Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-27
Observation-Disclosures 81, 1898.
HOW TO CUT DOWN EXPENSES.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
This problem could be easily disposed
of n our Legislature had any backbone.
II can be done by not appropriating one
dollar 10 higher education. The primary
grades in our public schools run but nve
months, simply because there Is not
money to run them longer, and In order
that rich mems sons may be educated at
fhe public expense. This is wrong. Let
every tub stand on its own 'ottom,' and
n these institutions cannot be main
tanned without being fostered by the
State. let them stop. There are a plenty
Of good colleges and universities. where
This higher education can be obtained by
the benehciary's paying for II. as II should
be.
The present Legislature was elected TO
cut down expenses. Will IL do IT? II
seems not. When ii refused TO pass SEN
ator Optics bill looking In that direction,
II was apparent that nothing would be
done. 1t was willing 10 cut down the
poorly-paid county judges, school super
~intendents. . &C. and then refused TO
abolish useless State offices.
Gentlemen of the Legislature, you had
better do something to cut down expenses.
or YOU will hear a how when you come
back home. AfAhMEh.
our correspondent does not seem 10
know that the very object of Mr. Opie's
resolution was TO enable the Legislature
10 cut down the salaries of county judges,
81 II choose to do so-but let that pass.
While we publish our friends commune
cation. we cannot promise him that the
Legislature will adopt his suggestion. For
the State suddenly to withdraw its aid
from the universities and colleges would
be TO cause the ruin of many of those in
stitutions-a thing public sentiment does
not demand and would not approve. That
Virginia has made mistakes In the past IN
dealing with this surSect, we think few
well-informed persons will dispute; but
those blunders must be corrected gradu-
ally If at all.
our State raises and expends for pub
lie education about 100000 per annum-
we do not pretend to be exact, though we
believe We are not far from right. This
includes what is paid out through
the treasures of the State, cities, and
counties. OF this sum, the public free
schools receive about N,75O,O0, and
the higher institutions about S25O,O0O,
Including the excess Of interest paid to
colleges on State bonds held by them.
We suppose "a Farmer" would not ask
That the help which is given institutions In
the form of annuities should be cut off,
while the help that is given in excess of
interest should be continued. Yet. If we re-
member Alright. these college bonds have
been exchanged for certificates, and the
interest thereon is charged up with the
bulk of the interest upon our public debt.
So. that question has been permanently
disposed OF. What the State does for
these colleges is TO give them a much
larger rate of interest than would be due
were those bonds in any other hands
than theirs.
OF course. every case will be considered
separately and upon its own merits. but
we find there is a widespread opinion
among members that IL the officials of
government are TO have their salaries re-
duced, employees OF State institutions
ought 10 be made to suffer some reduc-
ZION too. But whether any reductions at
an are 10 be made is a question not yet
decided.
We md members generally very much
Sn earnest about retrenchment, well know
Ing. as they do. that If the Legislature
fails In that respect. the demand for the
calling Of a constitutional convention will
be instant and aggressive.
The great problem before the Legisla-
ture is TO steer between such PROPOSE
tlons az "a Farmers" and the efforts OF
members TO protect their local interests.
II is a hard job our legislators have
been given TO do. and II cannot be done
unless. concessions arc made by all inter-
ests. Then-and only then-wil il be
possible 10 arrange to meet all future en-
gagements OF ours without increasing
taxes and without Gripping any institu-
tion which has been relying largely upon
State aid.
1t Is a condition. not a theory, that
confronts us. The errors Of the past we
cannot hope 20 correct at one 'swipe":
tile most We can expect TO do Is to cor
rect them gradually.