The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-01-09

--e- d.lr Of .----.a- -............ -s.--. lls .-
-.g- a-. c- l--lE-. .e-utllE
debts created ar Boards r.. EIu-
eaton, other than -gr .--arl--
-e-D-l -. .- ....-...... .----.... f.--
. --a- deb. ol -...e- .t.-- aLd s.--
... -al.gg. Is- -gr-
4. a-r.- ~ rel-1aurS.r..
I'D Local lhcgelrra
- ---.---..--.-..--... - 4.i .'l a
/ 10 r....s. a.r s,elaa-Ib.c debt se5l i-- u
A-fr- have aggregate debts
In this statement, the State debt is
reckoned 10 November 18th, 1872, and
local Indebtedness To September I,
1872. To the local indebtedness above
set forth, is to be added. for debts
created in aid Of railroad enterprises,
under what is known as the Boesel
law, up to January !, 1873, not less
than q, 900, 600 more. On Decem Der
23d it was S3,177,000.
The balance in the State Treasury
on the ljih day OF November
ISL, si7l lLiJ =
4 ne 4ENE4l1L1 -DL AA4E A1Ga4 EEtlE
ending November -, lST2, were. l,1j1,se1 g
ary i!' for the year St ir- II -ts 5o5gI ..
We year ii95Gn.s have 6gsn...s uul.ns Int 55s5 81
'i5.iiSS Is. IN Ile'1uly, Nore,iioe- HISS 81
The Auditor Of state estimates
the receipts for the cUrrent,year
from all sources at..----..--...-..-.S JiOJ3,l %
The disbursements at........-.-..-.. J,lS6,J6j .
Leaving estimated deficit No
vember Is, Is73.....................-. a8a.9z7 II
The taxes levied in 1871, collectable
in 1872, were
state taxes 4,'SJ0, ~ y
County and dLOcal.......-......--.-.7 7S,GOi,66O y
Delinduencles & Forfeitures . G32, rs 81
Total ........ ..................S2 y, ,5S7.654 q
The taxes levied in 1872, collectabIe
in 1873, were
County and LOcaI..................-IS IS,S}I,l22 s9
DeIinquencIes and forfeitures...... 56I,9a2 .
The attention of the Legislature has
been so frequently called to the sub
ject Of local indebtedness, that / hesi-
tate to mention il again. The evil
continues and grows upon us, and is
not likely to be diminished, until q
remedy shall be found in positive pro-
hibitory legal enactments, or in con-
stitutiOnal provisions, absolutely for
bidding local public debts. Boards
officers, not always constituted Of
those best qualified to manage large
pecuniary interests, are, under exist
ing laws, entrusted with eXtTaOTdi-
nary powers, and with . discretion
which the Legislature itself would
hesitate to exercise directly. Under
the construction which our highest
State Court has given to the Constitu-
ton, and under laws passed in con-
formity Herewith, the authority Of
minor political organizations TO ere
ate debts, If not unlimited, is at least
very large and complete.
RAILROADS.
During the past year, two hundred
and seventy miles Of railroad have
been constructed and put in operation
within the limits of our State. The
rails have been laid upon three hun
dred and twenty-five miles in addi-
ton; and charters for the construc-
ton of four thousand miles more
have been granted. This is certainly
an indication of enterprise and pro-
gressive spirit; we hope it will no
where prove the evidence of reckless
ness or the result of miscalculatiOn.
Railroads should be built whenever
the advantages to be derived there
from overbalance the cost. But a
caution may be necessary, lest some
of our cities, towns and villages may
burden themselves with debt for
which there will be no adequate Te-
turn. Men sometimes, upon impulse
and under excitement, do what the
sober second thought condemns. 1t IS
not here intended to discourage, i'll
general terms, the building of rail-
roads, or TO Tetard, in any possible
way, the development of our re-
sources. ! know there are many To-
caIities in the State where the cOnve-
nience, comfort and financial prosper
ity of the people, absolutely require
additional railroad facilities. Wher-
ever wealth can thereby be created, ,or
our products increased and brought
near to ready markets, railroads
should be built ; but these enterprises
should be presented with discretion
thoughtfully, sOberly, deliberately.
Without having any particular in
stance of mistake in mind, make
these suggestions in anticipation of
possible danger, considering the ex-
periences Of the pas year.
RAILROAD BRIDGES.
The Investigations already made
the necessity for thor
ough examination of all the railroad
bridges and trestle-wOrk of the State,
some having been found in q very
weak and dilapidated condition. |
recommend that the Commissioner of
Railroads and Telegraphs be author
lied to employ such assistance as may
be needed, and that he be provided
with funds to pay the expenses there
of.
AUDITORS REPORT.
Details regarding debts, taxes, and
railroad projects, will be found in the
State Auditors Report, which, for the
first time, contains q full statement Of
local Indebtedness. You are also re-
ferred to several important sugges-
tions made by the Auditor, with ref
erence to legislation affecting his Of
flee.
ADJUTANF GENERALS REPORT AND
WAR CLAIMS.
By reference to the Adjutant Cen
erals Report, it will be seen that there
are claims for reimbursement, now
peEding in the Treasury Department
at Washington, on account of eX-
penses incurred by the State of Ohio
during the war of the rebellion,
to Sl17,747.2f, of which
claims to the amount of S49,51279