The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-06-11

wayne lIV OF
Tsceluc townships cannot raise money
enough to carry on their township bust
ness! Green, Malaga, Ohio and Sunsbury
are the only lucky ones. Rejoice we,
therefore, that the Fusion Legislature has
not made you bankrupt. We heartily
congratulate you upon your escape, and
trust that you may never need much more
than you do the present year, for if you
do, then woe betides you.
Bethel, Centre, Seneca and Washing.
ton have the pleasing reflection that they
may not become ~insolvent for 6 or 8
years yet; by which time the orders OF
most of their neighboring townships will
not be worth asking for.
Adams, Benton, Summit and Switzer-
land viii be able to pay, next year, from
so to 20 cents on the dollar; the next
year 40 or SO, the next 20 or so, and the
next
jackson, Perry and Wayne can pay
next year from SO to 60 cents on the dol
lar, the next year 90 or 80, the third or
fourth year they will be ready to hand
over their assets to the constable. As
Perry township gave a Fusion majority
they. of course. are In favor of this Fu-
sion Legislation, and ask none of our
sympathy. What chance for ZONE as
piring Fusionist to get promoted to a
supervisorship! After digging day after
day on the roads, under a hot sun, he
will get his pay in township orders, which
he may be fortunate enough to dispose Of
at FROM so to IS per cent. discount.
But Salem, oh SalemI A levy of $500
Of which you q get but $l45. at most.
The first year your orders will be worth
As cents on the dollar, and the second or
third year something over 45 cents o
bushel.
There is one thing, and only one, which
can keep these consequences from result
ing, and that is, that the holders of town
ship orders may refuse to dispose of them
fora tri6e, hoping that another Legis.
lature may repeal the laundering, wicked
laws of the last one.
The only salvation from bankruptcy for
one.half the townships in this county is,
in the Democratic party getting into pow
er soon; should this not occur, their insol-
seney is as inevitable as fate.
Ifthe township expenses were too great,
why did not the Legislature provide a
system of government for them which
would cost less? Instead of that they re-
quire the officers to do the same amount
Of work, and get, in some instances, al
most nothing at all for it.
Or if the salaries were too high, why
not reduce them? This would have placed
the rich townships and poor ones on an
equality. Itcosts as much to conduct the
affairs of a poor as a rich one; but under
this miserable law, the affairs of rich town
ships get paid for their labor while in poor
ones they must work for comparatively
nothing.
Ills not in the triding matter Of town
ship fuuds that the peoples money is
squandercd. Here is not where reform
is needed. The trustees always can, and
we doubt rot nearly always do, know
inst how much money the people want,
atl are governed by their wishes. Ifthey
,lloghiolo otherwise they would very soon
ites criieito an account. 1t is very evil
dent that the trustees know as well what
tax to ley as a mischieyous or Ignorant
Legislature at Columbus.
But did these great reformers, who
were so jealous of the pitiful salaries of
trustees and supervisors. reduce their own
salaries in like proportion? So far from
doing this, they have provided Themselves
with nearly THREE TIMES the usual amount