Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-01-12

lages................. s,C55946 90
TOTAL increase ....-..,......... lo,o'3,3S3 W
Net decrease as above. ........ 81 ,105, ,S96 90
From the foregoing statement it appears that the
State debt has been reduced during the past year
almost one and half millions Of dollars, and that
the Indebtedness OF counties, townships and
school districts has been reduced over three hun.
dred thousand dollars But cities Of the first and
second class and incorporated villages have in
creased their indebte dness more than ten millions
Of dollars since the close Of the fiscal year 1873.
LOCAL INDEBTEDNESS AND TAXATION.
The attention of the Legislature has often been
called to the rapid increase OF municipal indebted
ness and expenditures but it is so important that
do not hesitate to repeat what has heretofore
been said. The whole people OF the State are
deeply interested in this subject The burdens
borne by the cities and towns must be shared, in
part at least, BY all who transact business with
them. The town and the neighboring country
have q common interest, and, in most respects,
must be regarded community. submit
t1si % sSt sa 81 Local tS sae ~ EN-
st9se '--'''u'i0n on the SubjectO of State indebted
Under the provisions Of the eighth article Of the
Constitution, the State debt, Notwithstanding the
extraordinary expenditures OF the war, has been
reduced a. from oyer twenty millions, the amount
due in 1851 until 1t is now only about six millions
An important part of the constitutional provisions
which have been 40 successful in State finances is
the section which requires the creation Of q sink
ing fund, and the annual payment Of a constantly
increasing sum on the principal Of the State debt.
Let requirement analogous to this be enacted in
IeRhIu 10 e4lhunB local ludeOtedneBg; let q 1u-
dicious Limitation Of the rate Of taxation which
local authorities may levy be strictly adhered to,
and allow no further indebtedness to be author.
lied except in conformity with these principles,
and we may, believe, confidently expect that
within few years the burdens Of debt now rest
ing upon the cities and towns of the State will
disappear, and that other wholesome and much
needed reforms in the whole administration Of our
municipal government will OF necessity follow the
adoption of what may be called the cash system in
local anair.
MuHIcIPAI aoyKnNNsHHr
Under any limitations and safeguards which
the Legislature may adopt, very large discre-
authorities. The wisdom Of Its exercise will de
pend mainly on the citizens themselves. In or
der to secure an honest economical, and efficient
administration Of city government, the best cit
liens Of all parties must unite and act together In
the administration OF our State and National Gov
ernments we have political parties and II is proba-
reason for the antagonisms OF political parties in
municipal government than In bank or rail
road company. Municipal governments are or
ganizations designed chiefly Tor the better protec-
ton Of property and person, and the better man
agement Of schools and charities. In the admin
tstration Of such governments all honest indus
trious citizens have an identical interest. The
cooperation of moderate proportion Of the best
citizens in any city in Ohio, with the determine
tion expressed by them that good men, from all
political parties or no political party, shall ad
party, shall not hold its offices, would soon secure
q good municipal government. Such & govern.
nent CdllH Tor the pest MOFk OF Inc DtsL men. ana
neither party alone can furnish IT, The improve
ment Of our municipal government generally
would constitute one OF the best possible guaran-
tees Of an efficient civil service upon q large scale
hAssILLoN RIOTS.
In the month OF April last information was re-
ceived from the Sherifs Of the counties OF Stark
and Wayne, and from other sources that in some
Of the mining districts Of those counties bands OF
rioters were by force and intimidation preventing
laborers from working where they had been hired
and were desirous to labor, and that their employ
ers had been expelled by violence from theirprop-
erty.
The Adjutant- General and the Attorney General
Of the State Immediately repaired TO the scene OF
the alleged riots, and after investigation reported
that the representations Of the Sherids Of those
counties were fully sustained by the facts, and
that the local authorities were unable to afford
protection to citizens and 20 preserve the peace.
The AdjutAnt- General was directed to call TO the
aid OF the local authorities of said counties mil.
itary force suficient TO protect citizens in the
joyment OF their rights and to enforce the laws.
With the assistance thus afforded. the civil
thonies were enabled % arrest many Of the Of.
Tenders and prevent further injury to person and
properly. Immediately after learning that the
locAi authorities were again able TO maintain law
and order without assistance from the State, the
military companies which had been called into the
service OF the State were Withdrawn and returned
10 their homes
The Adjutant- Generals report contains a full
and detailed account Of these transactions accom-
panied by copies OF all papers relating thereto,
and statement OF the expenses incurred. II is
gratifying that In this affair which at one time
threatened TO be very serious, the supremacy OF
the law was upheld without loss OF life. Adiutant-
General Wikof, Attorney General Little and the
officers and men Of the military companies which
were called out deserve and have received the
marked appreciation OF the people OF the state.
STATE BOARD or oKNrKNNIAL MANAGERS,
The Board OF Centennial Managers have com
peted the work intrusted TO them, aud II is a sat
isfaction 10 know that the part taken by the peO-
pie Of Ohio In the national exhibition at Philadel-
phla was highly oreditable to the State.