Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-31
ACAnp FROM MIR. wICkHAM.
what He Did Say About the Ffnnn-
cisI Condition of the state.
Richmond. Va. August %. 1S'9

Richmond Va. August 10 lS'3.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
see in this mornings issue the follow
ing statement:
"A speech by Hon. Henry T. Wickham
in the Virginia Senate near the close OF
the session OF lsg7-ss in which he pre-
dicted that an Increase in real estate tdA-
alton in 1901 would probably be necessary,
attracted attention at the time, ana prop-
ably has had much to do with crealins
the very general impression that tax Dur
dens are 10 become heavier
/ made no such prediction. am no'
aware that there exists any geneIal I'M
preston that tax burdens are TO become
heavier Certainly no SUCH impression
could have been created by me.
The Finance Committee Of the Senate
directed me to submit their report on
Bill No 511 appropriating the public rev
enues for the fiscal years ending respec-
lively on the Goth OF September, 1898, ana
on the Goth Of September, 1899. AS eX-
panatOry OF this report, which l maze
on February 10, 1898, | wrote out AT
length the remarks | proposed TO make,
so that I am able TO produce exactly
what did say, for contrary 10 my usual
custom, / read the manuscript to the
Senate. The Senate did me the honor TO
cause to be printed the full text of my
remarks and the tables submitted by me
in reporting from the Finance Committee,
copy OF which | herewith enclose, the
substance of which was published in your
issue of February 20, 1898.
/ not only made no prediction that an
increase in real estate taxation would be
necessary in 1901, but / respectfully sub
nit that I showed by the careful resume
of receipts and disbursements and estl-
mated revenues and expenses which L
presented, that the State of Virginia was
easy in it's financial condition, that IL was
not i'm any financial stress. and / urged
the duty resting upon the Legislature to
give relief 10 the people who had sent
them there. especially the great agricul-
tural portion of our State, and pointed
out where and i'm what manner | thought
that relief could be given. So far from
predicting any increase in taxation, l
ventured TO show how. in my opinion at
least. a reduction might be made and l
concluded my remarks with these words:
81 submit, therefore that now having
reviewed in detail the whole situation,
knowing thoroughly your sources Of rev.
enue and recognizing the demands made
upon you for appropriations, 1t becomes
your duty to address yourselves serious
~ TO the question Of responding to the
cry that comes from the agricultural PEG
pie OF this State TO tighten their burdens.
But, tell you, however. that the peo-
pie demand that YOU take care Of the
Confederate veterans. and / do tell you
that they demand that you make such
reductions i'm these other particulars as
will cut off any unnecessary expenditure.
which it may be you can safely do, and
| trhf fh f,, Tor
with your increased receipts from the
sources / have indicated, and the great
reduction which we hope will follow from
the legislation you are enactng In re-
gard 10 criminal expenses, Will enable
the people when they come to pass upon
these constitutional questions TO so re-
organize their government that they may
speedily receive a substantial reduction
I'm their burdens whether that reduction
be in the shape Of a direct reduction OF
the rate of State taxation from 40 10 81 or
81 cents, or whether it be in the reduced
values OF real estate which We think will
take place i'm 1900"
| used this language after I had shown
that the legislature could see It's way
with perfect clearness to July. 1905. be-
fore there was the slightest danger of a
default. and that then they would stil
have an asset amounting upon capitali-
cation at per cent. 10 $4,000 available
for the purpose Of meeting the interest
charges.
] think the public should know that the
| financial condition OF the State of Nir-
gnia rests upon a solid and Jrm founda-
ton and that there is not the slightest
necessity for, or possibility Of imposing
any further burdens upon the people or
this State, and that any agitation Of this
subject is worse than useless
1t is perfectly evident that II any gen
eral impression that tax burdens are TO
become heavier" exists. this idea is
| spread by men who are totally misln-
| formed as 90 the true situation.
Very respectfully,
Il T WICKTTAM