The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-03-31

monarchv would use other language
and would dip his pencil in other and
darker colors. But it is not captious
or uncandid to remind the reader that
our annual expenditures are approach
ing three millions Of dollars, while the
actual expenses Of the government
proper are some less than one hundred
and twenty thousand. Such is the cos,
Of misrule.
Two questions may be raised con.
corning The enactments proposed 10 be
repealed by this bill; are they compali.
BILE with the constitution, and If com
pn,ible with that instrument, are they
expedient? y.
The solution Of the first question de-
pends upon the consideration whether
the po we, OF ievying taxes and making
grants and appropriations Of the public
money is or is not a legislative power.
For "the legislative aothorily Of this
State is vested in the General Assem-.
bly,, consisting Of The Senateiand House
Of Representatives." according to the
6rst section Of the first article of the
constitution.
The same power in all other free
governments with which we are ac-
quainted, is vested in the Legislative
department. 1t is one Of the privileges
Of the Commons of England to ascer-
tain by their representatives in Parlia.
ment not only the kind Of property.
which shall support the burlhen of tax.
alton, but the AMOUNT which the citizen
shall pay. A privilege which tina,
people value as highly as the trial by
jury, or any other right the most saced.
And of which they are so tenacious
that they will not suffer the Peers to
interfere in either of the be(oremention.
ed particulars, or to exercise any other
discretion on the subject except to ap-
prove or reject the bills Of the Com.
mons in toto.
The power to ''levy and collect taxes,
imposts and exescises," is one OF the
powers expressly granted 10 the Iegis
lature Of the Union, in the Constitution
of the United States, with the qualifca.
lions lha. all bills for raising revenue
mus. originate in the House Of Repre-.
sen,atives. Alexander Hamilton, in
the tbirty.third number OF the Federal.
ist, speaks Of this as the most important
authority bestowed on the Union, and
he contends that it would have vested
in Congress by the mere general gran,
of legislative power without express
words. This position he considers too
clear for doubt or hesitation, and he
brings forward an array Of argument
perfectly irresistible. We refrain from
quotation as the book is easily accessi.
BILE. -r,
The example OF other states may be
instructive. The state OF Vermont has
made majority of her House OF Rep
resenlalives a quorum in all cases ex.
cept "raising tax" on which occasion
''two two thirds at least must be pres.
ent." .:..
The state OF New York, by her pres.
ent constitution, has provided shat the
4 ssent of at least two.thirds of the men,
bers elected 70 each branch of the leg
stature shall be requisite to every bill |
lppropria,lng the public money, or
property. to local or private purposes.
EVERY law, which imposes, continues
Or revives a tax shall distinctly state
The tax and the object to which it is to
be applied; and it shall not be sufficient
10 refer TO any other law to fix such
tax or object"
"On the final passage in either House
of the Legislature Of every act which
imposes, continues, or revives a tax or
creates a lax or charge. or makes, con.
Iinues or revives any appropriation Of
public or trust money or property, or
releases, discharges or commutes any
claim or demand of the state, the ques.
ion shall be taken by ayes and noes
which shall be duly entered on the
Journal, and three,ffths Of all ,hemem.
'ers. elected 10 either House shall IN
NJ such cases be necessary to consli-
ute a quorum ,lherein." 7.'' ''Oll "
Such is New York, and we have no,
he slightest reason to believe that an.
hori,y at. all slmiliar to that Of our
State Auditor is vested in. a single ia.
lividual in any other state Of the Union.
such are the provisions in other states
md communities to secure the actual
esponsibility ofthose who make grants
nd appropriations Of the peoples mo-
in Ohio the appropriations
{ the Public Monsy, with the excep-
on ofadmere drib which, in practice. |
emains with the General Assembly, i
re made inaihs darkness sof y SibyI's
ave-, and the peoples Representatives
'ay 30 10 the mouth Of the grotto and I
,A<r A.. h 81 n I'll