Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-18
eIessk Legislative Appropriation
] b ousf Fifty Thousand Dollars.
MONEY IS now Being ADVANCED


RICHMOND, VA. Feb 17.--Crimi'
nal charges are exceeding the appro-
priation made by the general assem-
bly, by nearly $4,000.
This is an actual condition, and
Z the chances are that the excess tor
the next year will be something like
$685. 900 to $3.50. 900. The possible in
crease for the next year is dne TO
the fact that the general assembly
at its last session voted to increase
the fees of the sheriffs, the jailers.
the sergeants and others to almost
double what they have been in the
past.
While all this excess Of appropria-
] ton Is being created, the officials
Of the state are advancing the money
and allowing all sorts OF criminal
charges--that is. the legitimate ami
proper charges-in connection with
the enforcement of the statutes and
the administration OF the laws. The
reason for this action will 1t Is ar
gned, commend Itself to the people
OF the state as wise move. Were
the officers to cnt off and stop all
the criminal cases In the several cOun-
ties and cities. the persons who are
charged with offenses would have to
be kept in Jail for nearly year
they would have to be guarded ami
fed--all at the expense Of the state.
May Adnronish JUDGES.
Governor Swanson Is awe 10 the
situation and while it would be we'll.
It Is admitted. to have the matter
passed on by the general assembly
each year. this cannot be done 10y
reason of the biennial sessions Of that
body. Governor Swanson is apprehen-
sive on the subject. and will write
a letter to the several judges of the
state requesting them to see that
trials are prompt, that the business
OF tn courts is given all possible
speed with a guarantee Of the rights
Of persons charged with offenses
against the peace and dignity of the
commonwealth. The criminal eXpen-
ses are each year mounting higher
and higher. and the genera assem- |
bly, rarely ever makes ample provision
for meeting the charges for these
expenses by appropriation
Norfolk County Most Expensive.
As was the case last year, Norfolk
county is this year the banner county
for criminal charges. Last year she
expended $26.434.Uo in conducting
prosecutions against the criminals OF
that section. and il Is apparent that
all Of them were not rounded up. for
this year about One-seventh OF the
total appropriation of $325.0O6 for
criminal expenses has heen expended
in the same section. Norfolk county
spent practically five times as much
as any other county in the state dlr-
ing the year
The counties of the state expended
some $4,000 more last year than
during the preceding year. and the
settles got away with some $20,0Oo
in excess of the former year.
The prison association expended
about 5000 less than for The year
ending September 30. 1907 while the
negro reformatory spent about $1,000
more.
Put More on the Roads.
The effect of this will. it IS believed.
compel the general assembly to en-
!
the men to the highways. 81 that in
stead OF able boiled men being con
fined in the prisons during the win
ter months, engaged in the pastim"
: Of eating their heads off" the sta.e
2 will have seen the road gangs in
creased to a considerable extent an
the men will do something Ioward::
building up The state by expanding
their energies IN the direction Of IN
proving the highways.
The criminal charges include IN"
Keep, feeding. clothing and guard.n"
q the prisoners in the prisons. and
In the prisons are many men who
5 spend their time in playing cards,
singing. connecting and devising
{ sebemes whereby they may he able
20 make a living when hey get out
without the expenditure Of any labor
Figures for Cities.
Alexandria .S 2965 -
Bristol Observation-Disclosures. 2a901l
Buena Vista .......... 1924
Charlottesville ..... l.S05. 80
Clifton Forge ............ al0.0e
Danviilc ................. ?.iS5.7S
, Fredericksburg w l51l.S5
Lyncb5urg ............... 432:.gi