The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16
For the Spirit of Democracy.
THE COUNTY BUILDINGS.

The COUNTY BUILDINGS.
Mr. EDiToR-Will you permit subscriber and
a tax payer, of Monroe county, to communicate to
his fellow citizens few remarks, through the col
umns of your valuable paper' [Certainly-ED1
The facts, to which wish to REFER are follows:
have been informed from reliable source that
the Commissioners, of Monroe county, have it in
contemplation to create large expenses in the way
of improvements to the Public Buildings in the
town Of Woodsfield, and have given notice to that
effect, though the notice has not yet reached our
corner.
am informed that it IS proposed to purchase a
lot at expense of about $3.50, and to build there
on new Jail at an indefinite expense. Should
the jail at McConnellsville be taken as sample,
the expense of building it may be estimated at
$4,000, | also understood that it is in conempla-
ton to renovate and change the aspect of the Court
house, so as to have two rooms or offices for the
accommodation of sslimbs OF the law" at an ex-
pense of some $500 more. All these estimates
amount to the sum of $3.50. Now the ques-
ton is, Why all this expense, under existing cir
cumstances!
| am satisfied, (and number ofmy fellow citi-
zens corroborate my vews,) that while the pro-
posed changes, in the Courthouse, would accom-
modate few individuals, it would be real en-
barrassment to the majority of the county. Let
those who have been in the practice of serving as
jurors, imagine themselves with IL or IA others,
locked up in one of those narrow rooms in the
south part of the Courthouse, where it is contem-
plated they shall be, for from II to 36 hours in
the summer months, and then enquire of them
selves, Are the citizens accommodated By this
change and great expense'
Respecting the Jail, | admit that the present one
is a rough concern; but believe it is fact, that
neither the walls the CRATES, nor the roof, have ev-
er been forced or broken, while the door has been
several times. | make no comments on this, but
merely introduce the old adage, ga jackass loaded
with gold can go through stone wall.'
| But let us look at the subject of Public Expen-
ses and Public Debts as they are said to exist. The
County Auditor in his exhibit for the past fiscal
year, represents that on the first OF June, 1876,
the county was in debt to the amount of S9,67l;*
and il is believed that the expenses of the current
year will be much greater than last, from the fact
that the expenses of the Assessment of the land
and Of the Board of Equalization will fall into the
current fiscal year. Add to this, our proportion
of the State debt, which is said to be 10 20 mil
lions of dollars, with interest. Add to this, that
| the Executive Of our State informs us that our
country is involved in an unconstitutional (D war
with Mexico, and that the finances of the General
Government 50 badly managed, that direct tax.
atiGn is (ul) likely to = he result Add to this
that Religion and Mora}y are to be encouraged
which cannot be done without money. Taking
into consideration all these exactions, it appears
to me, that the man who would impose additional
burdens, which could be dispensed with, must
suppose that the people of Monroe county, partake
of the nature of the Jackass, of which it is said
s'the heavier he is loaded the better he carries.'
1t is possible that have only got hold of one
handle of the object, for 1t appears to me TO be a
kind of SuJsoil plough. 1t has been argued that a
National debt is National blessing; and 1t may be
thought by some that County debt is or would be
County blessing. If there should be any of my
fellow citizens of this ornon, | would cite them
to the 18th chapter of the lst Book of Kings, for
specimen. PLOUGHMAN.
"We suppose that "Ploughman" does not mean
to be understood that the county incurred a debt
during the last fiscal year Of $9,67l The Audi
tors exhibit shows that that sum is the whole in
dehtedness Of the county from its organization up
to June ], 1916. The county debt on the lst day
of June, ls45, was $40. .93O-showing reduction
of the county debt, during the last fiscal year, Of
! 81 ,259.-ED.
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