The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-01-11

are the proper accounting officers Of the
Government. No one should be permitted
to be his own accounting officer, and ell
avenues TO the Treasury should be requir.
ed to pass through the proper accounting
bureau.
practice formerly prevailed upon the
public works. in the Penitentiary. and per-
haps in some of the other institutions Of the
State, by which the money of the people
was expended without the required and
necessary control OF the Auditor of State.
If this practice has been followed by no
frauds or serious loss, the fact should be
attributed to the integrity of the officers,
and not to the salutary restraints imposed
by law. All direct drafts upon the Treas.
ury should be strictly avoided. and in ev.
cry pecuniary transaction of the Govern
ment, there should be in practice, as well
as in theory, an accounting and paying Of
ficer. acting as checks upon each other.
But little is gained by specific appropria-
tions il there be no check upon the i'm
proper application of the money.
And in connection with this subject il is
proper to remember, that il will not be long
before all our expenditures will have to be
met by assessments on the Grand Dupli.
cate Of the State. All special taxes, ex.
cept auction duties, Pedlars' licenses and
a few others, have been suffered to go out
of existence; and labor, as such. is no
longer required to contribute to the burdens
imposed by the State;-a policy SO salu-
tary, that it commends the appreciation of
every one.
Our School. Ministerial and Canal lands,
will soon pass into the hands OF actual
set,lers;-the Surplus Revenue will be re-
paid; and thus nearly all sources of reye-
nue. will be closed. except the Public
Works, the dividends from Canal, Turn
pike and Rail Road Stocks, and Direct
Taxation. That these extraneous reve.
nues should run out, is hardly to be re-
lgretted. They never were very. large,
while they mystified our public accounts.
Their final disappearance, with the eau
ses that called them forth, will not increase
the public burdens, it will but change their
character.
4 These facts should have their due weight
in determining all financial questions
The taxing and appropriating powers are
the most important functions of Govern.
ment. High taxes do not always indicate
unnecessary extravagance, and for many
; of our exactions, at this time, we may
} plead the force Of circumstances.
We are young and rapidly growing
people. we have every thing to create, al
our public buildings to erect. and large
and onerons debts TO discharge. II is
nevertheless, true, that our financial sys
tenn is without those salutary checks whict
, experience has shown to be necessary in
. all public transactions; nor will it be de
: MED. | apprehond, that greater degree
Of economy may be attained. The re-
+. commentator already made will, if adop
ted. do much to secure this end.
Our taxes are now levied upon uniform
:; and equitable basis;-they should be ex
pended under the s,rictes, accountability
e Satisfy the people that the funds drawn
e from them are properly and economical!
: applied, and the taxes now complained oi
!, will be cheerfn'ly borne.
The very large amount which has beel
: drawn from the people Of this State, durinl
: the past year, for the support of the vari
: Gus governments under which they live
: will certainly excuse the earnestness vii,
: penditures upon your consideration.
!. Estimating the Revenues Of the Genera
y Government at $58 900. 900, it will pro
!. duce for each Member Of Congress abou
a $3.50. 900.
There are twenty one members
from this State. making about SIS 900 ,OO
), State, County. Township and
City taxes. es.............. 1901 l6
Fees Of County Officers, esti-
d mated at $4,000 per coun-
~ 6UO,OO
d Special taxes, as Auction Du-
}, ueS, &C.,. ZUO,UU
j. Fees Of Justices OF the Peace, 3.
II Cons,ables, &c ......... 3oo.oo
p Making total Of. ...$14 ,10l, ,16
This is an annual burden. equal to one
= halfthe value Of the whole State fifty year
ago, and requires tax OF $25 on ever
voter, and Of nearly six dollars on ever
: individual in the State! When burden
become 50 onerous, it is proper that ever
i outlay should be examined with the stric,
est scrutiny. .s,.
My predecessors have had frequent oc
casion to remark upon the safety and des
patch with which the taxes are levied, col
lected and disbursed, by the County an
. State Officers. Defalcations have been {
rare occurrence. Our Treasury sys,er
has. therefore, served as model for othe
n States, and in many respects for the Gen
" eral Government. f
A practice is said to have grown up i
;. many ofthe large towns, however, OF Bank
|. and Brokers paying interest on deposits
= The State surely has no objection to thi
= when confined 10 the transactions Of pri
!. vate individuals But il is also charge
!. that these establishments sometimes be
come the repositories Of public officers
and that large sums are thus realized b.
specula;ing upon the money of the paonle