The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-19
VERY DEF ECT|vE
Says MIR. SADLER
Senator From Powhatan Will
Push Bill for State Account
ing Reform.
NEW ORDER TO COUNTIES
Library Offices Not Alone to Be
Included in General Scheme
to Be Evolved.
NEW ORDER TO COUNTIES

--A--
Thoroughgoing plans for reformation
Of the Virginia financial system. reyolu-
tionizing tho methods now In vogue from
the small local transaction OF the clerk
In the distant county to the movement OF
millions through tho State officers at the
Heat OF government, will be proposed DUR
Ing the session OF the present General
Assembly and urged by prominent NOM
beers, who do not hesitate to denounce
present conditions In the strongest terms.
The first step in the movement was
taken when Senator Camm Patteson. OF
buckingham. introduced resolution
calling upon tho Committee for Courts OF
Justice to make an investigation and
report a comprehensive reform bill, and
inc second step came yesterday in a
measure proposed by Senator Sadler. OF
Powhatan, providing for tho appointment
OF II permanent auditing COMMITTEES. In
accordance with the terms OF the state
Constitution. Both Senator Paterson and
Senator Sadler are determined to nress
the matter, and the nature OF the dis
cussioh among the great body of the
.os,''a.ors indicates clearly that there
WIZ pe something doing" In addition
" nus. senator sadler is now preparing
general BILL which he Will hold In read.
mess for presentation " Mt any time there
appears danger that the Patteson r.soIns
Ton VIII die in committee.
Says System is Rotten.
me system Is rotten from the bottom
w. ~, suio the Powhatan member, yester-
49, 49, ~ very pain language. There must
pe change and a very thorough chanva
at mat The reformation must affect No,
only the affairs at the seat of govern.
nent' but every county and city treasury
that receives State taxes. The plan nust
pe inclusive, must cover the financial
system of Virginia in small as we'll as
great matters, and must be modelled after
the most modern and perfect systems now
IN use In this country.
There Is no telling how much money
the state has lost and Is still losing as n
result of the slipshod methods now in
vogue here. I could recite many instances
TO emphasize this. Why, | am informed
by the auditor that the new requirement
compelling Justices of the peace to fur.
nish receipts for fines imposed and paid
and to enter the amounts on stubs in the
receipt book, has of Itself added 5000
to the revenues of the State. There should
be similar system of checking UP from
the auditors office itself down to the
county clerks. The bill l am preparing
will propose such a system and with the
Auditing Committee provided for in this
separate bill L have just offered will,
think. effect the change desired.
With reference to Tue State Treasury
Department, the bin will propose plar
carrying out the suggestions made b!
Governor Montague IN his message.
have consulted with Auditor Marye ant
so far from being opposed to a change
he is heartily in favor of anything tina
will improve the present conditions.
shall hold this bill back for awhile unit
/ see what the Courts Committee VIII DC
with the Patteson resolution
Auditing Committee.
Discussions on both sides OF the House
among members of the General Assem-
bly,, indicate clearly that this matter
will not be allowed to be Obscured. Sena.
tors and delegates alike express their be
lief in the necessity for change, anC
with this sentiment existent and grow.
ing, there can be little doubt that actor
of some sort will be taken.
Under Section IS of the Constitution
OF Virginia. the General Assembly is re.
CURED at each regular session to ap-
point standing committee consisting OF
two members Of the Senate, and three
members of the House OF Delegates
which shall be known as the Auditing
Committee. Strange enough the General
Assembly has heretofore completely over.
looked this requirement. 1t was in line
with this constitutional provision that
Senator Sales offered his bill. The bill
reads in part as follows:
At each regular session Of the Cen
I hn thA
senate shall appoint two members OF
the Senate and the Speaker of the
1 House OF Delegates shall appoint three
who together shall constitute an Audit
ing Committee, whose duty 1t shall be
the books or ofenen n 5z
tho First Auditor, the State Treas
nrer;; the Secretary Of the Common
the seat OF government whose duties
pertain to auditing or accounting for
the State revenue, and 70 report the
Goyernor, and to cause the same to be
published In two newspapers OF general
CIRCULATION In the State
recess Of the General Assembly, and
may adjourn from time to time until
Its work yhn Is C, Each member
same pay per day, that q member OF
the General Assembly receives, except
ai n na dha d b dRai a only f5r the a
employed in attending the COMMITTEES
meetings, or rs doing work authorized
by the committee. Members shall be
allowed the same mileage going to and
from meetings of the committee as is
now aiiowed members. OF the General
Assembly. me committee shall have
power to employ one or more expert
lions.
The sum of five thousand (5,ooo)
dollars, or as much thereof as may be
necessary, is hereby appropriated out
of the funds of the State not otherwise
appropriated, to pay the expenses OF
the aforesaid Auditing Committee.
An emergency existing. In that this
committee. shall be appointed during
the present session of the General AS.
sembly, therefore. this act shall take
effect from its passage.
Mr.. John w. Starke Chosen.
Mr.. John w, Starke has been elected
!! nresldent Of Richmond Union No 11o-