New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1859-09-16
STXTE ISSUES FOR THE STATE CANVASS!

We sdmonish the people Of Iowa not to allow their
through the distracting influences of national questions.
Let the State issues govern the State canvass!
STATE EXPENDITURES.
The table of statistical facts, publish
ed by us last week under the above cap
ton, is calling the attention Of the peo-
pie of our county to questions appertain-
ing to the affairs of our own State, and
many of our people, to learn further up
on this topic that so strongly addresses
itself to the taxpayer are making inqui-
ries in regard to the relative expenses of
the administration under Democratic and
Republican sway. It is well known that
the great effort of the Republican party
is to convince the masses that if the rate
per head is not largely increased then
have the people no additional burthens
than were imposed upon them under the
rule of the Democratic party in Iowa. But
let us examine this position and see if it
is tenable. Now, a glance at the history
of our State will show us that during the
entire term the Democratic party held
the State government the lands were in
the ownership of the United States to a
large extent, and were not taxable; and
that even at the time the party went out
of power the land was not more than
half in the hands of individual owners.
Now the expenses of the State, has, so
far as salaries are concerned, been in
creased about 100000, while the expen-
SEES of administering the government has
increased under Republican rule about
$4,000 per annum; and still they JUS
tify themselves from the charge of prof:
ligacy by saying the tax per head has not
been increased. But we wish to exam
inc their whole position in candor: Now,
under Democratic rule, we believe the
average number of inhabitants did in no
instance exceed 10000, and that un-
der their rule it has for a majority of
the time averaged 100000. 10 make
the point perfectly plain, we will take
our W county, say with a population
of 5000, and State, school and county
taxes to the amount of IS, O00-just ST.
600 per head. But let us put our pop
ulation to 10000 and apply the logic
used by the Republican party to con-
vince the people they are not o~vertaxed,
and see how it would work, with the
same rate per head. Why, every man
sees at a glance that this would raise
$4,000 for the county; and so with the
State-90,000 inhabitants say, with a tax
of fifty cents each, would raise }$45, 900
while 100000 at the same tax would
raise $l75,OO0. Now, are the Republi-
cans ready to lay this question before the
people in this, its true light, and saw that
that $4,000 against $4,000 for the
same expense is not proAigate, when the
$l75,o0O still leaves us largely in debt,
being insufficient for the expenses of the
State government. And so to with the
percentage upon the property. Now the
Republicans are making strenuous efforts
to show that if the rtate percentage up
on the property is not increased, then the
party is tree from the charge of profiga-
GYM expenditures. But let us examine
this position; and to make it plain let us
In this also institute a comparison some
what similar to the foregoing, for the
case also demands it. Now let us take
our own county with its lands chiefly
owned by the United States as it was
three years ago, and the salaries of the
Officers being fixed, see what the percent
age must be upon the valuation.
AS in the foregoing case we will sup.
pose the tax necessary to defray the ex.
penses OF the several taxes levied to be 49,
coo and that the taxable property is
$4,000: to raise this SUM q tax Of ten