Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-01-12

powers are the most important functions
Of Government. High taxes do not al
ways indicate unnecessary exffavsgsnce,
and for many Of our exactions, at this
time, We may plead the force Ofeiream-
stances.
! We are ayoung and rapidly growing
people, we have every thing 70 create,
f, an our public buildings to erect, and
large and onerous debts to discharge.
1t is, nevertheless, true, that our finan-
cial system is without those salutary
checks which experience has shown to
be necessary in al public transactions;
nor viii Il be denied. ! apprehend, that
greater degree Of economy may be at
tanned. The recommendation already
made, Will, If adopted, do mucA to Sc
cure this end.
Our taxes are now levied upon a uni
form and equitable bssisS--they should
be expended under the strictest account
ability. Satisfy the people that the
funds drawn from them, are properly
and economically applied, and the taxes
now complained of viii be cheerfuIly
borne.
The very large amount which has
been drawn from the people of this
State, during the past year, for the sup
port of the various governments under
which they live, will certainly excuse
the earnestness with which / have pres
sed the subject of our expenditures up
on your consideration.
Estimating the Revenues of the Gen
eral Government at S58, ,0O0, 900, it will
produce for each Member of Congress
about $3.50, 900.
There are twenty-one Members
from this State, making about 5000, 900
State, County, Township and City
taxes 1901, ,l66
Fees Of County Officers, estimated
at $4,000 per county 500, 600
&C. 100000
Fees of Justices of the Peace, Con-
stables, &c, 10000
Making total Of sl4,IOI, ,I66
This is an annual burden, equal to
one-half the value of the whole State
fifty years ago, and requires tax of
S25 on every voter. and of nearly six
dollars on every individual in the State!
When burdens become so onerous, it
is proper that every outlay should be
examined with the strictest scrutiny.
My predecessors have had frequent
occasion to remark upon the safety and
despatch with which the taxes are levied,
collected and disburssd, by the County
and State Officers. Defalcations have
been Of rare occurrence. Our Treasury
system has, therefore, served as model
for other States, and in many respects
for the General Government.
A practice is said to have grown up
in many of the large towns, however, of
Banks and Brokers paying interest on
deposits. The State surely has no OBJ
lection to this when confined TO the
transactions of private individuals. But
it is also charged that these establish
ments sometimes become the deposito-
ries of public officers, and that large
sums are thus realized by specializing
upon the money of the people. These
representations may have their origin in
mere suspicion, but they have called
forth a feeling of dissatisfaction and
alarm, that can only be allayed by the
adoption Of such measures as will pre-
vent the possibility of so dangerous a
practice. The present statutes are de-
fectiye in this particular and require re-
vision. The public money should be
guarded with the utmost care, and all
application oft, except to the purposes
for which it was raised, should be strict
ly prohibited by law.
An objection has sometimes been made
to this policy, that it locks up the treas
ure of the people. This objection, when
examined, will be found to be without
any real foundation. In this State, as
already observed, the revenues are chief
ly raised from direct taxation, for GER
tam well known purposes, and payable |
at periods entirely within the control of
the Legislature. At no period is it
necessary to keep any considerable
on hand, while our treasures
might most of the time, conveniently,
beempty. Under these circumstances
there surely can be no difficulty in so
modifying the laws, that all danger of
defalcation or improper use of the pub
lie funds will be avoided, and the mon
ey of the people, at the same time, be
left in their own pockets, until required
Tor the public service. D." i. '73
You will perceive the necessity of these
remarks, intimately connected as they
ire, with our public debt and its final
payment. -" ''1
The entire debt of the State, outstand
ng Nov. 18th, 1853, was as follows:
Foreign. ~
live per cent stock paya-
bic January LIST, 1857 $3.50, 10000
i've percent stock paya- "A
Bile January 1st, 1866 1,O25, ,OOO, 90 .
Total fyeper cent s1,175,OOo, 90 ,
ix per cent STOCK nava- :