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

State. IL ts in this connection ana
with this In view that tho committee
recommends any necessary increase
In the force, tho facilities and the cost
of the auditors ONCE.
An additional reason for increase
OF force and expense IN the auditors
office - the fact that there is need
for analysis and study OF the figures
which are accumulated there and
great need for such suggestions. fore
casts and recomn endations as would
coming from that source influence
and guide the legislature In its efforts
TO wisely distribute the revenue OF
the State. At present the auditors
report Is but little more than a mere
statement Of receipts and disburse-
ments, void of suggestions. estimates,
study or recommendations This, In
the face Of the fact that this ONCE
and the officer in charge ought tn he
the dominating influence in the flnan-
cial affairs of the State.
More Time on Appropriation Bill.
The committee earnestly advises
that the States budget. or appropri-
alton bill, should be reported in fun.
and placed in print In tho hands Of
each member OF both branches at
least thirty days before adjournment;
and further. the committee recon-
mends that the budget so reported
shall contain no new appropriations
or any increase OF the regular items
or OF salaries. and provision that
no new item of appropriation or In
crease Of any item shall become part
Of tho bill unless upon Its own merit
and apart from any other item 1t
secures the usual constitutional vote.
! The committee is reliably informed
states institutions the balances OF UNI
expended appropriations have been,
! for successive years, retained until
! they assume the character of cumu-
/ latffe balances, and there is an evil
/ dent purpose to create and hold a
! cash fund for future disposition OF
/ the management This would be I'm
! possible If the recon lamentations OF
! the committee as to payments from
the auditors ONCE were put In force.
And here 1t might not be amiss to
say that during the present year the
State was borrower. while various
institutions, having drawn in cash
! their appropriations, were carrying
balances in bank, and oflcers in pos
! session OF funds. the property OF the
State. were withholding them in bank
:, or otherwise.
/ The committee ventures to suggest
that the safest and best place for the
deposit of State funds Is the State
treasury.
This committee is of opinion that
there Is no department or interest of
the State government which can hon
orably. in view of the situation and
the outlook, encourage enlargement
and increaed expenditure as though
the mere uorthiness or great desira-
hif{fN t1F m M ~ cnt,td u
expenditures greater than the people
can bear or the government provide
without utter disregard to the dictates
Of prudence and violation to we'll I'M
derstood principles. The future well
faro Of the Commonwealth, rs we'll a.
the urgent appeals OF enthusiast ~
must have consideration. There Is
no interest too sacred to practice
needed economy.
Have Information Ready.
The committee respectfully recon-
mends that his excellency. the Gov
ernor. call upon the auditor TO fur
nish, In print before the assembling
of tho next Legislature, q statement 81
the maximum revenue Of the year
1911, with 4 statement Of the actua
disbursements and a statement of thu
visible and actually collecttble asset.
OF the State, available for tho dis
statement OF the unpaid approprin.
tions and other liabilities to the enc
Of the year, to the end that the Leg
islatnre may know of "A certainty
whether 1t must begin the year 1911:
with Il eash balance or with a de
felt.
The committee would also sugges
that his excellency. by such means al
he may deem best, urge upon tins
Ia -. l.
cessity for a strict supervision OF rht
criminal expenses and the elimina,
ton Of every expense which can rea
sonably be avoided.
Tax Returns Not Full
1t is the opinion of those well vers
ed in such matters that the returns
OF personal property, particularly O
the item Of income, are not keepint
pace with the increase OF wealth II
the State, and the committee think!
that the time has come to institut,
grand jury INQUIRIES into tho amour
and character OF the personal prop
ertH returns OF aii OF the cities ant
counties of the Commonwealth: tina
tho judges be advised OF this nccessi /,
and urged 10 summon their jurie,
tor this inquiry
The committee Is convinced that i
proper returns can be secured thu
state Will DE able 10 meet All OF IL
responsibilities without further in
crease Of taxation in any form what
soever, and there will be good reason
even to expect some reduction Of tn,
rate.
The committee takes this occasion
to warn the heads Of department.
that II Is probably vain to expect an,
further immediate increase of the ap
preparations. and to urge upon their
the adoption OF stricter economy ano
better methods, aueh as do not involve
at the same time greater expense.
The COMMITTEE urges the importanc.
of some effective measure to secur,
and 10 enforce the payment of tht
. poll taxes. and especially those
which are returned delinquent, the
. loss on this item alone being ovel
100000 per annum The enforced
collection OF these outstanding sunni
would not only aid the State finan
cially. but would bring TO the poll,
to vote on important issues thousand,
, OF mon In the Commonwealth, who
because of their neglect or indiffer
ence. find themselves on election da,
disfranchised and helpless. And n
they lose their rights rs citizens ant
the Commonwealth loses their influ
snce of their intelligent vote OH al
the great issues of the State and Of
the country.
1t Is we'll known fact that hun
dreds of our young men, especially ir
the larger cities. who arc charged onl,
with the poll tax, and who are no.