The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-02
are daily being teggared and rendered
homeless by unjust national legislation.
DEAF EAR.

will speak her voice for her people, ana
that the example will be followed by All
the Commonwealths In this Union, de-
manding that some better financial sys-
TEN shall be adopted than that which
at present prevails. IL In burning
shame that the statement Is almost daily
and hourly made that there is plenty OF
money In a few favored centres, while
1t Is an admitted fact that through the
broad land and among he people there
is not enough 10 meet the tax-burdens
laid upon them. Retrenchment and econ
omy Is a necessary principle. but how IL
Is TO be practiced on "A pace with an ever
decreasing value OF taxable property UNI
der our present financial system / cannot
tell. Therefore / earnestly hope that
Virginia's voice will be spoken by the
Legislature in no uncertain sound. asking
from the Federal Government attention
10 the real needs Of the people In de-
handing a better and more satisfactory
banking system. and a more healthfui
money circulation.
Our revenues are now barely sufficient
10 meet demands. Soon we VIII have 10
provide for an increased rate of interest
on our public debt, which we are sac
redly pledged TO meet There are but
three things as far as ! can see that can
be done: We must either find new sub
jets for taxation. Increase the present
rate. or cut down expenses. The latter
course Is the only line on which hope
of relief can be based as far as we can
view the subject at present. And this
will be a difficult task. requiring almost
Spartan courage. But we must remem-
Der that there Is q stern necessity for
rigid economy. and that the surgeons
knife is a noble instrument IN kind but
firm hands. IL is a poor captain and
crew who will not take a reef in their
sails in the face Of an approaching gale.
OFFICE-R1DDEN PEOPLE.
] do not understand that the complain,
OF the people is so much al the amount OF
salaries paid, as against the number Of
officers the present unsuited constitution
allows TO be imposed upon them. We
Rave become an Office ridden people.
In many instances the amount OF salary
is only sufficient 20 invite n scramble for
the position, while the pay il not enough
20 furnish even a scanty support The
official has 10 find some other means 10
supplement his income. and his other
occupation usually receives about all his
time, the State and counties getting but
little return for the money paid out.
These evils should be remedied by the
consolidation OF Offices. and where con-
stitutional difficulties are in the way the
places should only he filled temporarily,
and the most speedy course possible TAX
en- 10 remove these difficulties. To this
end I hope the Legislature will appoint
a Joint committee Of its own members Or
a commission outside If deemed more de-
sirable, 10 take into considerati ton the
whole question OF constitutional changes.
and get a report before the close OF the
present session, IL possible This. Il seen :
10 me- would be the speediesi and surest
way 70 settle the question OF securing
a suitable constitution.
I hope the Legislature viii press The
measures which believe are now being
considerd 70 secure fuller returns Of per-
sonal property for taxation. The total
real estate values Of the State are SCOT
2oi 800. while the value Of all pers) VEL
property IS only shown 10 he i.H00i6.
There ought not to be so great a discrep-
ancy The personal property values ought
to be something like equal 10 the value
OF the real estate. This comes from fail
ure on the part of many holding obliga-
tons OF debt and other securities 20
make proper returns. Frequently s. is
developed that parties bequeathe much
larger sums than they had listed
during life for taxation. Such he
quests when the fact can be ascer-
tanned should have tax placed
upon said excess equal to the collateral
inheritance tax. or enough 10 reimburse
the State for al least ten years OF the
tax which IL has lost. ] think very
rigid law should be passed recurring evil
dences OF debt Of all kind that is subject
20 taxation 10 be listed with the proper
officers. and not only should the courts
be required not 10 give judgment when
. "A ha M listed
but n heavy penalty and fine should be
imposed whenever a attempt 10 defraud
the state in this way IS discovered.
Would Il not be we'll 20 require listing
OF all stock in incorporated companies.
and 10 pass a law invalidating the act
OF any corporation where II can be shown
that any Of the stock or securities Of said
company that are proper subjects ~
taxation have not bSen listed? Would II
rot be well also in order % save annoy
ance 10 our people and that we may be
able 20 put proper restraint upon corpo-
rate power 10 require. when II is feasible
al corporations doing business I'm this
state to obtain charters from the state?
FAITH IN THE FUTURE.
Lest there be those who think I have
over drawn the picture OF our difficulties.
and am inclined 10 be pessimistic ! viii
say I am not without an abiding faith
In the future u needs but a retrospective
glance for all TO recognize the wonderful
recuperaiive powers OF our grand old
State. Think OF her condition after the
last gun was fired at AppomattoX. De-
vastated in field and forest-a half million
81 slaves bewlldered by their sudden free
dom-all our focks and herds swept away,
moneyless and without banks and mill
lions of debt. She was never grander
than when she barred her bosom and babe
her sons dig deep for the hidden treas
ures. the value OF which. though thirty
wears have passed. cannot be estimated;
for as vet the search for them is but in
the dawn. Her prmeval forests. with its
varied wood invites the axe Of the capi-
talist Her wonderful water power. ready
for the spindles OF the cotton and other
factories is eager for utilization. while
eager hands weary from enforced idleness
beckon anxiously for the holders OF
money 10 give them employment. Can
not we devise means by which they can
meet in mutua' benefit? All these things
demand our most earnest attention.
A food of memories should warm our
hearts and strengthen our hands I'm the
discharge Of our duties. The memory OF
those free and Gauntless spirits who came
20 our shores. and going into the shadOwy
forest hewed out a home for themselves
besides hubbing springs where the hand
Of the unjust tax gatherer could not
reach them: where the soil was bountiful
and the skies were ready 20 drop riches
4. f.aff l.. .ff C.s.ta