Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-19
Cutting DOWN EXPENSES.

while most state. county, and munich
pac governments are taking steps TO re-
trench expenses, the United States are
about to raise taxes, so that they may
speud a good deal more than they are
now spending.
President Mckinley has not hesitated
20 say TO Congress that the government
wants more revenue, in order to pay
more 'iiberal pensions" And so we are
70 have a new Mckinley bill that is not
n whit better than the old Mckinley bill.
The few signs of "1iberalness" that are
10 be seen in it are but adaptations of
duties to the changed condition Of af-
fairs. In all essential respects, the Ding
ley bM is tire old Mckinley bill dressed
in the fashion Of 1897. instead of in that
Of 1880.
The Dingley bill will enable many men
to make immense fortunes. To begin
the persons who are now Import
ing tons Of wool will reap a harvest of
profit. and so will other spectators in
other fields of enterprise opened up by
the proposed legislation. But the gene
raj public will have to foot the bill If
10 be taxed heavily is 10 make a coun-
try prosperous, we must say that the
United States Will be gloriously prosper
GUS under the Dingley-McKinley bill.
But. if we look in almost any other de
reclion than Washington, we shall see
the public authorities engaged in cutting
down expenses. Everywhere the con-
tention is heard that the local govern
ments ought 10 live within their incomes,
and in many localities there is an ire
sistible demand for lower taxes Re
trenchment and reform are the watch
words over the whole land-Washingto
city alone excepted. In Virginia many
counties and cities instead Of waiting
for a constitutional convention. have
gone to work slashing expenses. The
result will be lighter taxes. And. when
the local taxes have been reduced to
their lowest. the State taxes will not be
felt so heavily. The fact is that the
prospect of any of us seeing lower State
taxes is exceedingly remote~-unless we
are willing 10 reduce the amounts paid
for public education, for pensions. and
for care OF the lunatics of the State.
Virginia votes annually about 100000
10 universities. colleges, seminaries, etc,
In the form of appropriations or excess
of interest The public schools are en-
titled to $4,000 more. So more than one
third Of the States annual income goes
for public education. State taxes could
be lowered more than SO 1-3 per cent. by
looping off these items Though some
,oEd only be reached by a constitutional
,mendmenO; but we venture to say that
no serious movement Of that sort will
De made.
SO. too, we might make a big cut If we
ceased voting $4,000 per annum for pen
Mons and $4,000 per annum for the care
u lunatics, or, what would be the same
lhing-if we charged each county and
dty with the cost OF caring for its own
insane.
In short. as we showed the other day.
he sum OF the States expenses prac-
IDEALLY subject to reduction is $4,000. and
Of this one half is paid out for criminal
charges.
In the matter Of criminal expenses. we
eannot but believe that much may be
done. and done at once, In the way Of
saving the States money. II each county
had 10 pay all OF the bills incurred
therein for criminal charges. the charges
would be less than they are now. How
ever. there are serious objections TO
changing the present system. IL is in
the power of our judges. too. TO save the
State vast deal OF money. What are
known as "chronic continuances" Of
cases cost the State and counties much.
The people will not be satisfied until
all the economies possible are put into
practice, and the retrenchment move
ment that is so general is in response
10 a public demand that can neither be
disguised nor ignored.
Here IN Richmond we have this de-
mand. The City Council has responded
TO II and retrenchment ordinance Is
now In Committee OF Conference. II
the ordinance be passed IN its pre-
sent form. 1t Is very doubtful whether II