The Washington times., 1933-12-22
BY JOHN E. TAYLOR

BY JOHN E. TAYLOR
Virginia has a population Of
2,435, 900, including the independ'
ent cities with a population Of
$685. 1886.
Before going into the county
populations it is pertinent to
point out that these independent
cities owe no allegiance to the
counties, although located in
them. Most of the cities are
county seats.
The county has its Jail, it's
courthouse and it's staff Of Off
cials; the city likewise.
Alexandria is the sole excep-
ton. It is not in any county,
being, as the United States Postal
Guide points out, an "independ-
ent city" There are two others
in the country-Baltimore and
st. Louis.
Pay Much Indirectly
= Residents of the independent
Virginia cities pay no county
Observation-Disclosures they pay
plenty indirectly.
Much of the money they pay
for automobile licenses and the
gasoline taxes, for example, goes
to run the counties.
Subtracting the urban popula-
ton of the State leaves 1,741,1 ,164
persons living in the counties; on
farms, in hamlets, villages and
the smaller towns. This amounts
to an average Of 17,411 popula-
ton for each Of the 100 Virginia
counties.
These counties cost about $29-
OO0, 900 annually to maintain and
much much Of it is in the form Of
It has been pointed out in these
articles that for geographical and
economic reasons some county
governments cannot be conSoli-
dated. However, in this story,
some Of the counties in the north
ern Tidewater, Piedmont and
Northern Neck" sections of the
State will be grouped for pur-
poses of Illustration.
Counties Are Grouped
Frederick county, excluding the
independent city Of Winchester,
has a population of 13,167. These
taxpayers could be grouped with
Clarke, 7,167; Warren, 8,340, and
Shenandoah, 20,655, for a total
governmental unit Of 49,729 popu-
lation.
Loudoun and Fauquier, much
alike geographically and tempera-
mentally, with populations Of 49,
1926 and 21,071, respectively, for
a total of 40, ,896, could be grouped.
Fairfax and Prince William,
having total population Of 3d.
7S4, could save money by elimi-
mating one government. Fairfax
has 25,264 and Prince William,
1880.
Three county gov ernments
could be eliminated by the con-
solidation of Rappahannock, Cul-
pepper, Madison and Greene coun-
ties. Rappahannock has 7,717;
Culpeper, 1906; Madison. 1882,
and Greene, $3.50 for a total OF
1886.
Others Are Combined
Orange, Stafford, SpotsylvaAia
and Louisa, with a total popular
ton Of 44,335, could be grouped.
Spotsylvania has 1856, exclusive
Of the independent city of Fred
ericksburg: Orange, 12,07O; Stat
ford, $3.50, and Louisa, 14,309.
One governmental unit could
administer seven counties as well
as the seven now in existence
when King George 5,297; Caroline,
1929; w S tmoreland, 8,497;
Northumberland, 11,081; Rich
mond, 6.878; Lancaster, 1896, and
Essex, 6,976 are considered. The
total population is 60,888.
Accomac and Northampton, the
two counties on the Eastern Shore
Of Virginia, with 1854 and 1855,
respectively, or a total of 81, 400,
could, as has previously been
pointed out merge their govern
mentS with gain to the taxpayers.
There are 41.593 persons living
in Middlesex, King and Queen,
Matthews, Gloucester and King
william counties. The counties
lie side by side and good roads
weave through them. These coun-
ties are small in population. Mid
dlesex has 7.243; King and Queen,
1913; Matthews, 7.784; Glouces-
ter, 11,O19, and King William.
1929.
The 1890 census figures have
been used in this article and will
be used in the subsequent stories.