The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-08-18

gloomy-and while our farmers are now
paying larger tax than is paid in some
of the European States, and although the
amount paid by many of them yearly,
would perchase small farm in the west,
yet they would cheerfully make any ad-
ditional efforts if they could but see any
prospect of the final extinguishment of the
State debt.
In Europe there is class ofpoliticians
who advocate national debt as a ma
tional blessing. No avowed specimens of
this class have yet appeared in America,
but they will show themselves in due
time. When an individual becomes in
volved he is at the mercy of his creditors;
when State is financially embarrassed
it's finances and credit are controlled by
monied men and corporations. Unfortu-
nate is that nation whose destinies are in
the hands of brokers, and whose legisla-
ton is controlled by such influence! A
great public debt should be the dread
and terror of free people. They can
defend themselves from enemies without
and traitors within, but taxation will
break down the energies and destroy and
subdue the noblest people on the face of
the earth.
1t must be admitted that the admins
tration of Governor Bigler has proved a
failure. The ship of the State is still
drifting before the same unpropitious
gales as formerly; he has not proved him
self "thc pilot to weather the storm. .
From every indication the State debt will
be increased from three to five millions
of dollars during his term; mammoth
appropriation bill of over five millions of
dollars passed the last Legislature, and
received the Executive sanction. A
diminution of the State debt was the plat
form OF which Gov. Bigler stood before
his election. Hundreds of Westmorland
farmers heard his financial views, and
hearing they had faith in him. They
have been deceived. If a man decieves
US once, it is his fault; if twice, it is our
own. To the farmers of Westmoreland
county the State debt is now the GREAT
QUESTION. They have no faith in the
Democratic professions Of any Governor
whose recommendations and acquiescen-
ces cause an increase of the State debt
in time of peace.
In 1887, by report of the State Treas
urer the public debt of Pennsylvania was
s24,731 ,243.
The State then held the following pub
lie property, viz:
Bank Stock, s2,1Os,7Oo
Turnpike and Bridge Stock, 1887 ,09s
Navigation Stock, 100000
Balance in the Treasury 1st
May 1887, 1,9O4,2O9
Estim atcd amount of money
due on public lands, 100000
s,O2O,OO7
Of these resources at least one half
were equivalent to cash. The State Debt
may be estimated in 1887 at no greater
sum than S21 100000. In 1853, the
debt is near s42 100000. Has the debt
increased because less taxes are paidy-
Previous to 1910 the amount of State
taxes collected from this county was very
small. 1912, ls43 and 1874, Westmore-
land county State tax duplicates amour
ted S3l, 400
In 1851, '52 and '53, the State tax
duplicates in the same county, amounted
to over s7e,OOO-125 per cent. since
ls44-a corresponding increase has ta-
ken place in other counties. Thus taxa
tion increases, and the public debt, instead
of being in part liquidated, grows larger.
Even the selling the good dividend-pay-
ing stocks the Commonwealth held, only
afforded temporary relief. The tide
delayed for moment burst onward with
the greater rapidity, and although the
State has disposed of the resources she
held in 1887, and immense sums have
since then been levied from the people,
yet what great necessary enduring public
has been constructed since
1881? What have We to show for our
vast expenditures! In all quarters is
distrust, dissatisfaction and want of con-
fdencc. The present Canal Board sus-
tain to the letter the reputation of that
body-a reputation uneclipsed until the
late developments of the doings of New
York Aldermen. A public informer in
Ireland enjoys about the same degree of
confidence that a Canal Commissioner
with few humble exceptions) does in
Pennsylvania. Fraud, corruption and
speculation have become interviewer with
their movements and the late robbery of
the laborers on the Portage, accidentally
exposed and to be quieted down by pre-
tended investigations, is but slight
glimpse behind the curtain.
Had Gov. Bigler proved true to his
pledges, had be stood up nobly and man
fully in defence of the interests of the peo-
pie, and by virtue of his high position di-
rected public attention to the frauds and
speculations on the public works; had he
been as true to the tax payers, as he has
been to the interests Of certain Philadel-
phia Banks; had he showed more consis-
tency in his exercise of the veto power,
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