Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-01-18

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ces, have the unerring index above allu-
ded to.
The constitutional provision upon the sub
ject is a guaranty against arbitrary taxation.
Heretofore such a guaranty has been secured
to corporations alone through Judicial inter-
position; now they and the people equally
enjoy it by constitutional rule. In other
Governments the taxing power is without
limitations; in ours it is restrained to a prop
erty tax. The power to borrow is also wisely
confined within very narrow. limits. Under
sucha system financial abuse cannot be long
concealed, because the amount of taxation
will indicate to each taxpayer the degree
of economy or wastefulness that may, at
each period characterize the Government =
The fact that taxes are one, thing, the law
another, viii then become apparent to all !;
and we wiIIlook to the General Assembly
and to the local authorities of the State, for
reduction of taxes, rather than to Execu-
tive officers. Any attempt to reduce the
taxes in the aggregate by a nero change in
the mode and manner of collecting them,
will prove as futile as an attempt to change
theweather by breaking the barometer
Real retrenchment to have a lasting effect
must spring from and be maintained by
General Assemblies whose economy and
watchfulness shall reflect the wishes of a
frugal and enlightened people.
l feel great solicitude that the system of
requiring ait State expenditures of every
description to be brought under the revision
of the chief financial officers of the State,
shall be strictly and permanently adhered
to. This is demanded by the constitution
and by sound policy. 1t operates as pre-
ventiye of malpractices which has hitherto
defed all attempts at reform. zt-soz
The contracts recently entered into by
the tt Board OF Public Works for the repairs
of the canals, involving an entire change of
policy O sslhat subject have elieted very
general public discussion. The saving to
the State by this change amounts to ninety
three thousand one hundred and seventy
two dollars per annum, when compared with
the average expenditure of the last six years,
and will no doubt exceed that sum under
future lettings. The contract system has
many advantages over the policy that has
hitherto been pursued, and / am inclined 10
think should be permanently adopted
The success of any system, however, involy-
ing so large an expenditure of public money,
depends in q great measure on the manner
and spirit in which it is carried out. Avery
general publicity of the lettings, and the
confidence of the people in the impartiality
and fairness of the awards, are elements
without which it can never become benef-
cially established.
The contract system is increasing in i'm
portance and extent, and will no doubt,
gradually supercede the employment of reg
ular officers in many of the departments Of
the public service. The change in many in
stances, would be healthy one, and should,
in my Judgment, be encouraged by the pas
sage of such laws as would allay all appre-
tensions, and fully secure the confidence of
the people. We are accustomed to the re-
sponsibilities and restrictions imposed by
law on public officers, and the same reasons
should induce US to adopt similar statutory
regulations and safeguards in reference to
public contractors. If all inducements to
do wrong on the part of the agents of gov
ment were effectually removed, there would
be little or no grounds for popular distrust.
l therefore suggest the propriety ofa gener-
al law on the subject of public contracts,
embracing those that may be entered into
on the part of counties, townships, and other
corporations, as well as on the part of the
State.
The irresponsible and extravagant system
of administration which prevails in some
of our counties and cities, furnishes the prin-
ciple cause for the exaetions which are so
generally complained of These public con-
tracts are granted to favorites, which occas-
ion the most lavish expenditures. There,
also, we find officers with incomes which
shock all correct ideas of public compensa-
ton. These things have their effect upon
the general tone of our public morals-
County reform is a duty enjoined by every
consideration of public virtue. Some who
suffer under these evils denounce the tax
law without much consideration as to the
cause of the heavy burdens under which
they are laboring; but little closer ref1ec-
ton would show them that it is the taxes,
not the tax law, which are exorbitant, and
that the tax law is but the unwelcome wit
ness. The local treasures should be brought
under the same systematized restraint as the
State treasury. The heavy drafts upon
them under the pretence of some law, must
be effectually checked, and the requirements
of the Constitution that "no meney shall
be drawn from any county or township
treasury except by authority of law" must
be vigorously enforced. The General As
sembly should distinctly designate the spe-
ciic authority upon whose appropriation the
public moneys shall be disbursed. Our
courts have been in the habit of ordering
county auditors and treasurers to pay out
moneys for purposes of personal convenience
on exercise of power for which can find
no warrant in the Constitution. These or
ders are only obeyed from fear of the ap-
parently unlimited power of the courts to
punish for contempt The fees for county
officers should be thoroughly revised, and
the law providing for removal from Office
and other punishments for peculation, should
be made more stringent.
Some two or three of the larger counties
of the State, might be supplied with Boards
more numerous than that of the present
county Commissioners. The public interests
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