True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-01-16
OHIO, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY IS, 1856,

y 80 fttS l.-. ~.
description To- Be brought under the re-
vision Of the chief financial officer Of the
State. shall be strictly and firmly adhered
to. This isdemanded by the coustitu-
ton as well as by sound policy. 1t ope-
rates as preventive Of malpractices
which had hitherto defed all attempts al
reform. IS
The contracts recently entered into by
the Board Of Public Works for the re-
pairs Of the canals, involving an entire
change Of policy on that subject, have
eicited very general public discussion
The saving to the State by this change
amounts 10 ninety three thousand one
hundred and seventy-two dollars per an
mum when compared with the average
expenditure of the last six years, and viii
no doubt exceed that sum under future
lettings. The contract system has many
advantages over the policy that has been
hitherto pursued, and l am inclined tc
think should be permanently adopted
The success Of any system, however, in'
volving so large an expenditure Of the
public money, depends 10 great measure
on the manner and spirt in which it is
carried out. A very general publicity Of
the lettings, and the confidence of the peo
pie in the impartiali!y and fairness Of the
awards, are elements without which il
can never become beneGcially established
The contract system is increasing in
Importance and extent, and will, no doubt,
gradually supercede the employment o.
regular officers in many of the depart.
ments Of the public service. The change
in many instances. would be healthy
one, and should. in my Judgement, be en-
couraged by the passage Of such laws as
would allay all apprehensions, and fully
SECURE the confidence Of the people,
We are accustomed to the responsible
ties and restrictions imposed upon public
officers, aud the same reasons should in.
duce us to adopt similar statutory regu
lations and safeguards in reference TO pub
lie contractors. II all inducements TO d'
wrong on the part Of the agents Of th'
government were elfectually removed
there would be little or no grounds fo
popular dislrust. l therefore suggest thu
propriely Of general law on the subjec
of public contracts, embracing those
that may be entered into on the part o.
counties, townships, and other corpora
lions, as well as on the part Of the State
The irresponsible and extravagant 'sys-
tenn of administration which prevails ir
some Of our counties and cities, furnishes
the principal cause for the exactiou'
which are SO generslly complained Of
These contracts are granted 10 favortes
which occasion the most lavish expendi
lures. There, also. we find officers with
incomes which shock all correct ideas o
public compensation. These things have
th ir effect upon the general tone Of oul
public morals County reform is duty
enjoined by every consideration Of public
virtue. Some who suffer under lhest
evils denouOce the tax law without much
consideration as to the cause oil the hea-
w burdens under which they are labor
Ing but little closer reflection woulC
show them that it is the taxes, not the Ia,
law, which are exorbitant, and that the
tax law is but The unwelcome witness
The local treasures should be brough
under the same systematized restraints al
the State Treasury. The heavy drafts
upon them under pretence Of some law
must be eHectually checked. and the re
quiremenls Of the Constitution that "nt
money shall be drawn from any county
or township treasury except by the su
thoriiy of law" must be vigorously en-
forced. The General Assembly shoul
distinctly designate the specific authority
upon whose appropriation the public mo
neys shall be disburseJ. Our courts hay'
been in the habit Of ordering county au
ditors and treasurers topsy out moneys 70
purposes Of personal 'convenence---aI
exercise Of power for which / can find NJ
warrant in The Constitution. These or
ders are only obeyed from fear Of tht
apparently unlimited power Of the courts
to punish for contempt. The fees o
county officers should be thoroughly re
vised. and The law providing for the re
movafrom Office and other punishment
for peculalion, should be made more slrn
gent. y
Some two or three Of the larger coun
ties Of the State, might be supplied will
Boards more numerous than that of lh,
present County Commissioners. The pub
lie interests would be better guarded. ant
the power to levy taxes and make appro
priations be brought under greater de-
gree Of responsibility. The separe tior
Of civil from criminal business, with dis
linct officers for each court, would alsC
facilitate the business Of such counties
without any increase Of the public ex'
peuses. % a.. NJ ;a.la ass,e- H..
AS 10 lhe mere machinery for the col
lection Of the taxes. it must be admitted
As a general truth, that al such enast
ments are but approximations 10 wha
should be their legitimate object. viz
their equitable apporionment among The
individuals composing il. Private ibge
nuity counteracts tie best designs Of lht
legislator; aad many persons often sue
eeed in pushing their own proper burdens
upon others: Frsqueptly. TOO. the Legis
,lelurs uses the taxing power lor layoFinQ
d Encouraging special intSrssIs d ohjsbtS