Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-08
WORK FOR THE LEGISLATURE.


oo,,r,ns Of the Lypchburg News;
rhe nex, session OF the Virginia Legis-
iature will have much important woIA
10 perform. The people OF tne o'a.e'
have decided against a conVenloh "
revise the state Constitutions; but IL woulo
no n mistake TO assume that the plesen.
Constitution IS satisfactory TO the great
hody ~ the people Various causes con-
tribntod 10 defeat the proposition TO hoid
a state convention. The RepuDhcah
party was opposed to II, and MANS DEMO
Gratis. for various reasons. cast theiI
ballots against the measure. But II 10
generally admitted that our Constitutlon
needs revision. The only alternative
then. is for the Legislature to take up
tho work in the manner prescribed py
no nressnt Constitution. Any amend
rnent. 10 become valid. must be approved
nv two Legislatures. and then subniitteu
IN the people for ratification. inns 10
n very slow method Of removing abuses
and improving our fundamental laws Du'
II IS the only method left u.s. ana mo
LEGISLATURE will be expected to apprecl-
ate the situation and enter upon the
work next winter. Our judiciary sys-
tenn needs reform, our criminal expenses
must be reduced. The state VIII SOON
have to pay a higher rate OF interest.
not Justify the continuance OF an ex-
nensive system. while neighboring States
have shown us that an efficient system
can be devised without laying unreason-
able burdens on the taxpayers.
other matters of interest Will come
before the Legislature. But the reouc-
ton Of our expenses outweighs them all
in Importance.
That is a timely and thought1ul pre-
sentation of the case.
II Is quite certain that when the real
estate OF the Commonwealth Is assessed
for taxation in 1900, there will be great
milling down Of values. In 1875 the
country districts reported large decreases
but the cities and towns gave Increases
Three years hence-unless great season
of nrosperity first comes upon the land
town and country alike will cut values
largely.
But even were the present values con-
firmed by the reassessment OF 1900 our
state would not have revenue enough 10
nav per cent. interest upon tho Cen
fury" bonds and continue all the other
charges that now burden our State Urea
sury. 1t is apparent, therefore, that the
necessity for retrenchment is real and
not imaginary.
Cuts will have to be made, not only
in the expenses Of the administration
of criminal justice, but in many other
directions. The schools are now getting,
through the state Treasury. over S"O,oO
ner annum, and the collegiate institutions
about $4,000. We do not believe any
serious attempt 10 reduce these appro-
priations will be made, but economies
will have to be introduced into every
other department.
We agree with the News as to the
solemn obligation that rests upon the
LEGISLATURE to enter heartily upon the
work OF revising and amending the Con-
stitution. II is a work that must be done
II the Legislature cannot, or Will not,
do Il promptly, then the people will see
To II that a constitutional convention is
called. Further delay is not to be tole-
rated.
We know that the Legislature will be
sorely pressed for time to do all the
| things expected OF ii within a ninety
DAYS session; but better that an extra
session should follow Immediately upon
| the heels of the regular session than that
| the long-promised constitutional amend
ments should not be forthcoming.
Public attention seems to be directed
solely to the reduction Of expenses in our
judiciary system. That may be a good
| place begin the cutting down process,
but If we expect TO make up our defici-
encies from that source alone, we shall be
| grievously disappointed. 1t would be
beyond the bounds OF reason to expect
to retrench in that direction to an ex-
tent which would put US upon favor
able financial foundation. We shall have
to cut not only in that direction but in
every other, nearly.
We expect the Roanoke convention,
now soon TO assemble. to make an ems
phatc dellverance upon this subject.
Luckily, there will be no contention in
the convention over national issues. Time
may therefore be give to State ques-
lions. And chief Of these is that relating
to reducing expenses by means of legis-
latlve acts and constitutional amend
ments.
With a suitable plank put into the
Roanoke platform, it will only remain for
the Democrats of Virginia to bring out
their most worthy and sensible citizens
and send them to the Legislature. There
will be much important work before the
Legislature, and we shall need skilled
hands TO do 1t promptly and well.