Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-04
The Expenses OF GreenesviIIe.
CFor the Dispatch)

To the Honorable, the Members OF the
Committee of the Legislature of Virginia
Appointed TO Examine Into the Criminal
Expenses OF Greenesville and other COun-
ties,-The county OF Greenesville IS in
cluded in the list OF counties whose
criminal expense is thought to be eXces-
sive. and in the list of counties the
criminal expenses of which are to be
investigated by a committee Of the Legis-
lature.
In some of the counties named investi-
cations have been had and il is reported
that the Investigating Committee has
called on certain officials here for data
on which to base their conclusions as 10
the criminal expenses of this county. The
people Of Greenesville county will be
satisfied with nothing short OF the
fullest investigation; because, IL, under
the present law abuses are possible. the
fact ought TO be known. and if under the
present law any person here. in authority,
has counselied, advised, or permitted
such abuses, for these reasons. and for
the further reason that it is believed
and reported that there have been I'M
necessary expenses in the county. a
great number of our best people have
determined to demand the Promised in
vestigation. and when IL Is had, they
offer to the committee any information
which they have or can gather.
Among the inquiries which we wish
made are the following:
First. Does the law now governing the
issuing of executions for fines and cap asses
pro fine exhaust the remedies the State
might have in that direction, and could
the criminal expenses of this county have
been reduced by carrying out the law in
this particular, and If the law has not
been carried out. where does the fault
belong for the derelction7 IL Is reported
here that there have been no executions
or capiases pro fine issued i'm years.
If such be the fact, there has been, we
think, a positive derelictiOn of duty on
the part OF somebody. If the Judge has
been derelict, let him be held respon-
sible; If the Commonwealth Attorney
has been derelict. let him be held re-
sponsibie and If the Clerk has been de-
relict, let him be held responsible, and II
all have been, let them all be held re-
sponsible.
Secondly. Have there been issued IN
Greenesville county unnecessary war
rants? If there have been let it be de-
termined who issued. who counselled. or
advised their issue. and who condemned.
and who profited by such unnecessary
and we think unlawful procedure.
BY unnecessary warrants we mean one
warrant for each offender when there
should have been, we are advised, but
one for all in common offence.
Third. Have the criminal expenses of
Greenesyille county been unduly in
creased by the provisions of the charter
of the town of Emporia. and could
changes be made in this respect beneficial
to the State?
Fourth. Can this investigation be in
telligently had at any other place than
Greenesville county? Certainly the peo-
pie here think not; and they desire-very
greatly desire-that the committee hold
its sessions here We want full and fair
investigation, and when that is had we
will be content TO let the blame. If any,
rest where IL belongs. Respectfully.
". A. REESE.