Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-01-20
GAIIIP THURSDAY

greatest care in the choice of citi
zens to fill the important local of
fees. Experience does not seen to
justify the expectation that an ade,
quate remedy can be obtained in this
way.
l submit that to the subject of To-
cal Indebtedness, the General Assem-
bly, should apply the principles of the
State Constitution on the subject OF
State indebtedness.
1t is not enough to require in every
grant of special authority to incur
debt, as a condition precedent, that
the people interested shall approve it
by their votes. 1t is well known
how easy such elections are carried,
under the influence of local excite
ment and local rivalries. If the rule
of the State Constitution which for
bids all debts except in certain speci-
fed emergencies, is deemed too
stringent to be applied to local af-
fairs, the Legislature should at least
accompany every authority to con-
tract debt with an imperative re-
quirement that tax sufficient to pay
off the Indebtedness within a brief
period shall be Immediately levied,
and thus compel every citizen who
votes to Increase debts to vote at the
same time for an immediate increase
of taxes sufficient to discharge them.
The wisdom Of the policy long
since adopted, of placing a judicious
limitation on the power of municipal
authorities to levy taxes, has been
vindicated by experience. 1t must,
however, ultimately fail to accom-
plish its object, if the increase of
municipal Indebtedness is allowed to
go on. To authorize a town to con-
tract debt, whose expenditures al
ready require taxation up to the
limit allowed by law, is in its neces-
sary effect tsntamoGnt to a repeal of
the limitation.
Underthe provisions of the eighth
article of the Constitution, already re-
ferred to, the State debt, notwith-
standing the extraordinary expendi
lures of the war, has been reduced
from over twenty millions, the
amount due in 1851, until it is now
only about seven millions. An i'm
portant part of the Constitutional
provisioBs which have been so sue
cessful in State finances, is the sec
tion which requires the creation of
sinking fund. and the annual pay
ment of a constantly increasing sum
on the principal of the State debt.
Let requirement analogous to this
be enacted in regard to existing local
indebtedness; let a judicious limita-
tion of the rate of taxation which 10
cal authetities may levy be strictly
adhered To; and allow no further in
debtedness to be authorized except
in conformity with these principles,
w. ssay, sbciieye, confidently
's,,, ssehka a-fAw sass .the.
burdens. " debt now resting upon
the cities and towns of the State
wfii~disappear, and that other whole-
some and much needed reforms in the
whole administration Of our munich
pal government will, of necessity, fol-
low the adoption of what may be
called the cash system in local affairs.
Among the most interesting du
ties you will have to perform are
those which relate to the guardian
ship and care of the unfortunate
classes of society, and to the punish
ment and reformation Of criminals.
According to the latest official re-
ports, the State is responsible for the
support and care of about fifteen
thousand of her dependent citizens.
The State is also bound to see that
many thousand more, who are i'm
prisoned for longer or shorter peri
ods, on account of crime, have just
and wise treatment. There is an
nually expended in the performance
Of these duties a sum exceeding
$2,5OO.O00. The people of Ohio feel
a profound interest in what are
known as the benevolent, reforms
tory, and penal institutions Of the
State.
In order that the General Assem-
bly, might, from time to time, receive
full and accurate information as to
the efficiency of the management of
these institutions, and of the county
and city jails. infrmaries and work
houses, it was enacted, in 1867, that
a Board of State Charities he estab-
lished. 1t was intended that this
board should he composed Of citi-
zens of intelligence and benevolence,
who would serve without compensa-
ton. They were 'to investigate the
system of the public charitable and
correctional institutions of the State,
and to make such recommendations
as they might deem necessary" They
were also required to make annually
full and complete report of their
doings to the Legislature. In pur-
Suauce vi bIllS law OOaiu WAC VI
ganized, which, at trifiing expense
to the State, did much valuable work.
BY reason of their Investigations
and reports, important improvements
were introduced into the infirmaries
and jails of the State, and the general
efficiency of our penal and retorma
tory system was increased. In 1872
the General Assembly, without due
consideration, it is believed, repealed
the act creating the board. | respect
fully recommend that the Board OF
State Charities be re-established.
1t is believed that an investigation
in the interest of economy will dis
cover that several offices, somewhat
expensive to the State, may, without
detriment to the public service, be
either abolished or so consolidated as