Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05
CUT DOWN EXPENSES
This The Uppsrmost Idea With Members
Of General Assembly.
yIRWS As TO The BEST MEANS.
Many Favor Abolishins Some OlllceS
and Amending the Constitution.
.ur,Y FIGHTS OVER JuDGEsHIPs.
some OF the Contests In which spe-
c,,l Interest 10 Manifested-1ov-
ernor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO
He Notiaed-Gossip of the LOBBY.
VIEWS As TO The BEST MEANS.
LIVELY FIGHTS OVER JuDGEsHIPs

He Nottaed--Gossip of the LOBBY
There can be no question Of very
general sentiment on the part OF mem
hers of the Legislature in favor OF re-
trenchment in the matter OF state eN
peuses, and already several methods OF
accomplishing this end have been sug'
yested. Among these is the abolition OF
oartain basement Offices, notably those
OF Second Auditor and Railroad Com'
missioner.
A Joint resolution appointing COM
mlttee 10 inquire into the advisaoihty Oh
doing away with the former once Is no"
pending in the Senate. and Senator barks-
dale Will vigorously press his bill intro
duoed Thursday, whose object Is the re-
neal Of the law creating the office OF
Railroad Commissioner. There is con-
siderable sentiment in favor OF apoilsh-
ing one or moro OF the basement offices,
though such a feeling IS by no means
unanimous. 1t is not considered likely
that the Office OF Railroad Commissioner
Il
tutional office. and may be abolished Dy
vote OF the Legislature. The oinces oi
Secretary OF the Commonwealth, Urea
surer and Auditor can be discontinued
only by an amendment to the Constitu-
ton.
SENTIMENT FOR AMENDMENT.
The sentiment in favor Of amending
the Constitution is about as geneTai as
that for retrenchment; indeed, the hrst
IS regarded almost solely as the means
of achieving the second. The am M
ments are nearly all aimed at Erecting
the abolition of Offices, or affording the
means OF reducing the expenses Of gov
eminent
Expressions from legislators also indi-
cate that though there will be no in
crease of taxation in a strict sense, yet
an effort will be made TO effect an equah-
cation of taxation for State and county
purposes. 1t is generally recognized That
much Of the real property Of the State
IS taxed far above it's value, particularly
as compared with the personality, ana
that much of the latter, under the pres
ent system of assessment, escapes pay
ing a fair share Of taxation. 1t is GER
tain that an effort will be made in the
early part Of the session to have COM
mission TO equalize the burdens between
these two classes of property.
b Dispatch reporters yesterday secured
expressions of opinion on the foregoing
subjects from various members. There
was remarkable unanimity as TO the ne
cessity and object OF amendments. but
some difference as TO the methods by
which the ends desired were to be reach
ed.
SHOULD GO SLOW.
II want amendments to the Constitu-
ton" said Senator Morris, as he lolled
back in his seat awaiting the hour for
1T needs them badly. But
1 do not want to proceed in a hurry. We
must go slowly. / do not think the num-
Der of county judges should be lessened.
In the majority OF cases the counties
or districts could not do with less, and
besides, they do not cost the State Urea
sury dime=-the counties pay the sala-
ries. j am very decidedly in favor of
lessening the number Of elections. IL
these were Jumped as much as may be,
we could save n great amount to the
State. j think these matters of retrench-
ment and constitutional amendments
should hardly be referred 70 a special
committee. but l am not prepared to
speak finally as to this. 1t depends as to
the personnel of the committee"
SHOULD PROCEED WITH CAUTION. |
II want us to proceed with great eau
lion in this matter" said Senator Blakey. !
Il recognize the need of some constitu- |
tional changes, in the interest of |
economy, but it IS a serious thing to |
.anper with the organic law of a peo- |
pie. The matter should be referred TO |
special committee. composed of the very |
pest men in the two houses and the sub
ect should be acted upon only after this |
committee has thoroughly gone over the |
,ntire situation and reported" ..-
MUST CUT DOWN EXPENSES.
81 voted for constitutional revision be-
,ause / thought it needed" said Senator
land i see no reason for
changing my mind. In the interest of
economy. / want the Constitution revised
n several ways, and 1 think several of
ne constitutional offices could be abol-
shed without injuring in the least the
Of the State Government. Just
What these are I would rather not say
L present. Expenses must be cut down
wherever possible, and. personal property |
must pay more taxes. l do not think IL
5 now assessed at one-half its value. A
committee to recommend constitutional
hanges would effect about all that
ould be accomplished by one APP
,ointed in the specific interest of
THE CONSTITUTION DEFECTIVE.
"Our Constitution is very bad" said
Senator McIlwaine. when asked an opin-
on as to our organic law. II voted for
falling a convention, and from express
dons 1 have received from all over the
State, ] am confident the people regret
having defeated it. l favor a joint COM
nittee, called Retrenchment Commit
ee. II you will, TO consider this whole
ubject, take suggestions from every
,ody, and report those which are, in its
Judgment, the wisest and best This
legislature must do all in its power TO
essen the States expenses"
II certainly favor constitutional
hanges." said Senator Fairfax. I'VE
iced retrenchment above all things. and
his cannot be accomplished to the ex-
ent needed. / am not now prepared :
o express an opinion as TO the method
" which this Is to be accomplished"
FOR FEWER COUNTY JUDGES.
of constitutional amendments are need
d in order to lessen the number OF coun-
y judges. want them badly" said Sena-
or Barnes. "There could not well be |
ever circuit judges. without Gripping
ur judicial system, but the number OF
ounty judges could be greatly reduced
Githout hurting anything. / think spe-
iai committees should deal with the SUBJ
ect OF constitutional amendments, as