The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-01-13

GG$ g q . 3 =
Il will be seen that, general as these
estimates we're, ihcy differed but little
from The actual results. Had they been
detailed and specific, and aided by cons
iingcnt appropriations, as suggested, the
repnlts would have been within the limits
prescribed. Much might thus have been
saved, without imTMiring the condition or
in any way Diminishing the revenues
arising from these works. Financial
y fluctuations would thereby have been
/, avoided, and greater degree Of regu-
Iari,y impaired 10 all our pecuniary trans
actions.
Nor should omit 10 press upon your
consideration the necessity Of providing
for q more strict accountability Of the
various officers whc are charged with the
expenditure Of the public money. The
Auditor AZ State and the county Auditors
are the proper accounting officers Of The
Government. No one should be per-
miiisd to be his own accounting officer,
and all avenues 10 the treasury should
be required 10 pass through the proper
accounting bureau
A practice formerly prevailed upon the
public works, in the Penitentiary, and
perhaps in soMo Of the othof institutions
ef,he State, BY which the money Of tho
people was expended without the re>
ouired and necessary control of the
Auditor Of State. If this practice has
been followed by no frauds or serious
loss, the facts should be attributed to the
integrity Of the officers, and not TO the
saluiary restraints imposed by law. All
direct drafts upon the Treasury should
be strictly avoided, and in every pecu-
niary transaction Of the Government,
there should be in practice, as we'll as in
theory, an accounting and paying officer,
acting as checks upon each other. But
linle is gained by specific appropriations,
If there be no check upon the improper
application OF the money.
And ID connection with this subject, i
IL proper 10 remember, that il will not be
long before all our expenditures will
have TO be met by assessments on the
grand duplicate or the State All special
isxoa, except auction duties, peddlers'
licenses aud Few others, have beer
suffered 10 90 oui OF existence; and
labor, ss such, is no longer required TO
contribute 10 the burdens imposed by
the Sta,e:---a policy SO salutary that il
commends the appreciation Of every one !.
Our school. ministerial and canal lands,
will soon pass into the hands Of actual
settlers; the surplus revenue will be re-
paid; and thus noarIy sll sources Of
seycnue vii! be closed, except the public
works, die dividends from canal, turns
pike and railroad stocks, and direct taxa
lion. That these cxtraneous revenues
should run oui, is hardly TO be regretted.
They never were very large, while they
mysiifed our public accounts. Their
6nal disappearance, with the causes that
called Them forth, will moi increase the
public burdens; il will but change their
character.
These facts should have their duo
weight ID determining oil financial ques-
lions. The taxing and approrriating
powers are the most important functions
of Government. High taxes do not al>
Ways indicate unnecessary extravsgance,
and foF many Of our exact.ons, at this
time, we may plead the force Of circum~
Diances.
We are young and rapidly growing
people; we have everything 10 create,
Ill our public buildings to erect, and
large and oneTous debts 10 discharge. Il
ID, nevertheless, tiue, that our financial
systam is without those Ealutary checks
which experience has shown to be neces.
sayy in all public transactions; nor will
il be denied. / apprehend, that greater
degree Of economy may be attained
The Recommendations already made, will,
II adopted, do much 10 secure this end,
Our iaxDs are now levied upon a uni-
forn, and equitable basis;--they should
be expended under the ssr;csest accounts
abiliiy. Satisfy the people that the funds
drawn from them. are properly and econ
en,ically applied, and the taxes now
complained OF, will be cheerfulIy borne.
The very large amount which has been
drawn from The people OF this Slate dur
Ing the past year, for the support Of The
various governments under which they
live, will certainly excuse the earnesl-
ness with which have pressed The sub,
iect of our expenditures upon your cons
sideration.
Estimating the revenues ftbe General
Goysrnment al SIS, 1000 900, il will pro-
duce for each member Of Congress about
S250,000.