The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-01-13

vamp up or varnish over an unjust
claim on the public treasury! Is there
no danger Of forgery, none Of fraud?--
Are we freed from all treachery or
combination among the host of officials
who must in one way or other be con
suited by the Auditor in order 10 deter.
mine his discretion? Is it possible to
upen up wider field Of discretion than
is opened up before the State Auditor
by the fluctuations in the amount Of ca.
nal tolls and other sources Of revenue
BY what rule is he governed in making
his immense appropriations for repairs
on the canals and other public works,
or if he does not make those appropri-
atoms, who does? Is there no need of
public discussion and investigation con.
cerning our most important affairs!
Is thele no danger of obliquity Of in
ten,ion, or perversity OF will in a man
who forms his resolution in The recess
es.ofhis own breastY Have we nothing
TO fear from his incompetency or his err
ror.? (. ,r..,... ,..... '....
1t is one of the worst features of this
odious system that it turnes the keys of
knowledge against the Peoples repre-
sentatives. 1t is almost impossible un-
der the present system for member to
acquire a mastery and statesmanlke
knowledge of our financial affairs. He
has not the facilities, nor must it be
supposed that single member can com.
mand the facilities for information, CO n.
cerning matters out of the regular rou.
tine OF business, which the whole body
could command concerning matters in
the regular routine. The lives Of mem.
bers are laborious to the last possible
degree. Their little snatches Of rest
and refreshment form mere interludes
in one almost unvarying scene of toll.
Were a gentleman to apply himself 10
the study of the finances, he would soon
find himself behind the times in other
matters OF daily interesting discussion.
Results prove that there has been gross
Encouragement, but it is best proved
BY the results. aa.I.. .. r.... ....,s.-.. .,.
II is said by the advocates Of royalty,
that we nigh send a committee to en-.
quire into the doings OF our money.
monarch. The efficiency and skill Of
such committee, would resemble the
efficiency and skill OF youth, who ex.
ecutes a task Of penmanship once in
two or three years, compared with the
abilities of one who writes daily.
II the numerous, perplexing and in.
tricate questions, which must be deci.
ded by this officer, in order to an intel.
ligent exercise of his taxing powers be |
mere matter Of computation and detail,
how much simpler the computation and
detail necessary TO arrange the ordina.
rs annual appropriation billso The Gen.
eral Assembly. How easy to determine
the amount Of our meagrs little civil
list. How easy to compute the amount
necessary to sustain our benevolent as
ylums. How small the aggregate of
our annual appropriations, compared
with the amount of the taxes levied by
the State Auditor. How much less
danger Of error in fixing the rate OF tax.
alton, necessary TO produce the small
'um, than in fixing the rate necessary /.
70 produce the large one!! All! but
nay be said, abuses might creep in ii a I
single man was clothed with authority
o levy taxes to pay our civil list, and
'iher annual items. Is there danger Of
lbuss in the levying and disbursement G
If the small sum; and is there no dan. S
ger Of abuse in the lsvying and dis O
Of the large one? ID
Gentlemen argue that faction might f
'eign in the General Assembly, and it C
night refuse 10 make appropriations TO b
,ay the interest on our State debt. I
nd the ghosts Of anarchy and conlu. !
ion, and discord and STRIFE, are conju- Q
ed up, and made to stalk across the a
tage before our eyes, in order to con. '
'ince US that our constitutional powers C
'ught to be surrendered to q single ,po. n
entats, whose unity Of will, as is said, n
ian always act efficiently. These were y
he arguments employed, in all ages, BY
he advocates Of despo !ism against r
publican government. These were the1
employed BY Charles the !
irs,, when he determined TO levy ship.
money without the aid Of parliamen,
But as calm observers could then $
hat the monarch's reliance on his
umed authority to levy taxes W. 40.
he aid Of parliament, deter.
Q, discontinue that Assent 4o274
:andid and discerning Ca ! s.i7oo ! |
,srceive that q reliancec ---l
v Of our money-monarcounty : . :. = /.
len. cause Of The pres to State, l,isl 40