Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-10-20
DOES DEnoORATIC RULE PAY

much further than that and nllege not
only that the Radical party is corrupt
and extrnyagant but that the Demo
| cratic party is honest and economical.
| We seek not mer.iy to win, because OF
the weakness of our enemy, bus be-
canse Of our own strength as well
Throughout the State, wherever Radi-
cal nisrule has been followed by Demo
| cratic rule, order has followed disor-
der, honesty has followed corruption
and &C onomy has taken the place Of
| extravaganza, and low taxes and reaso-
nEble assessments the place of the
| "xhorbitant ones that were formerly
| imposed Is this mere assertion without
| proof? The records show that what
We .ay. Is true in both tho State and
| county governments. But it is to the
| county governments that We desire to
| cali especial attention this morning.
| WHAT DEMOCRATIC RULE HAS DONE FOR
WAKE.
In 1875 the taxes IN Wake county for
State and county purposes. amounted
in the aggregate to $76,395 "a.
In 1876, for State and county pur-
poses the tax amounts in the aggregate
to $66, 1888 73.
We are compelled to believe, says
the Raleigh Sentinel, that this de-
crease Of S10.007 IL is the result Of
the honest and efficient management t
Of cur Democratic Board of County
Commissioners, with the aid of that
reliable, able and faithful Democratic
sheriff, Sydney III. Dunn.
WHAT 1T HAS DONE FOR WILSON.
In 1870, when Radicalism was over
powered and the Democrats party
took the reins Of county government
the newly elected Board of Commis-
sioners found it's financial affairs in a
very deplorable, badly mixed and
tangled up condition. The county was
IN debt, its bonds were floating around
loose and hawked about at q heavy
discount, taxes high, the public
buildings and grounds out of order
bridges everywhere in bad repair, no
aims house-in short, a general survey
of the field presented sad and sor-
rOwful spectacle.
Now, see the change. Since 1872,
says the Wilson AdUance, the county
has been under Democratic rule, and
the following gratifying exhibit of it's
financial condition shows the, differ
ence between Radical rule and honest
government: The county is entirely
out of debt, with surplus of two or
three Thousand dollars in it's treasury:
her bonds and jurors tickets are at par,
and rs current on the streets as
greenback dollar; the taxes which have
been made lower will be considerably
reduced the next year; public schools
for both races exist ell over the county
and the teachers are paid. Since
1872, the public build ings, Courthouse
and iaiD have been repaired, and the
court square enclosed with hand
some iron railing; poor, house one of
the handsomest and most commodious
buildings Of its character in the state,
has been erected at cost of several
thousand dollars; the bridges every
where are in good condition, quite
number having been entirely rebuilt
The most important item we reserve
for the last, and that is, during the
entire Iiadical administration not
$500 was expended on public schools.
Since the Democratic administration
So, 900 have been expended on white
aud black schools alike, and the county
treasurer has in hand $4,000 now,
which will be sacredly applied to that
purpose during the present year.
WHAT IT HAS DONE FOR NASH.
Nash county once again stands re-
generated and disenthralled. Oa the
first Monday in September. 1874, the
present very efficient Board of County
Commissioners qualified and entered
| upon the discharge of the duties OF
their Office. at that time the county
| was $4, 800 in debt. To-day she is
free from all indebtedness and has
several hundred dollars in the treasury.
The Radical party had possession of
the county up to that time, left it en-
barrassed as above stated, and now,
through Democratic hands, she is
placed back to her former proud posi-
ton, without embarrassment, with
taxes decreased from eighty to seventy
cents on the 800 and her credit and
good name redeemed. Actions speak
louder than words.
WHAT IT HAS DONE FOR WAYNE.
Uuder Radical msrule the take, for
county purposes alone average from
$4,000 to $4,000 a year, and tie
county expenditures were stated to be
from 81, 900 to $4,000 a year. In
the face OF this excessive taxation d
heavy debt had accumulated. Coulty
orders were almost worthless, and
ring Of Republican speculators fattened
IN the Court House on the spoils rob-
bed from the people.
In 1874, when the present Demo-
cratic officers were elected. the fnan>
cial affairs of the county were in a
most deplorable condition. A debt,
variously estimated from $4,000 to
$12, 900, hung over the tax payers.
County orders were reproach to the
county. Less than two years of eco.
nomical and intelligent government
wrought wonders. !Old claims and
orders. Amounting to over S1O OOO