The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-29
81 don't care zcho's Governor,
l AM AUDITOR, and l 7clH
put it (thc tax) ON you (the
farmers. J"

Put u \lHo IaA u" ~" w.
farmers. s.)"!!
This was the consoling declaration OF Auditor
Woods to the people of Monroe, at the late whig
meeting in this place. In this declaration can be
recognized the boasting Of self-willed political
demagogue, "clothed in little brief authority"
OF the character Of this man, prior to his being
chosen Auditor Ct State, we know but little, ex-
cept in his connection with some of the swindling
operations of the Bank Of Hamilton, OF which ne
was President, and by which the people Of the State
lost large amount OF money.
We see It stated in some Of the whig papers that
the Bank OF Hamilton was, at all times, able to
redeem their notes at their face. If this is true,
then are the officers of that concern the more cul-
pable. Forit is well known, that IN the year ls42,
the notes of that bank were quoted IN some Coun-
erfet Detectors at so cents discount and in others
II was marked "failed." Now if it is true that the
bank was, at all times, able to redeem its paper,
why this depreciation The officers OF the bank
are undoubtedly culpable, for allowing its paper to
depreciate when the bank was able to redeem it.
We can see no reason for this other than that those
concerned in the managementof OF the institution
desired to speculate on the depreciation OF their
own paper Suppose at the time of the explosion
of this bank that there 100 900 dollars OF its
paper in circulation, which was sold by the hold
ers at SO cents on the dollar-this would occasion
loss of fifth thousand dollars! And suppose
further, that the officers Of the bank had their
agents all through the country buying up these
promses-to.psy at this great discount, can 1t not
be easily seen how snug fortune 10 to be realized
by this transaction The officers of the bank knetc,
il such was the fact that the bank was able to meet
all lis liabilities the people could not kr,o,o,
and consequently sold the paper at its market value
Since Mr.. Woods has been Auditor of State the
people have had ample opportunity to test his po-
litical faith and honesty. No sooner has he the
power than he displays determination to act the
tyrant; and so arrogant and overbearing is he that
he Is not content with exercising every iota OF au
thority granted to him by our laws, but he comes
daringly forth and tells the very persons whom he
is expressing, that he " has increased the tao, and
avould do soft the Heaoens JeN." and will act
hereafter according to his own will; disregarding
the known wishes of the people, and the advice
and counsel Of the other officers of State.
Auditor Woods not only boasted of the author
ity vested in him, of levying the tax of the State
according to his own opinions, but attempted, most
ungenerously, to abuse the former Representative
of this county, for introducing bill to curta this
one.ma,.po,cer, which Auditor Woods holds SO
dear
The principles held out in the decaratian-"I
don't care ,Cho's Governor, ] am .duditor"-are
such as can be sanctioned by no republican, and
such as no public officer has right to make. If
such principles are tolerated in our government,
the people have no guaranty that their rights will
be respected. In fact, such declarations contain
the elements of destruction to every representa-
tive government, and no such government can ex-
is longer than its officers continue to act in accor
dance with the expressed will of the majority OF
the people. Now the Tax law is to be one of the
tests in the coming election, but, no matter how
the people may decde-no matter "who's Gov
ernor," Woods is .auditor," and he will do as
he pleases.
In the beginning of his speech Auditor Woods
expressed himself after the following manner
About 20 years ago a new era commenced in
our State Government, about that time three great
measures weie put in operation by our Legislature
three great principles Of which every citizen
should be proud-one of which was the act to affect
loan by which to carry on contemplated internal
improvements" &c. Now we suppose Auditor
Woods speaks the sentiments ofhis friends through.
out the State-h not, why do they not condemn
him? We'll, then, suppose this party continue in
power-if they are proud of the improvements,
and debts already made, as matter of course they
will be anxious to be proud of more. And the
consequence will be that we will have host of
other Improvements with host Of other debts;--
and Auditor Woods, remaining in office, will say,
" these are great Improvements, we have contract
ed large debt, which we must pay, Or we must
repudiate; but that would be disgrace. It shan't
be done. l am Audiior. have the levying of
the taxes and you shall pay" Now we are no
means in favor Of repudia!ing our present State
debt; but If Improvements and appropriations of
money ale continued to be made for such purposes
as building new State Houses, making more new
officers and increasing the salaries of the old ones,
IS was done by the last wing leglslature-the time
may arrive when the people will be compelled to
repudiate or become the tenants, on what were
once their own farms, to such men as Alfred Kel.
ey, Auditor Woods, aud others. Ifsuch men are
to remain in power, can we ever look for "deliv.
erance from the jaws of the deyourer" What
else can we expect than to be called on 10 giue,
GIVE, GIVE, until like starved dogs, we wander
IN search Of a spot where we may die and feel sure
our bones will remain unmolested.
0c;- The GAINESVILLE Aurora speaking Of the
Wing meeting at that place, says:
'We heard Mr.. Woods for about an hour on the
ubject Of the extravagant expenditure of the pub.
ic money in the construction Of the Muskingum
Improvement, and Miami extension canal, and
fontz, Barney, Murine & Co. He asserted that
fontz and Murine had stolen $50 900 of the mon.