The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-01-20
VIRGINIA MUST
RAISE MORE CASH
GROWING WORK OF DEPART
bIENTS AND INSTITUTES CALI
FOR MORE MONEY.
SaOO,OOO SAID TO Be NEEDED
Proposition 60 Revise Tax Assessments
and Make LuNurics Pay Heavier
Acensc-ISXpreSs Companies
and Insurance Co BE
EQualiLcd.

for the General Assembly 10 MAKE
appropriations that will require in
dressed OUTLAWS of the public funds to
the extent OF $275.0OO or 100000
year. This increase, says the report.
Is the very minimum required, and
means. somehow, must be found to
meet il. Here is the full text Of the
report
The Committee Of Finance of the
Senate. acting in pursuance Of Senate
resolution OF March Z, 1908, assem-
bled at the Capitol at II N. Deem
Der 18th, and took up the work con-
templated in said resolution. Adjourn
ment Yas taken on December 22d un-
Til January 6th, when work was re-
Eumed. Statements Of receipts Of the
State from its various sources OF rev.
enue and the disbursements were fur
nished in detail by the financial off,
Gals OF the State.
Information as to the needs Of the
departments OF government and of the
institutions receiving aid from the
State was asked for by the commit
tee and furnished by their respective
heads. These statements are on file
with the committee for its use and
the use Of members OF the General
Assembly.
The receipts from banks and in
comes were also disappointing.
SbOuldn't Cut Salaries.
The committee recognizes its inabil-
ity to comply with the terms of the
EeSOtuuOn requiring L prepare the
appropriation bill proper without in
crease of salary or an annuity that
would not decrease the present appro-
priation for these purposes. if framed
so as to carry no greater sums than
are warranted by our present sources
of revenue. With the present high
cost of living. materially TO decrease
the appropriations to any OF these de-
paTtments or institutions, or TO reduce
the salaries of the comparatively few
officials who are not protected by con-
sutuuonat provisions, would seriously
cripple and embarrasS many Of the
State departments and institutions.
The salaries of officers and en-
Ployes Of the government including
those of judges. is only $2SS4SO of
which sum $50. 457O2 is provided by
counties and cities out of their local
levies 10 pay their part of the judges
salaries.
The committee docs not believe
IL is either the wish or TO the in
terest Of the people Of Virginia to
check the splendid progress the
State Is making along the lines of
educational, moral and material
Development, and until their rep
reSentatiVeS refuse TO provide the
necessary revenue, IL heSitateS to
recommend decreased apprOpria-
tons TO any of the many worthy
causes.
The. General Assembly of 1908 made
lot SUBSTANTIAL better
ments to many Of our institutions and
established new institutions and de-
Partments. making forward move
ments along many lines.
The largely increased appropria-
lions made by the General Assem- bly
OF 1906 TO the public free schools and
high schools were still further in
creased by the sum of $2SO,00O in the
two years just ending.
Some Big Figures.
lot 20 A.
Increased 100000 in these years The
Health Department was given an in
crease OF $4,000 and reorganized to
do most efficient work. The policy Of
anticipating the requirements OF the
sinking fund. and thereby leaving no
doubt as to the intentions OF the State
to carry out every provision OF the
debt settlement inaugurated in 1906,
was still further emphasized by in
creased appropriations of 100000 In
these years. Increases of $79,47e.47
over the preceding two years were CIV
en- the military, and thereby our mill
tia was enabled to reap the benefits
OF Federal appropriation under the
Dick bill. Criminal expenses increased
$40. 4O9.S2. largely because OF the
more liberal allowances made to wit
nesSes. jurors. county and district off,
Gals Pension appropriations were
increased $4,000. yet the sum now
appropriated has failed to meet the
applications from the new classes add
ed By the last pension act by approx
imately Sos. 200.
new charge of $50, 900 must
be provided for next year for the
rcaSSessment of real estate (thiS
happens once in five years) $I1O-
600 must be provided for the cost
OF the General Assembly, which
did not appear in the last fiscal
year. The appropriations made
for bettermentS at our old and
buildings ut our new institutions
consumed most of the surplus on
hand October 1, 1907, and il has
taken at least the current rcVe-
nuos fully to provide for current
expenses.
A careful investigation into the
needs of the departments and in
stituHOnS cOnYinceS the commit
tee that necessary Increases must
be made which will amount i'm
the aggregate To $275, 600 or $780,
OO0 land much more could he
prOAtably eXpended) for the fiscal
year beginning March 1, 1910.
large part Of this is for the care
OF the unfortunate insane in our pres
ent 0yercrowded hospitals and for re-
lieVing the congestion and providing
more facilities by removing the cpl
leptic insane into new quarters, which
must be provided. AS intimated ear
lier in this report, the committee does
not believe the present and estimated
sources Of revenue under existing laws
Will yield sufficient revenue to provide
the money needed for all of the many
worthy objects which in its judg-
ment do not now receive more than
is absolutely essential.
Sources of Revenue.
Hoping to be spared the necessity
the splendid progress the State is now
making, the committee does not be
lieve it eXpedient or proper. if indeed
contemplated by the resolution, that
of framing a bill which would retard
bill ready for intelligent action
could be presented at the opening of
the session. but the committee does
believe that there are many sources
from which more revenue can be pro-
Vided without working any hardship.
and has devoted much work to the
preparation of bills, which, in its judg-
ments will provide much OF the reve-
nue. needed. if promptly and favorably
considered by the General Assembly
nnd enacted into law. These bills pro-
vide for the supervision and eQualiza-
tfON Of assessm ents, revision Of the
laws taxing liquor, express and insur-