Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-07-22
State Expenditures.

out of the State expenditures, for yea
or two past, if they knew how to do it,
But, there is the rub. Whichever wa,
J they turn, snag or a sawyer thrusts it.
ugly, jagged from across their pathway
The record is against them. The fact:
are against them. The sin of squander
ing public money cannot be laid at the
door of the Republicans of Iowa. What
ever there is of increased expenditure
carries its own explanation and vindica.
tion with it; and what is equally potent,
shows an almost unanimous Locofoco vote
in its favor.
The first extraordinary expense was
for an extra session of the Legislature,
rendered indispensable by the action ol
Congress on the Rail Road question
making grant of land 10 The State. An
extra charge was made for The per diem
of members and the journals show that
Locofoco Senate originated the PROPOSE
ton that Locofoco members in both
Houses introduced and sustained the
charge, with but one or two dissenting
votes, while several Republican votes are
recorded in opposition.
The proposition for Constitutional
Convention was voted for by men of all
parties. 1t necessarily Involved large
expenditure ; but in all The preliminary
movements the Slave Democracy were
emphatically in the affirmative. The
adoption of new Constitution not only
entai!ed the expense of Convention but
The expense of much Legislation and an
extended session of the Legislature atten-
wards, in order 10 adapt the laws of The
Constitution. Here again, then, it is
impossible TO bring railing accusations
against the Republican party on The score
of expenditures. They did up the work
of the convention as speedily as possible,
and received only the wages provided by
law.
Large appropriations have been made
for the Lunatic Asylum but from first
to last the proposition TO build the insti-
institution has been voted for by the Dem
ocratic members almost to man. The
expenditures have been made under the
both parties. No one has ventured even
TO hint that a cent the money has been
squandered or perverted from lis appro-
pirate use. The building, now nearly
finished, is said TO be one of the best in
the Union, complete in all its departments
and adapted for all time to come This
item of extraordinary expenditure cannot
be set down against Republeanism.
The extra session of the legislature,
the constitution convention, and the very
heavy appropriations for the Lunatic
ASYLUM, more than account for every
dollar of deficiency provided for by loan
during the late session of the Legislature.
That loan itself was voted for, by men OF
both parties, with clear appreciation of
the facts, and in view also of the large
deficiency resulting from the n-pay
ment Of taxes.
The appropriation for the blind asylum
at the late session, was regarded by some
as premature, owing TO the depressed con-
dition of financial affairs. But it was
voled for by both parties indiscr inmate
ly, and no man will set the expenditure
down in party account. The object for
bids that. The most questionable act of
the late Legislature was an increase of The
salaries of two Locctoco State officers
Superintendent of instruction, and Regis
ter of the land office. The act was clam
ored for SO loudly by the Democratic
members and some so-called Democratic
journals, the Republican majority finally
consented TO It's adoption. Abundant
insinuations were thrown out about par
tiality, de-, because the Republicans hesi-
tated to allow the increased compensation
The investigation into the affairs of the
County School Fund Commissioners,
was provided for by a unanimous vote of
the Legislature, two years since. IL has
cost the Stale four or five thousand dollars,
and perhaps save hundred thousand
dollars to the School fund.
Thus stands the record, from A. to L..
Not an item of expenditure was pro-
posed in the Late Legislature, but found
ready vociferous advocates in the Le-
compton Democracy. The fact was SO
obvious as to be the subject of frequent
remark among the Republican majority.
/ Now these men who were SO eager for
expenditures, and carried them by their
united votes, turn round and cry out
extravaganza" If any honest voter
wants a specimen of Locofoco Guancier-
ing, where the party has full swing, lei
him turn bis eyes to Washington, where