State, beinS iamiiiar
with its public institutions, your com
n,ittees having visited them for the pur-
nose of ascertaining their needs. your
honorable bodies will best understand now
iudicious reductions may be made WITH
out working serious injury to any. where
as. IL necessity compels the Withholding
of Executive approval from appropria-
lions I'm order to keep the treasury SOL
vent. much harm may be done to worthy
institutions by Withholding all, where
half would greatly help.
Retrenchment and economy in public
.x,ondtures are the order of the day all
over the land-except In Washington.
Congress does not seem TO know that
these are hard times. There instead Oh
endeayoring to reduce Federal expenses
WE find both houses ever ready 10 IN
crease them and to raise taxes. The
Dingley bill as 1t is proposed TO be
amended in the Senate increases import
duties and revenue taxes. Not
thought seems to enter the mind Of the
party in power about reducing the bur-
den of taxation. If the Federal Govern
ment will not help US In this matter 1t
hecomes all the more important that we
should economize in our State. city, and
county governments.
Though the proposition TO call con-
yention to revise and amend our state
Constitution was lately defeated at the
polls by an overwhelming majority, we
bslieye the Virginia people are thoroughly
determined TO make retrenchment and
economy the leading State issue in the
legislative campaign. Even should pro-
nertv assessments continue as they are
now. we could not hope to enter upon
the 3-per cent. interest period without in
creasing the rate of taxation-or cutting
down expenses. And II. as seems gene
rally agreed, the school fund and the
appropriatlons for pensions are not 10
be touched-certainly not decreased-we
shall have TO do a great deal OF re-
trenching in other directions TO secure
the extra $4,000 per annum, wherewith
10 pass in safety from the 10 the 3
Der cent. interest period.
The people. seeing that the rate OF
State taxation cannot be reduced. are
now looking for means TO ecoaomize in
their county and city governments. The
present laws give us very wide scope for
the employment OF our talents as re-
trenchers. and II would seem TO be
folly to cry out for new laws or a new
Constitution until we have exhausted
the means at hand. But 1t may be com
forting 70 taxpayers TO know that 1t Is
quite certain the next Legislature viii
deny 20 no county no reasonable request
~ which retrenchment Is the object.
!, S>arthermore. we venture Ia say that the