The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-19
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STATE TAXESl
WHO MADE TnCM parD TnEn

WHO MADE ETHCN-WHO PAxD TnEm
As certain dcmagogues are making
considerable noise over the subject of
taxes a short reference to the action Of
Democrats" and Republicans may
not b, amise.
Abou, thirty years ago the "Democ-
racy" nf Pennsylvania inaugnratel a
system Of internal improvements,
which, under its manipulation8, grew
and spread until it threatened to abb
sorb and overshadow every interest of
the State. The debt created by these
improvements exceeded $40, 900.
While tlis enormous debt was bcinr
created no Democrat raised his voice
against it, none proposed to lessen the
evil or to shorten it. In 1913, +. r.
Skunk, Democratic Governor of Penn
aylvania, died he was succeeded by
William T. Johnson, Republican
Speaker ofthe Senate, and at the next
annual election was chosen to that high
otlceby the people. During his term,
and upon his recommendation, the
Legislature, which was also Republi-
can, established a sinking fund for the
reduction of the State debt. By this
measure certain revenues were pledged
to the payment of the principal ofthat
debt. Theamountreceived from these
sourcc5 averaged nearly half million
annually. This system operating
through a poriodof eighteen years pro-
duced upward of $S,0O0,0oo, which
was applied to tho principal of the
State debt, leaving the balance of it
$$2,0OO,0O0.
In 1851 Republican Legislature
authorized sale Of the public works,
which, by the competition of the
Central Railroad, were rapidly depre-
ciating in value. The passage of this
law was violently opposed by the De-
mocracy, but the canse of the people
prevailed and the works were sold
bu. the Democracy did not abandon
their oposition to the sale, they re-
moved the case to the Supreme Court,
but the people were again successful
the sale was confirmed. This sale
produced 100000, which, applied to
the State debt, left it about $25, ,o00,-
900. Payments made upon the prin-
cipal of the debt since the sale of the
public works, have reduced it to $23,.
100000.
In few years after the SHE of the
public works it became apparent that
the revenues of the State were suifiei-
ent to pay current expenses-pay the
interest on the State debt and reduce
the principal, without the tax on
heal Estate. Accordingly, in 1866 a
Republican Legislature and Governor
repealed the law imposing the tax on
Real Estate. Since that date the
homes and farms, the mills and shops
have been free from taxation for State {
purposes. Further experience has
shown that the taxes on personal prop }
crty for State purposes may be REMIT |
ID. A bill is before the present Leyis-
aturo, and will no doubt become a law, q
all taxes on personal proper |
'y for State purposes. Another fact,
disclosed by the State Trcasurer's re-
port, may be stated in thisconnection, /
namely that the taxes for local pur- :
poses in the Repwblican counties of the :
State do not exceed ten mills, while in
he Democratic counties they rise to ;,
,wenty mills to the dollar. Honest :.
ar.payers, which policy do you like
'eat, the Democratic" which created
debt of $40, 100000, opposed its re- r
luction and increased the taxes or the {
Republican policy, which stopped the y
Increase Of the debt, paid it off and re- a
icvcd the-people from taxes ? C
THE last act of Andrew johnson,