Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01
SLOGAN IS ECONOMY
Promises to Be Issue in vir-
ginia Assembly Election.
MILLION SURPLUS is GONE
State Has Had to Borrow Money to
Tide It 0ver-Plans Penalty for
Pistol Toters.

Pistol Toters.
Special Correspondence Of Tho Star.
RICHMOND. Va. December 81. 1910.
The campaign for the election of MEM
hers of the general assembly next year
Will be on lines calling for and demanding
strict economy In all departments of the
state government. That much is known at
this time. The report Of the state auditing
committee. which went over the affairs
of the several departments. was made
public here and some of the disclosures
were surprising. 1t developed that the
state had been compelled, between Sep
TENDER and December. to borrow not
less than $4,000 to tide over dull sea
son. This i'm the face Of the fact that
three years ago there was more than
mliioD dollars of surplus i'm the treasury
The money has been spent for the bene-
fit of the state. 1t is true. but the fact
that the state has been forced to make
touch to meet the running expenses
created good deal of TAX Schools
roads. hospitals have gotten a vast
amount of the money. When the leslS-
lature met here three years ago there
vas one mad scramble to get everything
i'll sight New schools spranS up IN every
section. there was rush to build good
roads salaries of many officials were IN
creased and there was additional
hOspital provided from the public funds
in addition to school for negro deaf
and dumb and blind.
The auditing committee takes strong
ground against any increase of taxes
holding that new subjects for taxation
really mean more money from the earn
ings of the people. For that reason, and
in order to make good the deficit, the
a il recommended
its need is demonstrated. The report held
that there were many departments OF the
state which imposed, collected and dis
burSed revenues, a practice which is rec
ommenled to end. Then there is the
reference to the custom of the state in
situations drawing their appropriations
from the state and placing them In bank
before they are actually needed. thus
forcing the state to go into the market
and borrow cash with which to discharge
the duties of government 1t recon-
mends that all disbursements be made
through the Office of the auditor
Highways for Pistol Toters.
The habit o. carrying concealed
weapons in Virginia will be discontinued
if the next general assembly will adopt
the recommendations of Gov. Mann on
that subject The habit is one that has
become SO pernicious that there is resort
TO the pistol by class of dangerous men
in all parts of the state. There is an
element of white and black men who do
not think that they are properly attired
unless they can stick into their pockets a
cheap pistol and be ready for a quarrel
at any and al, times. The habit has ex-
tended to boys. and it Is a common Oc-
currence to read of homicides by mere
children.
The governor is considering the best
course to pursue. He would like to see
and Will recommend tina. the general as
sembly shall enact a statute making it a
felony for any person, save the officers
or the state to carry weapon. fixing
t1ary. and tEen having the person viOlat-
ing the law sent to the highways for the
TERM This would have the effect of dis
franchisins the offender and the state
would get the benefit Of the service on
the highways instead of forcing the per-
son to spei:d the time in jail. He be-
heves that a drastic law is necessary to
correct a growing evil.
Within the last few months repeated
attempts have been made to murder off,
GERS. the criminal negro element being
especially active in this. The result is
that the officers are taking no risks, and
the hrst move on the part of a person
resisting arrest is met with a severe
Whack over the head. In the county of
officers. all because the Officers know thai
those who form the vicious element arc
armed and will attempt to shoot at the
nrst move made to arrest them for any
crime.
$4,000, 600 in New Buildings.
The report Of Building Inspector Beck
SHOWS that the building record for this
CITY has been established this year when
more than 100000 has been expended
III new buildings and the enlargement Of
business laces. Two of the large Office
buildings rave been enlarged one of them
neing more than doubled. and third is
cnTtSf rt-- tad ;1rx
est OF the skyscrapers hereabouts Tber,
= in contemplation a mammoth building
here FOR the general Offices of the Chesa-
reake and Ohio railroad. The offices have
Grown apace with the extension of that
system. and within the last few years
TIE clerical force has been more than
Doubled. and there is today lack of
room for the offices, The new building
which will he financed by local capital
lists. will provide quarters for ali the
various departments. which are now cen
81 trably scattered.
TIE building has not all been in busi-
ness sections. however. and i'm every
quarter tfere is TO be seen the addition
OF buildings of every sort. Residences are
great part of the total, the number OF
new homes this year exceeding that of
any year. Last year the building opera
tons reached S'.J0.0OO the record then
established being exceeded this year BY
half a million dollars.
Money for Militiamen.
Checks are being sent out by Adjt.
Gen. Sale to all the military commands
IN the state for the apportionment Of the
funds provided for the support OF the
organizations. The amount this year is
$40 fer .scn and every officer and man in
the service. based on the number actually
present d. the last inspection The total
OF the fund thus distributed is about
$25c0l
= The soldiers receive not a cent of pay
while IN the service unless it be that
they are detailed Tor duty as guards for
eucampment 10 aid the civil authorl-
ties In some places the money is used
to pay for rent for armOrieS. the smaller
towns in some instances being unable to
hear that expense. The militia today is
declared To be in the best condition in it's
history, all the companies having more
men on the roiis than the minimum re-
quired by law.
Pickpockets Infest Richmond
The police wrestling with many
COMPLAINTS OF the work OF pickpockets in
the city. Several well known business
men have been touched for their cash.
and many watches and chains and dia-
monds are missing. The operators are