Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-09-24
Iowa.

One would suppose by reading the
Denocratic papers and no others
that the affairs of Iowa have been,
and are run by most despicable and
reckless ring of scoundrels; that our
finances are in an almost hopeless
condition, the treasury the constant
prey of thieves, and that extravaganza
and corruption rule the hour in
State affairs Democratic papers in
other States, however, that have no
partisan purpose to subserve by mis-
representation and demagogery, take
another view of our situation. The
following article, taken from the st.
Louis Republican, the leading Dem
ocratic journal of Missouri, pictures
with graphic force the difference be-
tween the condition of Missouri, I'M
der Democratic rule, and that of Iowa,
which has been Republican fortwenty
years. TO have Iowa represented by
a Democratic paper of influence and
standing as paradise for taxpayers,
and her financial condition held up
as thing to be devotedly prayed for
does not argue corrupt or careless
administration of her affairs. The
RepubHco,e's article will repay peru
sal:
SIowa seems to be sort of a para
disc for the taxpayer, and the tax
ground property owners of this and
other States will read enviously of
the simple ways of the people who
have not yet learned the ineffablc
blessings of a big public debt. In
fact they just seem to keep few
State bonds outstanding against their
commonwealth to show people that
they know how to get that sort of u
thing up, and are not of mind to do
more of it. AS most of our States
have gone in these latter days, that
is very simple, but we are inclined
to believe not altogether unattractive
to the property owners. We have
tried the other chute in Missouri
until we are pretty thoroughly tired
of it, and we are Oh the back track
now to see if we can't prosper just rs
much BY following the Iowa lead
When we turn from our S1S,00O,OO0
debt to the honest 100000 which
stands against Iowa, we are some
what disheartencd, but by the aid Of
this new constitution which we are
about to take to ourselves, we are
going to make IA strong effort to
shake off our incubus. We owe
something more than $40 and Iowa
only a traction over 23 cents per CAPT
tn, so there is deal of difference be-
tween us; but we are so much richer
than she is, that we may cover it in
time and catch up. Meantime the
Iowa example is 4 cheering one to
keep in our minds as an incentive to
our work. Iowa claims the smallest
debt of any State i'll the Union except
Oregon, which owes only S2ls,OQ0,
and may owe Il great deal more when
it has had more time to issue bonds.
Iowa owes 100000, and has $685.
900 now in the treasury, The amount
of State valuation is $4OO,842,14O,
and the amount of wealth per capita
about S3OS. The State tax is $685.
1923, or 20 cents on the 800. This
revenue exceeds the expenditures eve
ny year by about $35O,OOO and this
surplus is appropriated every two
years to the State University, Agri-
cultural College, Reform School,
Insane Asylum, Blind Asylum,
Panitentiary, aud the new Capitol.
That we may some day reach the
same condition prosperity is u con
summation we devoutly pray for and
rely on the new constitution to
bring about.