The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-01-13
WooDsFIELD oHIo SATURDAY, JANUARY 1s, 1s4s

: essentially distinct. Reputation ha
no advocates in Ohio, and is abhorre,
BY none so much as by those very mel
who are assailed by m insensate clam
4 or, as Jaco bins and Regulators. w,
shall, therefore, examine The practica
bearings Of the delegation Of the taxin,
power, unawed by clamsr, unmoved b.
fcslumny. What is the genius then o
/ this institutioni What was the leadin.
| idea which produced this alienation o
Ia trust confided to tho General Assem-
fbly by the people in their constitution
We reply that the State Auditor mus
grant the same sums which would OH
erwise be granted by the General As
/ senibly ,,or ne must grant greater or he
must grant less. To invest him with
this enormous power in order that he
might perform the same actions which
the General Assembly would otherwise
perform, and in the same manner, would
be perfectly futile. To say that he
would be more frugal and grant smaller
sums than the Assembly, would contra
dict the professions Of the authors Of
this institution. Such was not their
oslensible motive. Such were moi their
professions. They proclaimed 10 the
first money lenders, who were general
y non.resdents, and not intimate with
our organic institutions, that they bad
dug out fountain whose waters would
forever flow in clear, perennial stream,
liberal, abundant, and swelling. Then
the design unquestionably was, that this
great, financial potentate should be
more liberal. more proluse, more prodi,
cal Of the Peoples money. than their
own representatives would be. Wheth.
er these enactments are constitutional
or not, they are defended by their
friends on the ground that they are
fundamental laws, too sacred TO be
touched by the hand Of legislation. Is
that sound element of public credit
which introduces into the organic insli.
tutions Of a state, boundless prodiga'ity
and waslefnlness9 Is no. public, like
private credit, best supported by the
homely but necessary virtues Of order,
economy, frugality? Our actual bisto.
ry is the best commentary on the text
Of these laws, the accumulation Of debt
has been rapid, sudden and enormous.
This young and growing community is
as heavily burthened with debt aud tax.
tion as any of the monarchies Of Eu.
rope. ....Es..-.....l
1t will not be pretended that the con.
vention, which framed our constitution.
anticipated or foresaw the creation Of
this great pecuniary potentate. The
genius Of that instrument requires that
the members Of the Assembly, when
they adopt measures which must even.
tuate in increased taxation should them.
selves be seen enacting that increased
taxation. The real and ostensible
should be strictly connected. Their
separation involves danger Of popular
error and dissolution. If members
covet the pleasing task Of doing the
bountiful, the generous, the munificent,
they she uld be held to the performance
Of the invidous task Of laying on pub.
ic burthens. Tho separation Of these
unctions materially impairs the check
md balances Of the constitution. The
people ought not, under the pressure of
heir necessary and laudable private
pursuits to be compelled to trace re.
n9te consequences in order to Judge Of
he conduct Of their deputies. The
sovereign People have right to easily
accessible sources Of information con.
:erning their financial affairs. But |
low, no pablic statute informs them ofI
heir evsr.increasing burthens, and If
hey consult the journals they ars e.
lually barren Of information. But a
ilent ukase steals round to each coun.
y Auditor, from our money monarch,
Prescribing 10 every citizen, as rule of
.ivil conduct, that he shall provide and
,ay sums almost beyond his ability
We're the people IN convention now 10
mend their constitution, is it likely
hat they would permit a separation Of
hese two, functions! Would they
'lothe an Assembly with the power OF
,assing s,'tutes inc,irring consequential
expenditures or authorizing loans; and
N individual with the power Of grant
ng supplies and levying taxes 10, pay
he in,eresll We might well say. Of
or Withholding supplies, for
me instance at least has occurred Of an
Auditor refusing to levy taxes for a
linking fund. II no constitutional con
'enlion would make such a provision,
is not the presumption pret,
y strong that they have not in reality
uthorized the General Assembly TO do |,
q w II