Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-02-10
RETRENCHMENT AND REFORM.

We copy with pleasure the following article
from AN administration newspaper, the author of
which, if we mistake not the internal evidence oil
the matter, has been leading supporter of the ma.
tional administration 1t is true the article strong
~ reflects upon our state government: but il it
justly does so, we make no objection on that score
our doctrine is TO re:rench and reform at home, as
well at Washington, if the work is needcd--
We are not therefore afraid of discussion, or of
examination: indeed IRE satisfied, if The peo-
pie will but listen 10 discussion, and institute an
examination, into the broad field of national and
state finances that good will come ofh They will
find The national administration rotten to the core
and if the locnlocos are honest and consistent
in The views below expressed, they will do their
utmost to sweep it away As to our own state
government: liIl understanding OF lis condi-
ton Will demonstrate, we fully believe, that not
state in the Union has been economical rot II
state is little burdened, either with debt or tax
niion 1t ilas debt, indeed; but fortunately, the
mos part Of it is debt to iiself-a debt which
can easily he paid if the people so wish il, and
yet one which is not now, and never will be, ne
cessarg to he paid We will correct few errors
which are to he found in the article below. And
first the assertion that the current receipts are not
sufficient to meet the current expenses, and that
annually The treasurer is obliged 10 borrow The
rel orls Of the treasurer will show that The unnu
al state tax and the ordinary means have general.
" been more than suffcen, 10 meet The orna
nv expenses so much more that there has ordi-
naril, been IA small balance on hand, and large
balance of taxes due aud unpaid. This will he
shown clearly when we examine the stale debt
But how comes this annual act authorship the
treasurer to bonom $4,000? The explanation is
simply this: |, may, aud sometimes does, hap
Ven that orders are drawn when there are no
funds in the strong box: TO prevent difficulty and
preserve the credit OF the state this authority i:
aiven to b9rrJir, in anticipation of receiving the
funds BY the ordinary tax, The sum of $50 00(
looks arge, but this is merely the limit beyond
which the treasurer cannot in any exigency 90
it is seldom that more than from three To six thou
sand dollars have been borrowed in any one yeai
uuder this authority Aud, second, as to The state
debt the sum is greatly overrated. This debt
il ought to he borne in mind, has MT accrued or
account of inability in the treasury TO meet ,bt
ordinarg expenses OF the state. By no means ih'
whole of il has been contracted through the bull
ding of The State ilouse, and is therefore purel.
an extraordinary expenditure, such as probabl.
never will ngain he incurred THE Granite house
will prof. nbly stand so long as there is amy use io
liz. 10 show this clearly we will take tie fact
afforded by The official documents.
The sum actually drawn from the treasnry an ~.
paid for the state House is Sii''o'| q
The state debt, Sept. 80,
1889, including inter-
icrest due on money
borrowed, NIL of which
hns accrued since Feb.
Is35, wau Sl34,0s3 50
From this must he de
Quoted taxes due AMI
in arreur 393l770
Balance in the
treasury 6238 3l--45,553 Oh
l.ea,i ing the actual stale deh, over 400 -,- q.
lis means, hut Soo'"" ~
Being less than was paid Ivy Inc
State for the State House, 10y The os..o O,
sum Of e" -