Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-29
1ETWEEN TWO FIRES.

rhe LEGISLATURE OF Virginia seems very
| acsirous Of instituting measures OF re-
,renchment and reform. Ihe cohuition VI
the states finances imperatively cans 10,
| some mode of relief, and yet no Prac ,
method OF reaching the desired end mas
racnt,yed the endorsement OF majority OF
| the members of the Legislature every
Man rronosed encounters strenuous oppo-
| s,,ion The Richmond correspondents ex-
nress the opinion that salaries VIII not DC
reduced. and that counties VIII not DE re-
ouired 10 pay the cost OF mlsdemeahor
| trials
what Is TO be done? Expenditures must
be reduced or taxation must be Increases
The LEGISLATURE is confronted with th,s
alternative. An increase OF taxation wouio
no met by n general cutlery. The people
are in no condition to endure heavier
burdens The Legislature may as well
understand this at once, and set about
finding relief by reducing expenditures.
IL the Legislature proves to be unequal
TO the task, a popular demand VIII spring
up for convention TO remodel the con-
stitution and give us a less expensive
form of government.-The Lynchburg
News.
The News is right. If this Legislature
fails TO do the work expected of 1t there
will arise an irresistible demand for a
constitutional convention. AS yet, we
have seen no purpose on the part of men,
beers to dodge the question OF reducing
the States expenses; but we fear that
many members are rather too sanguine of
their ability to increase the revenue.
1t is quite natural, we suppose, that
those who are threatened with cuts in
their salaries should point out that
amendments to the revenue laws may
be made that will make such cuts wholly
unnecessary
on the other hand, 1t is equally natural
that those upon whom the taxation in
question may be laid should point out
that the true course for the Legislature
TO pursue is to reduce the States ex-
penses.
OF course there is no suggestion from
any quarter that the rate of taxation
upon real or personal property should be
increased, but many schemes are pro-
posed to subject to taxation personal
property that is not now fully returned.
We do not know how much Of exaggera-
ton there is in the statements frequently
made as to the immense sums that escape
taxation, but we dare say there Is
a good deal. OF course. it is right and
proper, and commendable, indeed, for the
Legislature to try to cause proper re-
turns of personal property TO be made,
but every State in this Union and every
nation on earth has found it difficult
subject TO deal with.
We fear that If the Legislature relies
very largely upon new income to make
buckle and tongue meet, 1t will be greatly
disappointed. No doubt something may
be done in that way, but it would not be
wise for members to adopt the belief
that the whole question may be met In
that manner
The laws, Federal and State are al
ready, in some respects, more favorable
| TO non-residents than to residents doing
business in Virginia. and we should not
like to see any legislation that would put
our merchants and other businessmen at
further disadvantage. Merchants taxes
ought not to be increased in the slightest.
The towns and cities of this Common
wealth furnish by far the greater part
: of the revenue that goes into the state
Treasury. and get no great proportion OF
II back in criminal expenses or school
| funds.
And so we say, if the Legislature has
! any mind TO put heavier burdens upon
| the merchants, 1t ought to abandon the
| idea at once The business world has
suffered quite as much, if not more, than
| the agricultural community for the past
| five years, and we hope to see this fact
recognized in all the legislation of the
| General Assembly at its present session.