The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-23
REASONS WHY COUNTIES
SHOW APPARENT Loss
Consultation Provides for PER Capita
Distribution Of Funds Raised fog
Schools BY Txxation.
NOT
LOCAIs- OBLIGATION
While Charged AgatRss Localities In
Which Recipients IA& They Are In
Road Disbursements Covered by
Equal Sum In Each County.


A few days ago The virginian. In
connection with the report of the
auditor OF public accounts, reprinted
therefrom the figures showing the
sums received from each county and
city in the state by the state treasury
! and The sums returned to such coun-
ties and cities.
As Indicated at the time OF publica-
lion. the figures we're printed solely
: as a matter Of public information and
not In criticism either of the system,
which caused the disbursement to so
many of the counties so much more
than they paid In. ors of the counties
themselves
However. in order that there may
be full understanding of the situa-
tIon which brings about this condi-
ton of affairs. it might be stated that
the principal itsm charged against
The counties are funds paid them for
schools, roads ard pensions.
How IL Works Out.
AS an illustration for the last fiscal
Year. Halifax county drew from the
treasury S60.S52.6 for schools. Sl9,
533.l5 for roads, and 81 $50 for pen
sions, a total of s1,sso.st for these
three items. Tho county received
from the state treasury s4s.sls.l5
more than II paid in Pittsylyanta
county received S62.S96.0b for schools
Sl4.365.3a for roads, and Sl6.t75.S0
for pensions, a total OF sss.4S7 90 for
these major items, showing a loss to
the state treasury OF ss2,09S.24. Many
other counties showed receipts and
losses 10 the state treasury in similar
proportions.
The Trainers of the states csnstitu-
tion decided that education was not IL
local matter and that money derived
from taxation for the support OF
schools should be apportioncd on a per
capita basis shown by the school
census taken every Ave years.
Pays 20 Make Education Gen~ral.
Referring TO the fact thAt Il large
proportion OF the funds used in the
support of the country schools are
raised in the cities. a prominent ciu-
sen familiar with the law and Its ope-
ration. said yesterday Are not the
cities OK Virginia. as Of other states,
largely dependent upon an influx or
rural population to maintain their VII
tally and promote their grow th% And
is 1t not To their advantage TO have
rhese new citizens come prepared for
the battles OF life by the advantages
Of education? The cities ultimately
receive large part Of the Seneat of
the money spent for education in the
counties. Doubtless large proper
tion, If ret a majority. Of RIchmond's
citixens Of today were educated out
side it's iimltR."
Continuing. he said: In addition ito
those who come to make their homes
in this city. large numb ers OF country
poys aud girls attend the higher tn
stitutions OF learning usually located
ia tho ci1ies and towns
~ to Road BUILDING.
In connection With the LARGE SANS
drawn from tho state treasury foT road
construction, 1t is pointed out IN order
20 ger ~fste aid for road construction
the communities In which the work IS
dome ngaet eewer every dollar OF state
aid with like amount. Referring to
this part OF the subject the same citi-
gen said; IT is clearly TO the advau-
tage Of the cities to be surrounded by
good roads, For instance. Henrtco
nuuntv drew from the state treasury
aurinS the fiscal year $4s330.s4 for
road purposes 10 (which amount Is 81
be addesEaa like alFa oF county fan4s
1T nsr Il total Of spprp xfTately sss.
COO spent on the roads Of Henrleo dur
ING the year. which In certainly an in
dicaticn Of progressiyeness instead 81
reflection on thar conaty. and will
anyone ciain that Richmnna did not
derive pleasure and proft from this IN
2-estment ia that eounty?
Pensions Vet Local Matter.
SO far as psnsioms are conceraed 81
course these payments. while charged
TO the counties as y matter OF book
keeping. are. q recognition by the state
If the noble services Of Confederate
veterans and 10 care fer their de
pendents and the fact that n consid-
erah BILE sum in pensions Is dlxeursed in
u county is rather an evidence that
such county furnished large quota
IT nler In defense OF the state. Surh
payments are in Hauidsuon Of a debt
OF the whole state and. of course, are
not resily ehargeabie 10 the commu~
mites In which the veterans or their
dependents happen TO reside.
Dnustffe Profitable 10 Treasury.
In the table eubllsnca last Monday
fnorNfnS the unfartnast1 transportation
Of figures made /. indicate thar Dan
vile was the only cttv in the state
which received more from the state
f~eararv than Il paid IN AZ matter
OF fact Danville resolved frora the
state tsn suyr Of .527saTs and paid
into the state treasury the sum Of
sTssnSpe, showing y gain Of sis}Ass.1s.
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