American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-17

Lhe eAtIhneOuS revenues 10 the state
Treasury are likewise constSntly diminish
ing. and nearly all our resources will soon
have to be derived through the grand du-
plicate. We shall then, with greater GER
tainty and simplicity in our finances, have
the unerring index above alluded to.
Tho constitutional provision upon the
subject is guaranty against arbitrary tax
alton. Heretofore such guaranty has
been secured to corporations alone through
judicial interposition; now they and the
people equally enjoy it by constitutional
rule. In other Governments the taxing
power is without limitations. In ours /.
is restrained to property tax. The pow
er to borrow is also wisely confined within
very narrow limits. Under such a system
financial abuses cannot be long concealed,
because the amount Of taxation will indi-
cate to eaeh taxpayer the degree of econo-
my or wassefulness that may at each peri
cd characterize the Government. The
fact that taxes are one thing, the tax law
another, will then becoms apparent to all;
and we will look to the General Assembly,
and 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 mera change in
tho mode and manner Of collecting them,
will prove as futile as an attempt to change
the weather by breaking the barometer
Real retrenchment, TO have a lasting ef-
feet, must spring from and be maintained
by General Assemblies whose economy and
watchfGlness shall reflect the wishes Of a
frugal and enlightened people.
l feel great soleituds that the system Of
requiring that all State oxpen litures of
every description to be brought under the
revision Of the chief financial officer of the
State, shall be strictly and permanently
adhered to. This is demanded by the con
stituion as Well as by sound policy. Ii
operates rs a preventive of m Al practices
which hal hitherto defel all attempts at
reform.
The contracts recently entered into by
the Board of Public Works for the repairs
of the canals, involving an entire change
of policy on this subject, have elected Il
very general public discussion. The saw
ing to tho State by this change amounts to
ninety three thousand, ono hundred and
seyenty-two dollars per annum, when com
pared with the average expenditure Of tho
last six years, and will no doubt exceed
that sum under future lettings. The con-
tract system has many advantages over
the policy that has been hitherto pursued,
and am inclined to thiuk should be per-
msnenily adopted. The success OF any
system. however, involving so large an ex-
penditure of the public money, depends in
a great measure on the manner and spirit
in which it is carried out A very general
publicity of the lettings, AMI the confidence
of the people in the impartiality and fair
ness Of tie awards, are elements without
which it can never become beneically es-
tablished.
The contract system is increasing in i'm
portance and extent, and will, no doubt,
gradually superceds the employment oI
regular officers in many Of the departments
of the public service. The change in many
instances, would be healthy one, and
should, in my judgment, be encouraged
by the passage Of such laws as would allay
all apprehensions, and fully secure the
confidence ofthe people. We are accus
toned to tile responsibilities and restric
tons imposed by law upon public officers
and the same reasons should induce us tc
adopt similar statutory regulations anG
safe e-guards in reference to public contrac
tors. If all inducements to do wrong or
the part of the agents Of government were
effectually removed, there would be little
or no grounds for popular distrust.
therefore suggest the propriety Of gener
al law on the subject of public contracts
embracing those that may BE- entered int
!, on the part of counties, townships, and 9th
CIR corporations, as we'll as on the part o
the State.
The irresponsible and extravagant sys
tenn Of adminis istration which prevails il
some of the counties and cities, furnishe
the principal cause for the axactious whicl
are so generally complained of. Thesc
public contracts are granted to favorites
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
/, their effect upon the general tone of ouI
public morals. County reform is duty
enioined by every consideration of public
, virtue, Some who suffer under these evil:
}, denounce the tax law without much consi
deration as to the cause Of the heavy bur
| dens under which they arc laboring; bu
little closer reflection which world show
them that it is the taxes, not the tax law
which are exorbitant, and that the tax Law
is but the unwelcomc witness. The loca
treasures should be brought under th,
, same systematized restraint as the Stat
Treasury The heavy drafts upon then
, under pretence Of some law, must be effect
ualy checked. and the requirements of th
) Constitution that mo money shall b
drawn from any county or township trea
sury except BY authority OF law" must b
} vigorously enforced. The General Assem-
| bly, should distinctly designate the specifi
: authority upon whose appropriation tn
5 public monyes shall be disbursed. Ou
: courts have been in the habit of orderiu,
3 county auditors and treasurers to pay ou
q money for purposesof personal convenienc
An exercise Of power for which ca