Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
u,o Avn IIrTLp COUNTIES.

II IL nothing new for US to be told that
n considerable number OF counties In this
state draw from the State Treasury In
expenditures for enforcing the criminal
laws and In public school funds deal
more OF money than they pay IN. Suii'
IL Is an important thing TO remember
whilst we are talking about retrench-
mont and reform. a constitutional conven-
ton. &C.. &c.
II ls a fact we'll worth remembering,
too. that the cities and towns or virginia
nav into the State Treasury by Jar tho
greater part OF the money With which we
support the government, pay the Interest
upon the public debt, sustain the pubic
schools, &c.
II IS worth some thought. too, that, u
we did not appropriate $l20O,OOo per an
mum to the colleges and public schools
we could cut down our tax rate from 40
cents on the 500 to about % cents on the
s1O0-and this Notwithstanding the fact
that we pay out $4,000 per annum 10
care for lunatlcs and $4,000 for pensions
TO disabled veterans and widows OF our
deceased soldiers But who wants to
reduce taxation by the adoption Of any
such expedent? Not many people, we
feel sure.
Many other more or less sensible sugges-
tons have been made as to reducing pub
lie expenses. We have heard very intel
ligent gentlemen say THAI Virginia has
many more counties than she ought to
have. Perhaps this is true. Perhaps II
we had to deal with the question as a
perfectly original proposition instead OF
dividing our state into 100 counties, as at
present. we would divide It into 20 or 80
and thus save the taxpayers money IN
many directions. But the present forma-
ton of counties is fated TO stand, we
think. constitutional convention or no.
Again, 1t is said that each county
ought to be made 10 pay its own criminal
expenses. This would come pretty hard
upon the little counties and we can ina
CINE cases where such counties would
have to choose between allowing viola
tors of the law to go scot free or almost
bankrupt themselves. Richmond would
be much benefited by such a change, but
we doubt if that change would be good
public policy. At the same time, it does
seem that there ought to be some sort of
check put upon the States expenditures
I'm certain counties of this State.
There would be less objection 10 impo-
sing upon each city or county the cost Of
caring for its lunatics than there would
be in imposing upon il its criminal ex-
penses. 1t would seem that no county
could ever be "swamped" by having 10
pay the expense of its own insane con-
fined in the State asylums, or hospitals
as they are now called. But the little
counties. we suspect, would kick
against such an arrangement.
Very able arguments may be made pro
and con on the question of returning TO
each city and county the amount paid in
by it on account of school funds. We
shall not enter upon the matter here
but the present system presents inequai-
ties that ought to be corrected, if it be
possible to do so without impairing the
effectiveness of our school system.
Excepting Texas. which is rich in pub
lie lands, we doubt if any Southern State
appropriates more money than Virginia
does for purposes Of public education
nearly $500 600 per annum for collegiate
institutions and about $4,000 for public
schools So, too, we have a heavier in
terest charge than any other Southern
State-S7l4.OO0 per annum, including the
excess Of interest paid to colleges and
semnaries.
All these are subjects for considera-
ton. no matter whether we are to have
a constitutional convention or not. The
remedies for some Of the evils from
which we suffer may be found in consti-
tutional amendments proposed by the Le-
gislature. II it should be thought
desirable. the Legislature could propose
amendments abolishing the offices of
County Judge and County Treasurer SO,
too, it could propose amendments throw
ing upon the counties many of the
charges that the State now bears. But
when we come to consider seriously the
question of restricting suffrage we are
free TO say lIdl We w nv b~4ANfN ~
could be as wisely and safely treated in
a Legislature as in a constitutional con-
vention. 1t is a subject that might re-
ouire months Of discussion; but If solved
satisfactorily and so as to last for the
next quarter of century, it would be
boon for which we would all be grateful,
However we doubt if our people are yet
ready to consider this question They
need time to think it over and canvass
plans.
If called now, a constitutional conven-
ton would in all probability meet and
adjourn without action upon the suffrage
question. so m-prepared on the subject
is the public mind.
So. we think we would better wait for
that ripening of public opinion, which will
come before very long, and which will
enable us to attack the suffrage ques-
ton boldly and effectually.
MIR. GLADSTONE'S PAMPHLET.
tno-,fta the fact that he Is nearly 90