Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-09-26
Wisconsin Cheaply Governed State
ZION AL MIlwaakee sentInel. ]

L
In the State canvass of 1869, the
Wisconsin Democracy sought to di.
vert attention from their own sha ne.
fGl record by raising hue and cry
about the extravaganza of state ex-
penditures under Republican admin
istration. They flooded the state
with ejaculatory addresses on this
subjeot. They sent out formidable
arrays Of figures, supported by bat
talions Of exclamation points to show
the amounts stolen by the 'profli-
gate party in power" to borrow q
popular Democratic ALTERATION, they
Knocked the multiplication table in
to pi, and exclaimed, "See here
this bewidering mass Of Arabics
represents the sums Of which you
have been robbed aud pIundored %
They talked of incompatible squan-
behring's, of wholesale larcenies OF the
peoples substance, and out Jeremia-
ted Israeps most hypochondriac
prophet in their doleful lamentations,
over the extravaganza of Republi-
can rulers, aud the terrible taxation
by which Wisconsin was impover-
ished
The effect Of this clamor, then, WAS
to direct attention to State finances.
By examination and comparison, it
was then shown that Wisconsin aCaS
one Of the most economically governed
States IN the Union This was so
clearly demonstrated to The peopls
IN that canvass that they endorsed
Republican economy by nesrly doub-
ling the Republican majority OF tho
previous State election.
In tho present canvass the Demo-
cracy, in sheer desperation, have re-
sorted to tho same unfortunate tao.
ties. The same disordered multipli>
cation table is set upon exhibition,
the same dismal croak is heard, only
pitched on more lugubrious key.
The facts remain the same. and the
result will be the same. Wisconsin
is still one Of the most cheapy gov
srned States, and will increase her
Republican majority this fall Let
Us compare expenditures, taking 9TH
err States at random.
Wisconsin has a population, as
shown by last census, of / ,055, Ie7 ;
state debt, s2,252,O57,O0 Her OK
penditures in 1869 we're S919 1872 80.
and 1870, 5000, 329 SO.
Now take Kentucky. Population
1921, 001, a fifth larger than Wiscon-
sin state debt, three and one-half
millions, nearly covered by assets !;
has about the same number of Char
liable institutions, her expenditures
in 1870 were S1,645,O27 81, not quite
twice as large as those OF Wisconsin.
Democratic economy has clear field
there
Take Maryland. Population, $780,
1914, about three-fourths part OF Wis
consin, and hor assessed valuation of
property is little less than ours.
She supports but ono charitable insti-
tuition lunatic asylum while Wiscon-
sin supports five. Her expenditures
IN 1869 were 1888, BOIL 10, only three
and one-third times greater than
those of Wisconsin. Democratic re-
tren 2hment and reform have had full
awning in "My Maryland"
Turn to Connecticut. Population,
537, AIS, half that of Wisconsin. She
supports about the same number of
charitable institutions, and is in area
about oue-twelfth the size Of Wscon-
sin. Her disbursements in 1870
wcreS1, 871 $4,000. OF this three
fourths Of a milion was principal on
debt, making annual expenses proper
81, 121, 500 90, only $500, 900 greater
than Wisconsin. Democratic econ
omy hovers over the Treasury there
about half the time.
Look now at Michigan, model
State: population 1,1842 96, only
10000 greater than Wisconsin /;
area about the same State debt 81
1856, 000-say $4,000 greater than
ours. She maintains two charitable
institutions. She disbursed in 1870,
81. 1894, 3O5.47, over twice the sum
expended by Wisconsin.
Iowa is the brag State for cheap
government population |, 1871 100
about 100000 greater than Wiscon-
ain, and she supports the same mum
Der of charitable institutions. She
is out of debt and has q surplus in
her treasury, Her expenditures for
the last fiscal term oftwo years were
1883, 507 .96-an average of S776,-
1853 49 per annum, Deduct the $780,
600 nearly winch Wisconsin pays on
her debt, and her expenses for 1863
and 1870 would be about $4,000
per annum, considerably less than
those of Iowa.
Compare with Indiana. Population
1891, or one-third greater than
Wisconsin her State debt four mill
ions has three charitable institutions
and two State Prisons. Her disburse-
ments in 1869 amounted to 81, Ala, !,
27111. Since the war they have
ranged from four to four and hall
millions annually. The Democracy
have power enough in that State to
! block the wheels of government oe.
cssionally, and they might exercise
it in behalf of retrenchment if they
would.
The above figures are taken from
the official reports of the States nam,
ed, some Of which are in size and
population nearest to our own. They
show conclusively that for economics
administration Wisconsin ranks
among the foremost, and is far ahead
Of tho States under Democratic con
troll. A similar comparison was
made two years ago by Senator
Howe, from the then latest reports
and he declared that, as the result
Of his Investigations, that "Republi'
cans had furnished to Wisconsin tn
cheapest government tchich has been fur
nished to any State in the Union
sag A correspondent from Kilbourr