Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-10-07

For 1856. .... III 4.t07,35 emo
For 1857, S,743,sI
For 1858, l4,580,23
Making total of $29,O5l.27 .. o..
Add the levy for 1859, 43.l04,79
Road tax for 1859, 100000 a.A
And we have the sum Of $s2,166O6 alta.
Eighty-two thousand one hundred and
sixty six dollars and six cents now due from
the people of this county, not including the
township school tax. OF this enormous
sum about $l1, 100000 is due to the State,
about the same to schools, and the balance
Of about 100000 goes into the county
treasury. What is to be met out of this
amount? .,l8.. -Es '.'.
County Indebtedness, -.t -saw $7,35269
Railroad tax, q. .us.-.. $4,000 90
County expenses came as last year 1864 80
Total, $s2s57 oil
Leaving an excess of $2s,O4s, 90 over and
above the demands upon the treasury, or
about the same amount a, is levied this year
for county purposes. Now it will be seen
that Democratic county officers are Lowing
and collecting from the tax payers of Mus
catine county in one year, more tax than was
collected in the whole State for State pur-
poses in any one year before 1854, and this
too when there is a general depression, and
when the money is not wanted for any
legitimate purpose.
In the expenditures Of the year 1858, we
charge that the county officers have been
reckless and extravagant. In the item of
$l.277. 10 poor house and pauper expenses,
favoritism has been shown. We will
give one instance. The County Judge en-
ploys physician for the paupers who re-
ceives an annual salary for his services;
in one instance without calling upon this
physician he employed another physician
and paid him about $4,000 for attending to
single case. The county physician was
paid for this service.
He was employed by the County Jugde
and if incompetent should have been dis.
charged and another appointed in his stead.
Yet the County Judge, without any notice
to or consultation with the regular phvsic-
ian, in pursuance Of the plan of favoritism
adopted by the Court House Clique employ
ed another and charged the amount to the
pauper account. We all know for what pur-
pose this course was adopted. We might
also refer to the amount paid for the assess
ment Isl ,OSD and show that in this item
favoritism has been shown. But let US
pass to the item of salaries and clerk hire
We charge that this item ia unfairly and
Improperly stated, and when properly stated
the whole amount will be $5,9lS,91. Now
the law provides that the County Judge,
Treasurer and Recorder, and Clerk of the
District Court, shall each receive certain
salary, graduated by the number Of inhabi-
| tants in the county, and the Sheriff receives
salary of ten per cent. on the salaries of
the above named officers. These salaries in
the county make in all $1,000. The Super
intendent of Common Schools receives $500,
leaving for Clerk hire $201S,9l. Now
whilst the County Judge in his report tells
you what he wishes you to believe is the
amount paid for salaries and clerk hire, he
omit. all the salaries except that of the Su-
perintendent. The balance is for clerk hire!
If the County officers had attended to the
business of their Offices themselves, instead
Of spending their time in the State of Maine
or Virginia, or travelling elsewhere, or had
deemed it their duty to devote their time
to the county when at home, this item of
clerk hire would not have exceeded $500.
At the present time your monev is paying
clerks or deputies to discharge the duties Of
these officers while they are canvassing the
county asking you to re-elect them. During
| he term they received their salares-over
5000 per cent. on Swamp lands-soms
$3, 900 or 81 900 in shape of interest on
the public money-and $4,000 with which
to pay clerks for performing the services
the law requires of them-and are now ask
ing you to continue them in Office. Will
you do it? We have shown you from the
reports of the County Judge that there is no
necessity for any loan or tax for the year
1859, for any legitimate county purpose,
ard that nothing but desire to keep on
hand large fund to strengthen the out
posts" could prompt such Il levy.
In the foregoing we have attempted to
give au honest and fair expedition of the
affairs of your county and to 90 it with
out bringing into the discussion the pri vate
character of the officials.
Their public acts are public property, and
for these they are responsible to the public.
If they have honestly and faithfully dis
charged their duties, they have nothing to
fear from riged investigation.
Voters of Muscatine county be sure to
select for your County officers honest, and
faithful, and competent men. If you vote
for the Democratic nominees, you know
what to expect. If you vote for the Repub-
lican nominees you may feel assured Of an
economical administration of your affairs.
They cannot do worse than have done the
present "Court House Clique" As matter
Of policy if not of principle it will be tor
the interest of the Republican candidates, if
elected, honestly and economically to dis
charge their duties.
You have tried the Democracy and have
been burdened with crushing taxation.-
Try the Republicans, and if they fail to
meet your wants at the close of their term,
displace them. .-.l a,~,-
Give them fair trial, and you need not
fear the consequences.
~ The Hon. j. 3. Grinnell. of Powe-