The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-01-13

sions which seriously threaten the
prosperity of the State.
No full and exact statement can
be made from the Official reports as
to the amount annually collected
from the property holders of the
State IN form Of special assessments
for what are termed local improves
ments, but it Is certain that this
burden is also great and rapidly
growing.
The Auditor of State reports cas-
es in which such assessments have
been made, amounting to half of
the cash value Of the properly on
which they were levied, and, in one
case, which he refers 20, the ASSESS
ments was double the value Of the
property.
In respect to these evils it is un-
d~oubtedly easier TO ind fault than
TO provide q remedy. No single
measure will remove them. Prob.
ably no system OF MEASURE which
he General assembly can adopt
will Of themselves accomplish what
is desired. a complete reform Is
impossible, unless the City, Coun-
ty, and other officers are disposed
and thoroughly competent to do the
work of cutting off every uaneces-
sary expenditure.
Much, however, can be accomp-
lIshod by wise legislation: Let the
General Assembly firmly adhere to
.he policy of the Constitution, and
refuse to enact special lawr grant
ing powers to tax or make assess
meuts. Let such powers be exer-
cised only in pursuance of general
laws. Local authorities should be
empowered to levy no higher rate
of taxation than IS absolutely re-
quired for practical efficiency under
ordinary circumstances. In extra>
ordinary cases general laws should
provide for the submission Of the
proposed tax OR assessment to the
people 10 be effected by il, under
sdeh regulations that it can not be
levied unless at least two-thirds Of
the Taxpayers approve the meas
ure.
Local Indebtedness.
One of the most valuable articles
of the present State Constitution 10
that which prohibits-t The State, save
in few exceptional cases, from
creating any debt, and which pro-
vIdes for the payment at an early
day. Of the debt already contracted.
] am convinced that it would be
wise to extend the same policy to
the creation of public debts, By
county, city. and other local auth.
oriues. The rule, "pay as you 60"
leads to economy in public as well
as IN private Affairs, while the pow
err TO contract debts opens the door
to wastefulness, extravaganza and
corruption.
In the early history Of the State,
when capital was scarce and ex
psnsive, public works were requir-
ed for transporting the products of
the State to market, public debts
were probably unavoidable. But
the time, 1 believe, has come when
not only the State, but all of Its su-
divisions ought to be for
hidden to incur debt. The same
rule on this subject ought to be ap-
Piled 30 local authorities which the
Constitution applies TO the State
Legislature. Experience has prov
ed that the power to contract debt
is as liable to abuse by local boards
rs it is by the General Assembly
il Is important to the people that
the State should be free from debt,
It Is also important that Its munich
pal divisions should not have power
to Cypress them with the burden of
local Indebtedness.
Fired Salaries for all Officials.
1t would promote an economical
ADMINISTRATION of the laws If all Of
fcers, State, Couaty, and Munich.
pal, including the members Of the
Legislature, were paid fixed saIar-
les.
Under the existing laws, . part of
the public officers are paid by fees,
and a part by fixed annual salaries
or by . per diem allowance. The
result is great Inequality and injus-
tee. Many of those who r paid
by fees receive o compensation out
Of all proportion to the services rem
Others are paid salaries
inadequate. For example,,
many County officers, and some CI-
ty officers, receive greater compen-
han the Judges of the Su-
Court of the State. The sal
aries paid to the Judges ought to
be increased the amount paid to
many other officers ought to be re-
To do justice, . system of
fixed salaries, without fees or per.
quisites, shoald be adopted. The
of Ohio will without ques-
ton, sustain an increase ofthe sala-
ries of Judges and of other omcers
who r now inadequately paid
But it car probably best be done as
part of q system which would pre-
vert the payment 10 public officers
Of enormous sums by means of fees
and perquisItes. To remove all
ground of complaint, on account of