Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-01-23


breaking The barometer. Real relrench-
ment, tU have lasting effect must sp ing
from and be maintained by General As
semblies whose economy and watchful
ness shall reflect the wishes of frugal
and enlightened people.
T feel great solicitude that The system
of requiring all State expenditures Of
every description to be brought under
the revision of the chief financial officer
of the State, shall be strictly and perma
nently adhered to. This is demanded by
the constitution as well as by sound pol
icy. Ii operates as a preventive of
malpractice which had hitherto defed
all attempts at reform.
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 the subject, have
elected very general public discussion.
TIE saving TO the State 10y this change
amounts to ninety three thousand one
hundred and stventy-two dollars per an
mum, when compared with the average
expenditure of the last six years. and
will no doubt exceed that sum under flu
ture lettings. The contract system has
many advantages over the policy that
has been hitherto pursued, and | am in
clned to think should be permanently
adopted. The success of any system.
however, involving So large an expendi
ture Of the public money, depends, in a
| fla nd
in which it is carried out. A very gen
eral publicity of the lettings, aud the
confidence of the people in the impair
TALLY and fairness OF the awards, ar
elements without which it can never be
come benefcially established.
The contract system is increasing in
importance and extent, and will, no
doubt, gradually supeicede the employ
ment OF regular officers in many OF the
departments of the public service. The
chang, in many instances, would be Il
healthy one, and should, in my juds
ment, be encouraged by the passage of
such laws as would allay all apprehen
Sions and full secure the confidence
of the people. We are accustomed
TO the responsibilities and restrictions
imposed by law upon public officers,
nd the same reasons should induce
US to adopt similar statutory regu-
laIions and Safeguards in reference to
public contractors. If all inducement,
to do wrong ON the p rt of The agents of
government were eff.ctually removed,
there would be little or no grounds for
popular diSlrust. l. therefore. suggest
the prupriety of general law on the
subject OF public contracts, embracing
those that may be entered into on the
part of unlies, townships and other
corporations. as well rs on the part of
the State.
The irresponsible and extravagant
system of the administration which pre-
vaiis in some Of our counties and cities.
furnishes the principle cause for TIL tx
actions which are 50 generally complain
ed of These public contracts are grant
ed to favorites, which occasion the most
lavish expenditures. There, also. We
find officers with incomes which shock
all correct ideas of public compensation.
These things have their effect upon The
general tone of our public morals
County reform is duty enjoined by
every consideration OF public virtue.
Some who suffer under these evils de
nuunce the tax law without much con,
sideralion as TO the cauSc of the heavy
burdens under which they are laboring /;
but a little reflection would show them
that il is the taxes, not Tie tax law. which
are exorbitant, and that the tax law Is
but the unwclcome witness. The local
treasures should be brought under the
same systematized restraint as the State
treasury. The heavy drafts upon them
under the pretenre OF some law, must
be effectually checked, and the require
mtntS of the Constitution that no money
shall be drawn from any county or town
ship treasury except by authority of
law, must be vigorously enforced. The
General Assembly shodld distinctly des.
ignate the specific authority upon whose
appropriation the public money shall be
diSbursed. Our courts have been in the
habit of ordering county auditors and
treaSurers to pay out moneys for purpo-
SEES of personal convenlence-an exercise
of power for which | can find no warrant
in the Constitution. These orders are
only obeyed from a fear of the appar
emily unlimited power of the courts to
punish for contempt. The fees of the
county officers should be thoroughly re-
vised, and the law providing for the re-
moval from Office and other punishments
for peculation, should be made more
stringent.
Some two or three larger counties of
the State, might be supplied with Boards
more numerous than that OF the present
County Commissioners. The public in
teresis wou d be better guarded, and the
power 10 levy taxes and make apprOpri-
ations be brought under II greater de-
gree of responsibility. The separation
of civil from criminal busir esS, with dis
met officers for zach court. would also
facilitate the business of such counties
without any increase Of public expenses.
As to the mere machinery for the col
lection of the taxes, it must be admitted,
as a general ruth, that all such enact
mcnts are but approximations to what
should be their legitimate object, viz
their equitable apportionment among the
individuals composing it. Private in
genuity countera.ts the best designs of
the legislator and many persons often
succeed in pushing their own proper
burdens upon others. Frequently, too,
the Legislature uses the taxing power
for fasoring or discouIaging special in.
terests or objects. This was so long and
so generally acquiesced in, that the idea
became prevalent that taxes are levied.
not so much for purposes of revenue, as
for those of favoritiSm or oppression
Hence, We End persons deuouncing tax.