Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-02
Economical Administration of Pub
lie Affairs.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
La grippe has confined me to my room
for the last sixteen days. | have suf-
fered. and am still suffering, severely
but | have not been Indifferent 20 the
desire and need of the people of Virginia
for retrenchment and economy in the
| management of public affairs: nor have
J failed 10 sympathize with our legislators
| in their efforts to meet the just wish and
expectation of their constituents.
The increase i'm the rate of interest on
the State debt, which will soon take place,
renders it necessary to take steps to meet
this increased demand upon the State
Treasury.
There are two ways by which this de-
mand can be met
First, by increasing the rate of taxa
ton.
Secondly, by reducing public expenses.
Which shall IT be?
Neither argument nor evidence is neces-
sary to prove that the present rate Of
taxation is as high as the people of Vir-
ginia are able to pay. or ought to be re-
quired to pay in their impecunious con-
dtion.
To create new subjects of taxation
would have the same effect upon tax
payers as an increase in the rate Of taxa
ton would, and thus increase their bur
dens as fully as an increase OF rates
would.
All taxable property should be listed
and uniformly assessed. Property that Is
visible-that which is owned by men OF
moderate means, is sure TO be taxed
Much Of the wealth in the State-that
which is owned by men of larger means,
men more able to pay taxes. is invisible
ofF{C fhaFAf0TH -
capes taxation.
AS already said, finding new visible sub
iects of taxation would but add to the
burdens of those who are burdened to
their full capacity.
What, then, should be done?
I see but one practical way OF meeting
the increased demand upon the Treasury
which will soon have to be met. Reduce
the number of holders and the sala-
ries of those retained so far as II can
be done without detriment TO public in
terests.
do not mean TO join crusade against
office holders, and If any better plan can
be proposed than the one suggest, L VIII
heartily advocate It. Inexorabie necessity |
demands the use of the pruning knife |
somewhere Where shall 1t be used?
To require witnesses to attend courts |
and give testimony in criminal cases |
without receiving any fees therefor would |
doubtless lessen criminal expenses, and |
take less money from the State Treasury
than is now taken to pay these fees. But
would not that be practically taking
private property for public use without
lust compensation" Has not the State
equal right to require office-holders-all
who receive compensation for public ser
vices-to serve without compensation?
The pruning-knife must be used nearer
the fountain head Apart from the de-
mands of stern necessity, II is but just
to consider the fact that money possesses
much greater purchasing power now than
il did when the present salaries OF pub
&c officers were fixed. The cost OF living |
IS much less now than IL was then. Food
and clothing can now be purchased for
II least 80 l-3 per cent. less than they
could then. Hence, men with fixed sala-
lies can save much more Uhe salaries
being the same now than they could
when times were better.
I hope | will be excused for stating a
act to show that l practically applied
he above reasoning to myself.
NY predecessor, DR.. Buchanan. stated
n his last report. that the salary OF the
OF Public instruction was
lot adequate to the duties and RESPONSE
,lities of the office. Governor McKin-
icy called the attention OF the Legisla-
ure to this report. and recommended an
Increase OF my salary. Some one, l | :
now not who, introduced bill. which
vas referred TO the Finance Committee.
Z the Senate. increasing my salary $500
err annum. SO soon as / heard OF IL
requested the chairman OF that COM
littee not 10 report the bill. and 1t was
ot reported.
Legislation cannot give prosperity. but i
can and should give equal rights and
to all. and special immunities !
D none. JOHN T.. MASSEY.
Charlottesville. January q. 1855