The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-29

I The number and variety Of the func-
tions of the State constantly Increased
VIII surely mean net 1 p,s o IN" tax a
I but In all probability It's steady IN
crease. What the people order for
their comfort ana safety and ADVANCE.
pay for also.
{ The committee desires to mention
asain some itsins contained In their re-
port dated November 10. 1909. which
have not rs yet been acted upon, ana
which they deem of suficient inpor-
lance to repeat and emphasize
Recommen dation for the amendment
! end Improvement OF the bill approved
| February 25. 1908. providing state AID
for the permanent Improvement OF
| roads
Recommendation concerning the sale
81 tags in the Agricultural Depart
ment.
Recomnle ndation for a competent &C.
! countant for School Board.
Separation OF pension accounts from
the general accounts of the Aadfter
and tho Treasurer.
cash Of appropriations to the various
! institutions Of the state.
Improvement OF the Auditors report
by yembodyinK so much Of tho Second
/ Auditors report as may be necessary
to give the reader a general and COM
plete view Of the condition OF the state
| affairs
Action by the Legislature making the
fiscal year ard the appropriation year
OF the commonwealth the same.
on the member Of he General Assem-
| bly, the re-readinE of this report as
printed in the House Journal and Doc
nments. 1919. as House Document NO g.
Make COuntles SeIf-SupporttnH.
Some th!rty-five counties OF the state
receive from the state Treasury annu-
ally more money than they contribute
to all state purposes. and TINS eondi-
ton suggests the necessity for further
consideration OF some practical method
for making the counties self support
ing at least. and, X possible. contribu-
tors to the support OF the expenses of
the. general government and OF the va
rious public charities OF the State. IL
require each county to bear It's own
criminal charges. and in other respects
sustain itself. there would be a strong
inducement to abandon the fee system
and put ali officers and employees on
the same reasonable salary basis. And
! the proba abilities are that such a sys-
TEN would hasten and render sooner
practicable the plan for the segregation
II taxes. and perhaps enable the Com
moawealth to abandon to the counties
certain lines Of property for county
taxation and county support. TIE re-
suiting advantage to the State would
be the sinplihcation OF the states sys-
tenn OF taxation. more economical ad-
ministratton and concentration OF ef-
fort upon a few great interests.
Must Practice Economy.
Tho committee believes that during
ths year 1911 and in the year following
, it VIII be necessary TO practice the
most rigid economy. Those who advo-
cate great freedom OF expenditure and
the enlargement OF every enterprise
and every useful institution and work,
while deserving credit for their inter
est and their devotion to their particu-
lar work, are nevertheless lacking in
appreciation of the fact that the bur
dens Of the State are already sufficient
TO consume even Its increased revenue.
and to cause those who are In positions
!, with considerable anxiety to tho next
!, year and those that Immediately fol-
low. The choice seems to ba between
wise economy and further prosecu
sources Of taxation, which, when found
) are, after ALL the same old source--thc
earnings OF the people.
|, The committee would not be adverse
to, but would rather welcome the d.
rect issue Of retrenchment and econo-
my in the campaign for the selection
OF members OF the next General ASSEM-
bly,, the economy to apply to every In
terest not an essential of government,
in order that tho Vital parts may hs
: literally supported and furnished with
every facility and ali necessary funds,
We can not see the wisdom Of pinehing
the vital organs OF government In order
to provide money for items. however
) mpritor,ous. which. at best. arc but the
, expression OF our desire to emulate the
acts OF others who are perhaps justi-
! hsd by their actual ability, financially.
: our present condition and without i'm
mediate outlook.
Those who have had the conduct Of
affairs for the past four years. being
inspired by the prospect Tor increased
revenue. have GLADLY and perhaps wise
~, encouraged the enlargement and i'm
provement of all the states great en-
{ terprises, but those who will not very
> soon come into power and responsible
. lily Will find It necessary rather To re-
strain extravaganza and insist upon
such s. limit OF expenditure everywhere
as will keep the state Ia possession Of
a cash balance sufficient to meet the
possible and always probable emer~
gencies of great Commonwealth.
Tender Tribute to Marye.
We can not close this report without
s endorsing ne worthy words used hs
state the death OF Colonel Morton
Msrye. the late auditor. He WAS ever
the ideal Of the Geners! Assembly FER
|. defects Of our financial system were
I rendered harmless as far as honesty in
this office could make them SO. Too
, much can no, be said in praise OF the
conduct OF ths acting auditor. {. Lea
I Moore. and III" other gentlemen Of the
9 gentlemen Of the auditors ONCE Dur
the hands of Colonel siarys. and .ha
state Is indebted to them for their
= ment can be paid them than TO cN.
press the hope that thu next General
= Assembly win establish a. system II
, auditing every dollar the State spends
: from this ONCE and this Office only.
and leave To them the task of eXecut-
ing the law.
, We congratulate the States new
8 auditor, Captain S. r. Donohoe. on the
, wisdom OF his FIRST official act. the re-
appointment Of the force of Colonel
Afarye. and believe that they Will give
, him and the state loyal and patriotic
service.
: We submit herewith the report of
the Accountant to December !, 1910,
= tStgnedl
, y. T.. sPESSARD,
, Chairman:
I JOHN S. HARDWOOD,
j. T. DEAL.
? r. &. FOfAKES
, | NOV u IJAJST-v