The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-29
GER disregard to the dictates of prn.

! ter disregard to the dictates of pru-
dence and violation to well understood
principles. The future welfare of the
Commonwealth. as well as the urgent
appeals of enthusiasts, must have con
sderation. There is no interest too
sacred to practice needed economy
The committee respectfully recon-
merds that His Excellency. the Gov
ernor, call upon the Auditor to furnish,
in print. before the assembling of the
next Legislature, statement of the
maximum revenue of the year 1911.
with statement of the actual dis
bursements and statement of the
visible and actually collectible assets
of the State, available for the discharge
of the years liabilities, and state
ment of the unpaid appropriations and
other liabilities to the end of the year.
to the end that the Legislature may
know of certainty whether it must
begin the year 1912 with cash bal
ance or with deficit.
The committee would also suggest that his
oxcellency. by such means as he may deem
best urge upon the Judges throughout the
state the necessity for strict supervision
OF the criminal expenses and the elimination
avoided.
Tax Dodging.
1t is the opinion of those well versed In
such matters that the returns OF personal
property, particularly of the item of IN
come are not keeping pace with the In
crease of wealth in the state and tho
committee thinks that the time has come
to institute grand jury inquiries into the
amount and character of the personal prop
erty returns OF all OF the cities and coun-
ties of tho Commonwealth: that the judges
be advised OF this necessity and urged 10
summon their jures for this inquiry
The committee Is convinced that II proper
returns can be secured the state Will be
able 10 meet all of its responsibilities with
out further increase of taxation in any form
Whatsoever, and there win be good reason
even to expect some reduction OF the rate.
The committee takes this occasion to warn
the heads OF departments that IL Is probably
vain TO expect any further Immediate in
crease of the appropriations, and urge
upon them the adoption OF strlcter economy
and better emthods, zach do not Involve
at the same time greater expense.
The COMMITTEES urges the Importance of
force the payment of the poll taxes, and
especially those which are returned delin-
quent. the loss on this item alone being over
$4,000 per annurn. The enforced collection
of these outstanding sums would not only
aid the State financially. but would bring
to the polls. to vote on important issues
ence. find themselves on election day dis
fTanchised and helpless. And so they lose
their rights as citizens and the Common
wealth loses their influence of their intel
iigent vote on all the great issues of tho
State and of the country
Poll Tax Collection.
1t Is well known fact that hundreds Of
our young men, especially in the larger
cities. who are charged only with the poll
tax, and who are not approached by any
agent of the government soliciting the pay
ment OF 1t, utterly neglect 1t and are con-
sequenty DISTINGUISHED. The class most
liable to these conditions are the clerks
and other employees of the larger corpora
lions and the great commercial institutions
The actual needs of the government and
Its unavoidable expenses, which first sug-
gested and necessiated and justified the TAX
alton of the people, are STILL comparatively.
small and easily handled; but the demand
of the neOple for varied SER
from the government in the matter of edu-
cation, in the care and the supervision OF
health, the inspection OF foods and other
products. the protection OF the interest of
the people in insurance and in banking. the
protection and advancement of the agrt-
cultural interests. and many other activi-
ties at first not desired or demanded. has
necessitated great revenue, which means
taxes.
continue the people will be called upon to
pay the BILL.
Erroneous IDEAS
Even now there those who complain
that the people do not receive in return
for their taxes as much rs they ought to
receive. as though 1t were the function Of
government to return to the people, In ad-
dtion to good government some tangible
value equal to the amount of their taxes
So long as this view and this spirit con,
tinue the present tax rate may be expected
to- and indeed must, continue.
The number and variety of the functions
of the state constantly Increased will surely
ent rate of taxation, but In all probability
its steady Increase. What the people order
for their comfort and safety and advance
ment they Will surely be required to pay for
also.
The committee desires 70, mention again
some items contained in their report. dated
November 10 1909 which have not as yet
been acted upon, and which they deem of
sufficient importance to repeat and empha-
size
Recommendation for the amendment and
Improvement OF the bill approved February
%, 1905 providing state aid for the perma-
nent improvement of roads
Recommendation concerning the sale OF
tags in the Agricultural Department
Recommendation for a competent account
ant for School Board.
Separation of pension accounts from the
Treasurer
Remarks on the payment IN bulk, In cash
OF appropriations to the various institutions
of the state.
Improvement of the Auditors report ~