Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-20
Observation-Disclosures 20, 1898
VETERANS AND TAXEs.

The Dispatch has always sdlu IL oe-
lieves that the people of Virginia VIII
consent to bear a small special tax to
make provision for the care of our indl-
gent veterans-should that be necessary
after the Legislature has exhausted all
practicable means TO retrench the eN-
penses Of the State.
And we are still of that opinion; but
before the taxpayers are called upon TO
run their hands into their pockets deeper
than before. they must be sure the Legs
1ature has done its duty in the premises.
They will inquire if every unnecessary
Office has been abolished-so far as that
may be done by legislative enactment
and all excessive salaries, fees, and per-
ouisites reduced.
we think the Legislature is making fair
nrogress in the work of retrenchment.
Many bills are being framed with the
view of cutting down expenses. 1t Is
however too early yet 10 say whether
these. or the most of these, will become
laws
If the eutting-down process goes for
ward and every useless expense is Topped
on. and should there still be lack Of
money in our Treasury. then it Will be
safe to press forward the bill levying
special pension tax. But what would be
our party's plight if the Legislature ad-
ionrned without having reduced eX-
penses materially and having increased
taxes.
If a state levy is to be made to create
a pension fund. it is essential that it shall
be preceded by rigorous retrenchment
measures We reiterate and emphasize
the expression of our belief that in case
of necessity our people viii bear
special tax; but the necessity therefor
must be made obvious.
The House committee that has invesu-
gated the subject favors laying a special
State tax rather than authorizing the
boards of supervisors of counties and the
councils OF cities TO levy taxes for the
purpose.
The latter system would be by far the
most economical See how eXtravagant
some of the counties are when spending
the States money for criminal expenses.
Is il reasonable to suppose they would
be more economical in the matter of pen
sions that were to be paid by the Com
monwealth? We doubt it. on the other
hand. there Is force in the argument that
the service these soldiers rendered was TO
Virginia, not primarily, at least, TO the
political divisions of the state.
Again. some counties sent many men
70 the front: others sent comparatively
few. and it would be a hardship to the
counties and cities thar did their duty
best 10 be made 10 bear heavier burden
OF taxation on this account than others.
Up t. date. we know Of no measure
that has passed the two houses that is
likely TO bring in any considerable
amount of new revenue. our information
Is that the Parks bin viii not DO so.
Personal property returns are probably
as fairly and fully made in Virginia as
in any other State Of the Union. Ger
talnly we are much more successful in
getting in our proportionate share Of the
revenue from this source than New York
and Connecticut are.
or course there are Nirginians who
do not return an of their evidences OF
debt. just as there are men-good. pious
men. .too--who have their horses and
hogs. their cows and sheep assessed at
ridiculously small sums. A publication Of
the averages OF the personal property OF
each county in this state would be 4 reve-
lation 10 most people-among them, many
members Of the Legislature We are con
WINGED that such publication would
show that the townspeople of Virginia
are not the only ones VINO escape strict
compliance with the law in reference 20
returns OF personal property.
Nor can we rely upon harsh and in
equitable laws to produce as much reve-
nue. AS laws that are recognized as toler-
ably fair. There are hundreds Of tax
payers who viii submit to conservative
laws who VIII resent great injustice and
who VIII hasten 70 convert their bonds
ard stocks into securities which are be-
yond the reach Of our tax officers.
However all THIS is aside OF the main
question. What we started out TO say
Il shat n provision Is TO be made (as W.
hope for the care Of our INDECENT old
soldiers By the levying OF a special tax
it would be well for the Legislature 70
prefaGe that action By making such an
exhibit % viii convince the people that
nothing else could be done. II. after
every EFFORT TO retrench bias been OK
hausted, there Is not enough money JET,