The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-02-05
STATE fInanees--An increase Z
Public Expenditures. 4

to show that the present Republican Legisla.
,ure had appropriated eight hundred and
ninety. mine Thousand dollars more for the
current expenses Of the State Government,
in 1856, than wss raised or expended BY the
Democrats in 1885. II is surprising almost
beyond belief, that political parry coming
into power under such solemn pledges OF
retrenchment and reform shOHld SO wanton.
ly abandon its professions, and n the very
outset oIits career, indulge in reckless extra
vupunce. But such is the case. The evil
dence is plain and incontrUvertible. AT the
very beginning Of this discussiOu, however,
we are met with the declaration that "ouJ
taxes are less" This can be answered to
the complete satisfaction Of ANY persolN bl
cundor. 1t is true that some OF our local
taxes are less than during former year; but
il Is equally true that the tax raised purely
for Stale purposes, Is immensely ly enaargOd.-
Our next object will be 10 show wherein
the tax has been increased. We cannot
give all the items Of expenditure in the
State government, but will instance a few
appropriations as specimens.
The reader, by referring to the Statutes
of Ohio for 1854, page l44, will find the np
preparations for the year 1854, and on page
Is9, the appropriations for 1855, made by a
Democratic Legislature. In the Statutes OF
Ohie fer 1856, page 2O6, he will find The up-
propriations for the sume purpose for the
year 1856, made by Republican Legisla-
turc. Let US institute a comparison between
them: On page 2O6, Statutes of Ohio for
1856, section first, second paragraph, the
appropriation made for paying the saaaries OF
the Governor, Lieut.. Governor, Auditor,
Treasurer, Secretary of State, Attorney
General, School Commissioners and Libra.
rian, is Sle,7o0. On page l40, Ohio Stat
utes for 1854, section 6, second paragraph,
we find the appropriation for precisely the
same purposes, for the year 1856, is 1000.
Difference in favor of Democratic admin
istration, is $TOe. ... .......
On page 2O6, laws OF 1856, section !, ifth
paragraph, the appropriation for Judges
salaries in the State, is $5s, 800. On page
l49, of laws for 1854, the appropriation for
the salaries Of Judges for 1855, is $5s 900.
Difference in favor Of Democratic admin
istration, is 81 $50.
On page 206, laws of 1856, section 4,
sixth paragraph, the contingent fund of the
Governor is 5000, and on page 207, 50, 600
more is appropriated. On page l49, of laws
pas sed in 1854, appropriation Tor 1855, the
contingent fund of the Governor is $4,000.
Difference in favor of Democratic admin.
istration, is $4,000.
On page 2os, laws Of 1856, section /, the
appropriation for the payment of guards, re-
pairs, genernl expenses and provisions Of the
Ohio Penitentiary, is 100000. On page
l5i, Jaws Of 1854, appropriations Of 1856
there is given to the last named purpose,
the sum of $4,000.
Difference in favor of Democratic admin
istration, is $4,000.
We need not pursue these items OF arpro-
priation further. They are given simply as
samples. Here we find that in four items,
only, there is an increase of twenty-one
thousand FIVE hundred dollars The com.
parison might be carried still further, show.
ing that Republican retrenclimentl ~ is siua-
ply another name for Republican corruption
The reader who is desirous to pursue the
examination of these laws, will find mine
we'll worth his time to explore. Would it
Rot be well for the members Of the famous
Smelling ComRaittees, who lived from the
State Treasury during the summer and fall,
and who are now among the counsesors in
the present extra session of the Legislature,
to give the people some light upon the inaa.
cial management of their own party!
But it has been said that the Democrats
left the State in debt, and that appropri,-
tons are necessary to be made, in order TO
make up the deficit thus created. A few
facts will scatter this objection to the winds.
By reference to hudtgr Morgan's report for
the year 1855, page Sd, it will be seen that
ut the close Of that fiscal year, there was a
balance Of money in the treasury, amount.
ing to SEVEN HUNDRED AND THREE THOUSAND,
THREE gUADRED AND SEVENTY DOLLARS. So
that the talk about an empty treasury is
without foundation in reason or fact. But
even if debts had been created and left un-
paid, as is alleged by our opponents, It is no
possible ground of excuse for increasing the
levy for general revenue purposes; for the
reason, that the Republican Leg gislature has
made special provision BY an extra appropri.
alton, for these supposed debts, and to supply
the deficit occasioBed by them. 0a page
2l9, Of laws passed in 1856, there is an act
entitled San Act making appropriations to
pay certain deficiencies in former appropria.
TONS" by this act, the SUM of $256,I74 81,
in different items, is specifically uppropria.
ted for the ostensible purpose of paying off
the debts which it is alleged were created
by the Democrats. This removes every
shadow Of defense for the enormous appro-
priations before referred to for general reve.
nue. purposes. There is Go excuse fur, and
there can be no good reason offered for the
increase Of State taxes. We call earnest at
tention to the facts. Let every reader take
the Statute Books for himsclE and he cannos