Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-17

| y,,,ch less expense than ours. That u
,aI, argument. IL only remains for
The Legislature TO enquire II conditions
obtain In virginia which DO not obtain
In North Carolina. and which would pre-
ven, US from exercising the same economy
that North Carolina does.
II may be that North Carolina has
managed 10 throw the criminal charges
upon her counties and cities. but we
/ doubt whether II would be good policy
for Virginia to do so. Richmond city
would profit vastly by the change. but
| our small border counties would most
strenuousy object to II. We can imasine
Instances where a hard aud fast rule OF
that sort would result in tho certain de-
feat OF justice. II therefore seems ~
us that lt would be FAR better 10 I'M
pose the charges for TIE support OF tue
insane than the crim.na! charges upon
the counties and cities.
without undertaking 70 review MI
Jackson's suggestions reriatm. we de-
sire 10 say that some OF them seem
w1se, some doubtful and some so very
radical that they cannot be entertained
Tor moment. Nevertheless. the study
that he has given the subject and the
trouble that be has taken TO present ms
vows sntitle him to the thanks OF the
public. The object aimed Ut can never
bs obtained without the fullest and
freest discussion.
Now, as 10 his contention that we
have not stated the real expenses OF
our State Government. We have the
Auditor of Public Accounts behind u.s.
so far as those figures are concerned.
The fact is that the State acts as banker
for several funds that are in no wise
the products of taxation For instance,
the state disburses, say. $4,000. on ac-
count of the penitentiary; but the peni-
tertiary costs the State nothing. 1t IS
self-sustaining. So, too, the State acts
as banker for certain college funds. etc.
Therefore, we adhere to our former
statement. and insist that emitting
what we pay for interest upon the public
debt dncludng excess of interest upon
the college bonds, and what we pay
for pensions and in aid OF Lee Camp
Soldiers Home, for public education, and
To-. the support of the insane, the figures
are as we have stated.
Take year in and year out, when the
Legislature is in session and when it is
not, we find that the per annum ex-
penses of the State for support of gov
ernmsnt is about as follows:
Salgr!es OF officers and employ
ce5... =. ..... .......... .NZo' bDO W
Contingent expenses OF the base
ment ohices.... ........ ........ 5.fo w
Contingent expenses Of Courts. $3.50 "
Commissions TO commissioners
OK revenue. postage, and ex-
mess. ....... ....... 5000 o.
,prhiic printing. ..... ....... 1850 70
Registering births, deaths, and
marriages. ......... .......... 1000 90
Civn contingent fund. -. 1900. 10000 -
civil prosecutions. ...... ..... 1900 10
Agricultural Bureau. ..... ..... 1900 70
Printing records Court OF APP
peals..., .,...... ...... .'..'''' oV W
virginia reports ......... 1900 %
Military f,lnd. ........... 1910 IL
Military contingent fund. 1900 60
Criminal charges...... ........... SG2 900 90
oyster law, maintaining oyster
feet. ....... .......... ..-....... |o'V" w
Repairs TO public buldings.. 200 %
Fl.al. gas. and ice. State offices
and Goyernor's Manson...... 400 %
Reasscssment @; lands (a)...... 1880 90
LEGISLATURE. ........ .......... $500 GO
Eish rornroisfioner ...... 1870 20
Reporter Court Of Appeals...... 1900 "
Totai....... ........,.. ....'.'..s'r''o IL
Included in the foregoing items are
some for which the State is reimbursed,
In whole or ~ part--5s from the receipts
through the Agricultural Department.
salc Of Virginia Reports, oyster navy, etc.
'The Legislature meets once in two
venrs Here we divide the expense
take one year with another. When the
Iegiziaturs is in session the printing bill
f. inuch larger than IT. is otherwise.
"a Assessments are made once in five
vcare. we here give one-ffth OF the cost
apportioned as an annual charge.
Candidly speaking. we do not expect
the appropriations for public education, or
for pensions, or for the support of the
insane. to be reduced, and IL we should
prove to be right in this matter, the
needed $4,000 per annum Will have to
be saved out of the s7i0795. Possibly 1t
can be DONE we hope So. but Mr.. Jackson
must pardon us for believing that it will
be no easy matter.