The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-01
stitutlonal readings OF the bill wcr
dispensed with.
Colonel Bownan's Address.

Colonel BOvman'k Address.
In his biennial address to the House
of Delegates on the subject OF the
State's finances and expenditures, Col
onel Bowman said that the task of the
committee had been difficult indeed
The demands had been insistent, and
the resources had not been SO great
as usual.
From the beginning, the COMMITTEES
had been impressed with the fact that
Its appropriations should not exceed
}6,590.o00 tho year. This was borne
out by the report Of tho Auditor and
the message OF the Governor. He was
glad to say that the total was brought
within this limit. and yet it was so
near that tho House should DO very
careful In adding anything to the bill
There is" he said, mo room for
additions. we have tried to put the
money where It Is mos, needed. In
many cases We would have been
pleased had sc had moro TO give. but
1t vas impossible.
First We cared for the eleemosy-
nary institutions, where Increased an
nuit!es were Indispensable. Then We
divided the rest according TO our best
Judgment. There are no increases TO
| the higher Institutions of iearning-ia
| ihct, in some cases their sums nave
been reduced.
a few years ago, the State entered
upon policy of expansion in regard
to lis normal schools. The three new
institutions have been here clemoring
for two or three times what we had
to give them. For these, we have done
our best"
increases School Money.
Colonel Bowman suggested that the
bin be read item b. item AS u sub
/ stitute. sir. Spessard moved that the
appropriation for public schools be
nrst gone into. Heretofore. he said,
the schools have had to take what was
left lie referred 10 the fact that at
the last session the appropriation for
primary schools was reduced by the
amount Of cspitation taxes returned
delinquent. 1t was this which he
wanted to restore.
Mr.. White, of Rockoridge. backed
this up. He said that $4,000 was
taken from the public schools by the
Inst Legislature. and the people did
no, know II.
On division, tho Spessard motion
prevailed by e vote OF 80 TO IS. roll
call being demanded, tho votes was.
Ayes. i6; noes, 81.
Mr. Spessard then moved to strike
on, all OF tho paragraph which re-
quires the Auditor to deduct from each
years capltation tax assessment the
amount OF this GLASS OF taxes returned
delinquent for the preceding year. go
that tho State will not pay TO the
schools amounts not collected. 1t
would. said Mr.. Spessard. amount to n
difference of $4,000 the year.
Put beyond Limit.
Colonel Bowman said this would
put tho appropriation bill beyond tbs
limit. and would require it's recon.
INITIAL to the committee. He would NOT
stand sponsor for any amendment which
would make the expenditures of tbs
State exceed It's revenues.
Should an increase be made here,
said Mr.. Weaver, cuts would be neces.
sary elsewhere
Colonel Bowman said that $4,000 OF
the amount cut from schools was re.
stored two years ago, In the shape OF
a special appropriation for graded
schools of two and three rooms. and
now $4,000 more had been added a a
direct appropriation to the school
fund, making it within $4,000 of what
Mr.. Spessard wanted.
Mr.. Cox suggested that all institu-
lions be cut 20 per cent. to meet MIR.
Spessard's views.
Mr.. White called attention to the
section of the Code which requires
that 30 per cent. of the capitation taxes