The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-01-24
Observation-Disclosures.

We publish today tho report Of the com
mitteo ON finance, on the most important public
measure that has ever come before the logisls-
ture and people Of this state. 1t is an able do
cument and with much truth and oleamess pre-
scnts the issue now before the people as being
either 7aration or Reputation. This is now
the simple question before virtuous and intel
lgent people Of great state, and though many
honest men may not at first view OF the matter
thus consider il, yet moments calm reflection
must convince them that such is the case. We
have deferred action on the public debt from time
to time, vainly hoping that some practicable
measure Of relief would suggest itself TO our le-
gislators, without resortirg to the only safe aud
common sense plan Of ta1Giion. Creatures Of
the mere fancy have haunted our imaginalions
long enough, and the time Tor efficient action
&as arrived --such action too worthy ofhonoable
and high-ninded men, and not the tinkering,
shillless policy Of the demagogue and regulator.
On the subject Of an increase Of taxation
there can be but one opinion throughout the
state. All admit that we owe a large debt, and
every honest man will say il must DO paid, aud
the sooner the effort is m the sooner will the
object be accomplished. 6h this question oil
feelings of political or sectional nature should
be forgotten, and united and harmonious effort
made once more to place our financial affairs on
firm and lasting bass-we have been building
on sand, let US now dig through the outer sullacN
and reach the solid rock.
Men Of "froth and wind in our legislative
halls may speak Of the dear pcq.gh--Ihey may
dwell with honied phrases on their inability TO
pay ,axes-speak Of their girtuous poverty md
bare-fco;ed patriotism when the fact is these
same legislators know nothing abou, the real CON
diion and wants Of the taxpayers Of the state.
As an evidence Of this fact We will cite striking
case: II ia well known that the county Of Bond,
in lhis state, leads the van in repudiation--sh
has acquired dsgfaoclul notoriciy in this TO-
spect all over the Union. This same Bond coun-
county, and we suppose possesses the same wealth
and resources. Why then should she be the adj
vocate Of reputation Have high-taxes impov-
erishod her people! Let US refer to the auditors
repor, and sec. For the year 1913, Bond county
paid into the state treasury, as taxes the sum OF
S36l 81, and received from the state $3.50 80,
as hor share Of the school fund--ihus taking on,
Of the state treasury SIS IS more than she paid
into IL For the same year La Sale county paid
into the state treasury 1927 90, aud received
$3.50 90 rs her share Of the school fund-,hus
having paid $1,000 81 more than Bond county
into the state treasury, and received 81 80 les,
than Bond county from the school fund
Here Is picture for honest men TO look at
Yet, La Sale county goes for increased taxa
tion-Bond county goes for reputation, and
not content with this, her men plumber the
state TO feed their wives and educate their chill
dren. What can members know from such
county about taxation when their "dcar con.
stituents" never pay any Instead of the poo
pie Of Bond county sending representatives. to
the state capitol, they should send them to the
states prison, whore ,he Taxpayers could sup
port them at less expense.