The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-06-16
He called ON Col MoCroo a. I

He called on Col. McCreary to know
II ne was in favor ofrepealing the tariff
laws. He, himself, was in favor of a fair
tariff for revenue purposes, We have a
big debt to pay, and he was not in favor of
direct taxation to pay it. Gen. Grant
had reduced the public debt over five
hundred millions during his administers
ton. The Republican party had put the
tariff on Injuries and on men who were
able to pay it. We've got this huge debt
to pay that Col. McCreary's party put
upon us, and how are we to pay it with.
out tariff He called upon Col. Nc
Creary to know if he endorsed the Sew
mour and Blair platform OF 1868, which ia.
vored equal taxation on every species OF
property, including bonds, &c.
He said in 1868 the sinking fund assets
were seven millions, and in 1873 it was
but little over two millions.
In five years the Democrats had de-
creased tbs sinking fund asset five mill
lions, and had only decreased the public
debt about one and half millions. In
other words. they had taken five millions
sinking fund assets to pay one and a
half million State debt.
The Democrats had lost a great
amount annually by reason of defaulting
sheriffs. He referred to the Auditor
agent law, and condemned it. He said
the committee appointed by the Legisla-
ture reported that the Auditor had paid
out fourteen thousand for expenses oil
Insurance Bureau, which was not war,
ranted by law, and yet the Legislature
had failed to do anything. He said the
Republicans Of Kentucky had not made
half as much to do over the kuklux out
RACES as the Democratic journals, and
read some extracts from the Courier-Joaer-
nal in reference to it. He said the Legis-
lature had passed resolutions directing
the commissioners of the sinking fund to
sell the State stock in the short-line rail-
road at a time when they could have sold
at sixty-fve cents on the dollar, but they
refused to do so, and now the stock is
worthless, and the State has lost one hum
dred and forty thousand thereby. The
Democrats gave away the Green and
Barren river navigation to a corporation.
He said that while private citizens were
made to pay taxes promptly, there was a
large list of corporations that had not
paid taxes, in fact out of a list Of five
hundred, not more than half has paid
up.
He was for educating the negro chill
dren in separate schools. and was not for
any more tax now, but collect and save
what we now have levied. and appropri-
ate it properly, and it will be sufficient
He is for the common school system re-
gardless of party, and if his party was to
20 against it, he would abandon his party
He referred to the odious rate system OF
tax, which he had opposed, and which Col.
z. F. Smith, superinteudent.hod opposed,
but the same thing under different guise,
had been incorporated in the General
Statutes. He was opposed to per capita and
in favor of property tax for school purpo-
ses. He was offered to a war of one pro-
fession or business upon another, all av-
ocations and professions are necessary
and right, and are all equally interested in
and dependent on the other.
He said the Democrats harped upon
class legislation and abused Congress for
paying the interest on bonds in gold, but
Democrats said nothing about the Legis-
lature of Kentucky in February, 1867,
voting themselves pay in gold. while COM
mon laborers were paid in currency. Oh
no; that was Democratic measure, and
they will not denounce that!
He read from the Couier-Jo,rnaI about
the visit of the Kentucky Legislature,
made TO Louisville aud Cincinnati, in
February, 1870. when they were all on a
general drunk.
He supposed Col. McCreary had forgot
ten one vote he gave in the Legislature
In 1871 a committee was appointed to
get up a report in reference to calling a
constitutional convention; a motion was
made to discharge said committee from
any further consideration of the subject,
and Col McCreary voted for that motion,
which killed off any further action in the
matter that session. The Democratic
platform was silent upon that question.
Col McCreary favored the free schools,
yet his platform is silent as death on the
subject. The gentleman says he favors
immigration, yet his platform says not a
word about it.
He wanted constitutional conventions
to cut of special legislation and local
taxation, and would be in favor of con-
vention if for no other purposes than
these. He charged the Democratic party
with meeting in convention and not
daring to open their mouths on these i'm
portant questions. or civil rights, force
bills, or special payment. &c, &c but
said they adopted a platform Of glittering
generalities instead.
On the question of the civil rights bill,