Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-20
pOrtrayS The Present Situation and
Shows What TO Expect.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR.
Proposed Allowances Compared With
Those in the Last Bill.
SAVING OF NEARLY $4,000.
But Few Institutions suffer Large
cuts, While Many Department..
Have TO Take Slightly Lcxs-Less
for Criminal Charges.


The appropriation bill is before the Sen
ate. and its consideration will engage IN,
greater part OF the time Of that body 10,
the next few days.
While the measure was reported from
he Finance Committee on Friday. il wa;
reaily not made public until yesterday al
90 o'clock, when 1t came up as a specia,
order. The printed copies were eagerly
sought by the senators as well as by
those who are affected by its provisions
II the bin is passed as 1t comes from
the committee, II viii effect q reduction
u some S63. 400 in the cost per annum OF
the State government. The greater part
o, this saving is in the allowance for
criminal expenses. None Of the cuts are
radical some departments and institu-
tons are untouched and the allowances
.n a few instances are increased. The
soldiers Home comes in this fortunate
class. The Offices of Register of the
Land Office and Engineer at the Capitol
are left out of the bill.
PAPER. but the speech that Hon. Henry
u. Wickham, Of Hanover, made in form
ally bringing the bill to the attention of
the Senate was far more interesting. The
delivery OF the speech, which had been
prepared with great care and was full
0f information as TO the condition of the
states finances and the outlook for the
future, consumed two hours or more,
but IL was heard with close and earnest
attention. The Senator from Hanover
was warmly congratulated upon his able
EFFORT. and the manner in which he had
collected and presented just the informa-
tion that the people wanted. The bill
went over until Monday. and It was or
dered that 250 copies of the tables pre-
sented in Mr.. Wickham's speech be
printed.
MR.. WICKHArS FINE SPEECH.
Mr.. Wickham said: 1--WE have arrived
al the time when it is necessary for the
senate OF Virginia to take compre-
hensive view OF the whole field of poliu-
cal action In this State. 1t is necessary
Tor US to set our house in order, and to
do so we must not content ourselves with
scrutinizing one part to the sH exclusion 1'1 9t
others. or Of viewing one side only. II
will not do for US TO strip one room OF
that house Of the furniture, perhaps
necessary TO the occupants OF that room,
and leave another where perchance there
may be handsomer more expensive. more
luxurious equipments untouched. We are
fl. III canaffion O1 family which nnds
it necessary to exercise greater economy
in their mode OF living than they nave
done heretofore. 1t viii not do for the
head OF that family-which is the law
making pOWer--tO say 10 one member;
4 will take from you what has heretofore
been allowed you for your necessary
living expenses, or so curtan you IN your
expenditures as 10 render you no longer
an efficient member of the family, ana
an the same time leave other and more
favored members of that family from any
contribution 10 the general welfare
I'VE here in the State OF virginia are
members Of one great family. Proud or
h. proud OF it-and in that pride we take
q great and an exceeding 1oy-prOua OF
the fair name, for IN that name-N II
ginian'-is concentrated all the patrlOuSih,
owe and undying affection which gives
q true inspiration TO every son OF that
glorious mother There Is a tlde IN tne
ifairs Of government as Of individuals,
and, as in the course OF human events,
t Is often necessary for az individual 10
set his house In order, so the Crisis ap-
1roaches with governments as with me-
and We here now are face 10 race WIN
crave responsibility. There IS not one
y its grave weight. There Is not one OF
ls who would not put that burden Iroln
i'm were il possible. There is not one
II Us who will not patriotically 90 ms
Jest. prayerfully trusting that the DIVINE
Jmniscient searcher OF all hearts ana
Governor Of all nations may look win
'avOr upOn our feeble efforts, ana De
With us in our endeavor TO so shape our
egislauon that we may avoid the oah-
GERS that are before US.
A THREEFOLD DANGER.
These dangers affect our organization
.s the dominant and controlling party In
his State; they affect the faith, credlt,
md honor Of Virginia's fair name; ana,
,lr. President, they af1ect most seriously
he welfare Of the people of Virginia,
nd Of that people the great agricultural
masses more than any other.
First as TO the dangers OF the party. |
Ve know that the people are in state |
unrest. Poverty. and the scanty
means at home, are hard 10 endure. They |
au aloud for some aleviatlon, for some |
eiief from the burdens which are press
nc them ever deeper and deeper in the |
Tough OF despond. 1t is but natural |
ate. and If we fail TO heed that cry |
% you not feel that the very rock ana
JundatiOn Of our civilization may-hty, |
0t only may-but Will be upheaved IN the
nal desperate struggle or the Anglo,
axOn masses Of Virginia for existence! |
The Democratic party stands pledged |
ways 10 respond TO the wishes OF the
eOple. Should they fail 10 keep their
ledge IS there a doubt that an indignant
nd suffering people, burning win
ense OF being deceived by tar promises
nd speclous words, VIII witnhold from
0u the support when they nave 81
teadfasfly given in the past!
con the other hand, II you IAN 70 pro
ect the fair name and honor or TINS
tate: II you allow the gloomy spectIS =.
epudiatiOn 70 appear IN the tram oA 1hde
lOst hated and dreadful OF ali VisltoIs 70
% governments and nations -Mdudine
Jefcit-as she approaches with more
over for harm than any queen on eartn
assesses now, or has ever had, 10 utAock
n ernutv treasury and let ny from tnat
read abode more Ills 10 human klno
han ever emerged from Pandoras Dox'
on viii prove yourselves 10 DC un"oitny
the fair heritage you nave; Anu tnT
me viii come when you w'id t,,s d,s-
he very thought Of this. ana OF the ols-
race you have brought upon your
sNot only win come disgrace, dishonor
nd shame. but along Will come lhe ioss
Z credit, the loss OF property, the @ ioss
I support, and the loss OF nope, a lour
usiness industries VIII De paIaisss01,
spital viii avoid Virginia as though IL
ere q moral plague spot. your taxaD,e
alues will shrink, and you VIII DC ulilDle
get the means 70 defray the HecessaIg
xpenses Of your government, anu 70
laintssn the obligations whiTh every az
anlzation among civilized manklnn uas
aarges 10 the young ana Inc H''P'00"'
he infirm and afflicted.
AN OVERWHELMING DANGER.
but beyond even the dangers 70 tne
arty, and the dangers 10 your ItlI na'ne as'n
nd credit. there is an overwhelming dan
sr which lies Immediately IN 'front.' ol
10 great agricultural people OF sn,o
tate. Those who dwell in the cities nave