Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-22
THE CONSTITUTIONS.

DeeU Ulule III IL Tor the SENATE as tHth
existing, and it declaring that the Sem
ate should consist of a certain number
which number was in excess Of the then
Senate-we may yet have the question
raised as to the constitutionality of any
laws made by that Senate.
Again. the attempts at self-msrder
by several convicts by reason Of the
prevention Of work in the prison as pro-
vided in the new Constitution, which was
done 10 pander 10 the orders OF manu-
facturers-as the Republicans show a keen
willingness 10 do on all occasions-is suf-
fcient to mention without any comment.
Again, the judiciary article abolishing
certain courts I'm New York county was
pictured as a panacea for all judicial ills.
What is the result? The lawyers are
complaining about the condition of the
calendars. and the public must complain
when they find out just what this reform
is going to cost them in dollars ano
cents.
They were promised that the expenses
would be materially reduced, and as an
evidence Of that our present judiciary
appropriation under the great reform Is
81. iS9. 2G0. while under the wicked ante
reform regime it was only Sl.l6l $50, al
increase Of 1927 so.
One of the judges did not object tc
having a certain bill named after him IN
the press. which was passed solely "a
create a position for a personal friend
and household chum, wherein a large
salary could be drawn and minor posi-
tions filed, and all done in the name OF
reform at a farther expense Of S22,SO0.
This is not all that has been done in
the name Of reform.
A practically new tribunal has been
created in New York county, the appel
late Division"
The gentlemen constituting this division
have donned the silken gown, and when
they take possession of the palace OF
Justice, which is to be erected under
their supervision, we will no doubt see
them wear the wig.
This new palace Of justice is one Of the
net results Of reform.
The Appellate Division does not deS.rt
to be contaminated by contact with tn
judges of the Supreme Court whom 90
orders around, and hence at an expense
of $4,000 a year IL occupies apartments
on Fifth avenue while awaiting the build
ing Of the palace.
- far then. the reformation In our
judiciary has been at an Increased ex-
pense OF about half a million dollars.
Let us look a little now into our Street
Cleaning Department:
TOUGH ON THE NATIVE.
II did seem rather tough on tho native
OF New York when an Ohio refugee, who
had played the character Of reformer 50
cleverly as to deceive that earnest
CRUSADER DR.. Parkhurst, saw tit to i'm
poI another refugee from Rhode Island
TO help him clean the streets of New
York.
Much credit must be given for the
work done, but when the bills are paid
including the English harness and the
coupe. we need not dwell too long in our
anthems
The improvement in some OF our
streets has been at tho increased expen-
diture Of S63l ,6l246, and all in the sweet
name of reform.
There Is one department that we can
look TO for comfort and assistance, for
certainly the Commissioners of Accounts
will SEQ that reform is practiced as well
as preached. There are TWO commits
sioners. special appolntees OF the Mayor,
one a lawyer and tho other an account
ant. good combination for practical
work. but what have they done?
Where are the Tammany frauds they
were going 10 probe?
AS a.matter OF cold fact they have
done nothing for three years but draw
large salaries and employ so-cailed
examiner at a salary of 5000 10 help
them.
Wa may expect some kind Of a report
TO be made soon TO help the cry OF re-
form. but It is well TO remember that
these commissioners have increased the
expenses of their office $500 beyond the
extravagant days OF Tammany.
In tho dark days OF Tammany the IN
lot u il.tt
while under the bright days or reform
1t is, in 1897. $5,G5425S.5S.
The miscellaneous item I'm the budget,
which we suppose is something Ike the
advertising charges" In the life insur-
ance company reports. has crept up from
sl54.7gig in 1894, 10 1921 ,Ss26i in 1897, so
that IL appears from these few items
that have been taken at random from
the official reports, that there has been
added to our expenses under the guise or
reform over 10000.
The final estimate for 1894, the last year
of that dire rule of Tammany, was for
S35 O5i. 257.s9, and the final estimate for
1897. the last year, it is 10 be hoped. OF
such reform, was A56S6,2G.H, an increase
Of some 100000.
IL has been a favorite cry with the re-
formers that the reason that the tax rate
was kept down under Tammany rule was
that the valuations were constantly in
creased. so that the rate OF taxation
might be lowered That is such Il pal
pable misstatement that no one but
reformer OF the present day would make
II.
I admire an open enemy. who meets
me face to face, and makes his accusa-
lions. but snake In the grass, who
folds his clammy hands across
his dubious stomach draws down
the corner OF his mouth. and lifts
his fearful eyes 10 Heaven. as he cries.
Fraud makes me feel as II l had swal-
lowed a box OF compound cathartic pills.
The annual reports made by the Con-
troller furnish the information on that
score.
In 1894 the tax rate was i.7e, and the
assessed valuation was 20O3, 5320N.
This year the assessed valuation is
s.. 16S 635. $50. an excess of $685. Sl9. but
the tax rate will be over 2.0j.
These are cold facts. that cannot be
denied or explained. The only explana-
ton Is that reform has added over ten
million dollars TO the expense column
in three years.
these reformers-the one Greater New
York and the other rapid transit.
The rapid transit scheme has already
cost the citizens S3i6 1895. and we are
no nearer a solution than we were when
the scheme was first concocted for loot
ing the city treasury. and the most as
tute financier is at loss when he at
tempts to figure up what the cost OF
Greater New York viii be-
No more is the cry. "Lo. the poor In
DIAM" but Low TO beat the Indian"
More anon.