Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-03-09
1SO6--FrOm Surplus to DefIcit---1s1O,
Richmond Journal.

Richmond Journal.
An inquirer asks The Journal the
question; why do you blame Cover
nor Swanson with bsnkrupting the State
treasury and the consequent increase of
taxes to make up the deficit and not
mention the Democratic Legislatures of
1906 and 1908, which made the appropri-
ations-why not be fair?"
The Journal, replying, would saw that
1t does not intend to be unfair to Cover
nor NOW Senator) Swanson or anyone
else, and we deny the charge. =
To get back: The present condition
OF the State treasury is much graver
and more serious than many would have
the public believe, and those RESPONSE
bic for it deserve the severest censure
1t is we'll to remind those who
are so solicitous of the future welfare
OF the Democratic party, and who seek
to suppress the truth, that Democrat
&c legislative committee, acting under a
law passed by Democratic Legislature
and convention, made the facts public
and gave the warning.
Now for the facts:
Governor Swanson came into office
and received the full four years benefit
OF the tax reforms put into operation
by the Constitutional Convention. which
yielded revenue about 81, $50, 900 great
er than that Of the preceding four years
OF Governor Montague; with the sur
plus left by the Montague ADMINISTERS
ton, the total increase exceeded IS OOO
600. Governor Swanson went ont of
once with large deficit in the treas
ury, and the succeeding administration
OF Governor Mann was embarrassed to
such an extent that there is grave doubt
IL there will be credit balance in the
treasury at the end of his term.
The State government was forced to
borrow, in the fall of 1910, the sum of
$500 to meet its obligations. This
procedure was not authorized bv law
and had never been necessary before.
because In other administrations the ex-
penditures of the State have been kent
within its income.
Governor Mann tells US in his state
ment that the Legislature of last wear
raised $429, 900 additional revenue. that
the new realty assessments available
this year, with natural increases from
real estate and other sources. will pro-
duce about $475. 900 more, making over
$500, 900 additional revenue the State
will receive-which means the taxpav-
ers will put up this additional amount.
They pay the freight.
Millions of dollars could be spent nv
the State in this and succeeding wears.
but what the State expends comes out
of the pockets of people overburdened
IN taxes. The State has no other source
of income.
Who is responsible?
Inc Legislature is not, because. aside
from few, the members were not in
formed of the State treasurv's cond;-
ton. The Governor and few members
were informed and knew the actual CON-
ditions.
Unfortunately for Virginia there ia
too much one-man power, a few AFRO
eating to themselves rights belonging
to the people or their representatives.
Governor Swanson had in his possess
sion information showing that the ex-
penses of the State were largely ex-
ceedlng its income. 1t was found nee
essary to ask the railway corporations
to advance their taxes in 1908 and again
in 1909, before they were due. to meet
the States current expenses. This in
formation should have been communi-