The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-06
MAKING BUCKLE
AND TONGUE MEET
What Was Done in the Way OF Re-
trenchment.
LAWS INCREASING THE REVENUE
Serious Opposition to n IN
the Expenses Incurred by the Jul
dietary System-No Change
in the Constitution.

Of 1878 is a thing Of the past and the
member have returned 10 their respsc-
tive homes. where they will have to give
an account Of their stewardship In legis-
lating on behalf of the Commonwealth
and its people. Whether or not the ses-
sion has been a successful one, remains
10 be seen. II the number Of bills passed
be a criterion then the result IS TO be
called a very good one, for more new
laws have been placed on the statute
book han in any Of the recent sessions.
When the representatives Of the people
came mere. they were instructed to labor
I'm the interest OF rctrenchtnent n re-
form. They started In with That object
IN view. and they talked a great deal or
retrenching; true. they passed some mea'
sures 10 that effect. They abolished a
few positions and cut down salaries, some
more than others. For instance, they
cut down two clerks of the Court OF APP
peals I'm Stanton and Wytheville from
500 to 1920. They also reduced the crimi-
nal expenses 10 some extent, by cutting
down fees OF various officers connected
with the court.
40 ~ MI 80
The most important rotrenchment men-
sure. however. failed 10 pass. II proposed
to make cities and counties pay their own
expenses I'm misdemeanor cases, while the
salaries OF tho court officials In turn
should be paid by the State. This measure
met with tho most violent opposition on
the part Of members who represented
counties that have been accustomed 10
receiving far more money from the state
treasury than they pay in annually. Had
this bill become a law. the local authori-
ties would have naturally become inter
ested I'm q reduction OF their expenses al
home. Under present circumstance the
matter is lightly looked upon and tho
usual argument is that the State can well
afford il.
IL has been estimated that the general
appropriation act will result In a say
ing OF about SOL. 900 for the present is
cal year, and Of about sl06.o0 for the
next one. II is also claimed that other
measures have been enacted laws which
will largely increase the revenues Of the
State. The future will show whether
this supposition is a correct one or not.
Two things. however. have to be consid-
cred. The expenditures OF the State have
Of late exceeded the revenues by about
$4,000. Beginning with the year 1902 the
interest rate on tie ~ntury bonds will
be increased from TWO to three per
centum, and this will require an add
tioral expenditure Of about $4,000
annually. Besides in 1900 the entire prop
crty In the State has to be re-assessed
under the law and IL Is more Ia likely
that in view Of the deterioration OF an
values the new assessment will be far
below the one of 1895.
TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION.
Under the present Constitution of this
State only about 10000 OF the expendi-
lures can 30 regulated by legislation.
while about $1,000. 600 are fixed by that very
constitution. The natural consequence
therefore was I'm view OF the financial
condition OF the State that a change Of
the constitution was deemed 10 De very de-
sirable. A bill was introduced submitting
to a popular vote, the question whether
a constitutional convention should be
held TO frame a new constitution. The
Senate wanted TO have the question sub
mitted at the spring election in 1899. while
the House was in favor Of doing SO
IN fan Of 1899. No agreement could be
reached and the matter fell through.
Governor Tyler. In a special message
10 the Legislature, suggested the appoint
ment Of a Constitutional Commission to
prepare the most needed changes Of the
Constitution. Five bills looking to the
creation OF such Il commission were alone
introduced In the House. but there the
matter rested. 1t stands To reason that
II the delegates 20 such a convention
were 20 be selected In a similar maune
as the members OF the General Assembly
the opposition TO a reduction OF the ex-
p%ensive. complicated and superiuous ju-
dicial machinery would be about the
same. and that no practical result as 10 q
reduction OF the number OF courts would
be achieved.
ANOTHER WAY.
There was still another way left TO
bring about needed changes In the Con
stitution by having constitutional amend
ments agreed upon by the General As
sembly. This method. however, is a
rather tedious one. FOR II takes about
six years before such an amendment can
90 into force. II has 10 be agreed % by
two consecutive sessions Of the Lepisla-
ture. and II has then 20 be submitted
to a vote Of the people Of the State.
Several Of such amendments to the
Constitution were offered IN The Legisla.
turc during the session just closed. Two
Of them were agreed 20; n provides
that hereafter oysters taken from natural
oyster beds shall be- taxed at the samt
rate as other property; the other
abolishcs the spring elections FOR munich
oai and local Offices. so That they shall be
held hereafter at the fan elections. there
nv enecting quite a saving 10 the State
treasury.
Another amendment was intended 10
make every voter In the state pay his
capitation tax Of S1.5O before the first
day OF July in each year. for the preced-
ing year. This means an ADDITION 70 the
State treasury Of about si20NO annually.
but the amendment was not acted upon
Another amendment which met with the
same fate. looked 10 a reduction ~ the
number II courts by Introducing district
courts instead OF the Circuit and County
Courts.
UNIFORM LEGISLATION.
A successful effort has been made in
the direction OF securing legislation uni
form with other States, and a general
act relating 10 negotiable instruments,
as II exists In a number of other States.
can now he found OF the statute book
OF Virginia. In order TO continue the
work in the direction OF uniformity or
legislation, Governor Tyler has been en-
powered by an act OF Assembly 10 APP
point commissioners 10 represent Nir-
GINA In such deliberations.
There are still a number OF bonds Of
the old State debt outstanding. and the
Second Auditor has been authorized TO
fund such bonds in century bonds If the
applications are presented TO him until
June 10, 1895.
INCREASED REVENUE.
A question which had been given a
deal OF prominence during the entire ses-
sion was how to increase the revenues