The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-01-17
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Twas anxious to present in tabular state.
ment such detailed information in reference
to our County, Tow nship and City transac-
tions, as would enable the people to compare
their own local administrations with those oil
other portions Of the State. found, how
eyer, that this was not attainable ut the seat
of Government without much labor, and cer-
tain additional facts which those organiza-
tons themselves can alone supply. Exis.
ting laws provide for the publication at home
Of the amount OF their levies, collections and
expenditures; but it would greatly facilitate
the object in view ifthe affairs of each county
township and city administration were an.
nually published, in condensed form, for
general information throughout the State.
Such comparisons and suggestions would
naturally spring from these expositions as
would gradually lead to the adoption of the
desired restraints upon their action, and e..
ventually tomore healthy legislation upon
the subject. yqeis al as.t,s
Ofthe fees Of County, Township. and oths
er local officers, no account appers 10 be
kept which is accessible to the public--a
matter to which Iagain call the attention Of
the General Assembly, and respectfully sug-
gest that a law be passed requiring every
public officer, compensated by fees, to keep
an accurate account of his receipts and ex-
pendiatures, and transmit the same to the
appropriate department, at the seat of gov
ernment, with the view that general syn
opsis of such accounts be published once a
year for the information of the people. of the
State. These local Offices are generally
lucrative, and tits believed that not less than
100000 are annually collected by fees
from the people, andI can see no good reason
why the latter should not be able to ascer.
tain the compensation which is seyerally re-
ceived by their own agents. 1t is almost
impossible to secure proper legislation on
this important subject while so little tangible
information is before the General Assembly.
The preceding statements, contain, it is
believed, all the information that issnecessa-
lry. with the accompanying reports and ex-
hibits, to- enable you tossee in what particu.
lar divisions of the public services and for
what objects. the exactions are improperly
high, and where our efforts should be espec-
tally directed to bring about a reductions
The local causes which have SO dispropor-
tionately swelled the burdens Of the people,
you, coming from all parts 0 | the State, can
no doubt explain to each other. e@ 4,.
In reference to these causes, however, and
the fees of county and other local
officers, it would prove of much assistance
in your deliberations. If in the carly part OF
the session you would order suitable inqair-
les to be addressed to the proper authorities.
All will admit that the public burdens, for
a government happily SO very circumscribed
in its sphere as ours, arc high beyond apollo
gy. True, high taxes are not of themselves
conclusive evidence Of bad, nor low taxes
always proof Of good government, yet the
amount is mater proper for comparative in,
quiry, especially, where the rise is sudden.
Such examinations lead to reliable informa-
ton, both as to the amount, and, which is D
more important point, the purposeslto to which
the money is applied Sound political econ
omy, does not rest on any specific amount OF
taxation, but rather on such an administra-
ton ofspublic affairs. as guided By proper
spirit Of frugplity end republican simplicity,
discharges scrupnlousiy every duty essential
70 the public welfare. Every financial tram
saction should be subjected to the most rigid
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