Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-09-18

municipal government Is not to be
wondered at, neither should it be
discouraged. The reckless waste
and pecu!ations from which the
public treasures have suffered SO Sc.
verely for few years past have been
enormous, and call loudly for reform
in management, for the displace-
ment and punishment Of offenders,
and the selection of better men to
fill their places. But when this cry
is rung to monotony in the ears Of the
people by the Democratic press in
connection with denunciation Of the
Republican party as the criminal In
all cases, and sanctimonious plead
ings Of Democratic virtue, and
prayers that the Democratic party, or
some new party embracing the Dem
ocracy, shall be placed in power in
order to put an end to official dishon-
esty, we are impelled to inquire into
the reputation of the party which
claims such Immaculate purity, and
see what foundation its record fur.
nishes for its claims. How has it be-
haved heretofore when entrusted
with power? How fare those unfor-
tunate localities which are to-day
under Democratic rule, and subject
to Democratic spoilation
The country is familiar with the
unparalleled political corruption and
plundering in New York City for
years. Last year we thought the
den was broken up, and that re-
! form had been inaugurated; that q
fair degree OF honesty and economy
would thenceforth prevail, even
though the Democracy had not been
unseated. Tweed, Hall, Sweeney,
Connolly and few OF the other lead
ing official thieves had been trapped
and were 10 be punished. How have
these promises been fulfilled? The
rogues have not been brought to JUS
tice, and the anticipated reforms
have not been realized. The expen-
ses of the City government last year
were ni,aty-sic millions Of dollars, or
about 500 dollars for every man,
woman and child. The City debt
was increased $l8,000,000 in the four
months ending on tho 3lst Of August
this year. At this rate the Democ
racy Increase the debt Of that City III
one year $54 900, 900, almost half AS
much AS the Republicans decrease the
national debt in the same time.
Similar results are the rule where
ever the Democracy hold undisputed
sway; aud yet its press howls about
Radical lhievlng," and breaches for
Reform by the adoption OF Demo
cratic doctrines and the election OF
Democratic officials. 1t tells US that
old issues are settled, and the past
should be forgotten. 1t is very nat
ural that a party whose record has
rendered it odious, party, which
cannot refer with pride to rs history
should make pretense of reform and
claim credit upon its promises tor the
future. But people will judge OF the
future by the past. In view of the
reputation of this party, what good
ground is there for hope that in its
own name, or that Of the Grange,
which 1T has now practically assumed
in this county, it will ever perform
what it promises?
Under Democratic rule our county
treasury has twice been robbed OF
thousands of dollars which the peo.
ple have been forced to replace by
taxation. Under the same rule our
county had no financial credit, and
it's warrants We're constantly hawked
about ut IS cts. per dollar in "store-
IL u man NV Ah thc AAhb
held county warrant and went to
the Treasurer for payment, he was
politely informed that there was no
m oney in the treasury, but Messrs.
G. or +. & j., merchants, or Mr.. n.
banker, wonld buy it. When these
men presented the order at the treas
ury the money was found to pay it.
OF course the profits were not divided
with the otficialst?l But these things
should be forgotten! Eads, the last
Democratic State superintendent OF
Public Instruction, distributed a
hundred thousand dollars Of the
School Fnnd among tile Democratic
editors and other pets throughout the
State. A portion OF this came into
Marion County. The notes were
not secured, and the State was tleeced.
But that issue il settled" The peo-
pie replaced the money by taxation.