The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-04
POLITICAL.
TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE COM
MONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

hONnEALTh OF PENNSN Iva ANlA.
Two weeks from to-day it will be your
privilege, in common with your fellow-citi-
zens, to elect Governor for this great Com
monwealth, and whatever may be your pre-
ference you have but two persons to select
from, the Hon. John w. Geary and the Hon.
Asa Packer, representing respectively the Re-
publican and Democratic parties. Personally
there can be no possible objection to either
of these gentlemen, and hence it is for you
to decide whether you will entrust the govern
ment of the State to the Republican or the
Democratic party and as you decide this
question you will cast your votes for one of
these gentlemen. Under these circumstances
it becomes our duty to examine the record of
each party during the time it has had control
of the State government l shall not enter
into an investigation of their actions in rela-
ton to the many great national questions that
have agitated the public mind for the last
twenty-five years, but the more domestic one,
how have they managed our own household?
On the Both of November, 1912, the debt
of the Commonwealth had reached the sum of
$37, ,937, 1924 and from this time until
January, 1861, the Democratic party had
almost uninterrupted control of the State
Government-twice only were they defeated
in the election for Governor, and during the
whole period they had a majority in one or
the other branches of the State Government,
and no measure could pass that did not at
least meet their approval. They levied taxes
on personal property, permitting nothing to
escape, from the toilet to the stable. They
placed taxes on our corporations, discrimi-
mating against those built by our own citi-
Zens and for the purpose OF developing our
vast mineral and agricultural resources
and upon you, the freeholders of this Com
monwealth, they levied taxes on your house
holds wholly unnecessary, and only to be
| squandered among parasites. The single
| item of taxes on your real estate during this
period amounted to the enormous sum of
tUenty;ti0e millions Of dollars, not one dollar
| of which would have been needed had they
| properly husbanded their other resources.
| What did they do with this ?-build railroads
and canals? No, they were already completed.
| On the contrary, they permitted our State
| works to go to destruction, so much so that
| when put up for sale they were disposed of at
| one-third their original COST and were by no
means cheap at that. Did they pay off the
| Indebtedness of the State Not q dollar;
| for on the 1st of January 1861, when the
| Republican party came into power, they found
the debt of the State $37, 800, ,S47'5O-thirty-
two thousand dollars in excess of what it was
eighteen years before. The truth is, these
vast sums were squandered for the purpose of
retaining power, and not until after an indig-
nant constituency had hurled them from
power did we ever hear of Democrat advo-
eating an economical State administration
But let us pass to the other side.
The Republican party came fully into power
in January, 1861 with State debt hanging
over us of $37 1863, ,847'5O, and ere three
months had elapsed they were compelled to
borrow $3, 900, 600 for the purpose of arming
and equipping our quota to aid in crushing
the shareholders Rebellion.
Since the Inauguration of Governor Curtin
nine years have nearly expired, and these have
been nine years of Republican rule. True, at
times the Democratic party have had control
of one or more branches of the State Govern.
ment, but have never held sufficient power to
enable them to dictate the policy of the State.
What has been the result? The State debt on
the Both of November, 1868, less funds in
bank to pay overdue loans not then presented
was $32, 795, 293'25.
The State Treasurer is now proposing tc
pay off one million ($1, ,O00,O00) dollars oi
the debt due July l, 1870, which will be done
as soon as presented, and for all practical pur
poses can be considered paid, which leaves III
with debt of $31 795, 293 30, or SO, 1874, 554 q
less than when the Republican party came intc
power.
Debt OF Commonwealth Nov 30, 1868. .s33 2s2 1880
Less overdue loans not then presented,
but which have since been paid ...... 4s7 1897
Actual debt Nov 80, 1868 ,.....,,. s82, 795 1882
Loan of 1870 which the State Treasurer
is now proposing TO liquidate. 1,0OO0OOO
i State debt as it will stand at the eXpira-
tion of this year .s31, 1876 2932
Debt November 80, 1860. ..........s .s37 1863, ,s47,5
Debt November 30 1869. 81, ,795, 1882
J., Reduction of debt. &c. 174,5549
J Thus much have the Republican party don
e towards reducing your indebtedness.
e In addition to this we have paid extraordi
/" nary expenses incident to the rebellion
:, amounting to $G,012, 1914. Six million an
h twelve thousand four hundred and ffty-nin
sr dollars and seventy-four cents, distribute
il as follows:-
Direct tax levied by the United States
g. Government against the citizens OF
Pennsylvania, but assumed by herself al 946. T19G
go Equipments, pay of soldiers, and ali other
10 military expenses. .......... ....... B. 300 1863
III Premium on gold to pay interest previous
m TO 1866. ..,..,,........,,...,,' 463, 774G
&c Natohsi cemeteries. .:.:...,...,..,.. 16,092f
r. Sehuylknl county draft riots. .....,..,.. 1,OsT4
Id keleI 10 Chambersbufg,,. 59T,6OSf
ne eolaieTs oiphahS S'f'.''''''''''''..,. 162O451f
le 1886 $685.