Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-10-21

Wh1Cl, from Inc ClOSo Vi 1OOO u ocLO
Der, 1871. less han three years, ran u,
to the %stupendous sum OF 1891, 200 %
about $780, 900 90 of which drew 10 pc,
cent. interest. Here was an annua
interest charge of 800, 900 90 to be met
When the democrats came in this deb
had been increased by accumulations o
interest to ST.. 200, 900 90. Just think o
it; during those dreadful days they wer,
wringing $3.50, 900 90 in a single yea
from our people, who had been alread,
ruined by a disastrous a Is it won
derful that we were nearly crushed
What has been done by the present All
ministration with this debt? AS soor
as it came in it grappled with the sub
iect in the interest OF the people, ant
earnestly. No effort was neglected Il
serve the welfare of the people as agains
the interests of clamorous and importu
nate creditors whose claims were otter
unjust. The assaults of factious liti
giants were met with intelligent resist
ance, and the result is that there are
now outstanding, S601,6 0 of compro
, mise bonds, and 1854, 900 of old bondl
and interest to date, being a total O
1856, COO. Since January l, 1875, there
have been paid of and cancelled, cou
ty warrants already alluded to. $4,000
old county bonds aud coupons, 1886, 900.
and new compromise bonds, SAL, 500
total, 1928 900. Hence the public debt
of the county has been cancelled during
the past 8 years. including 1882, at the
rate Of S40,s75 per annun. When the
republicans closed their career in the
county the annual interest charge was
about $95 900 90. now it is, S41. 600, in
including interest on the uncompro.
missed portion OF the debt.
The assessed valuation of the county
is So, 800 900. 1t a levy were to be
made equal to the average levy made by
the republicans, during the last 4 years
of their incumbeucy, So Sc 4, the
entire debt could be paid of IN 8 years
more. The average levy for tie past
4 years has been go l-2 cents. Under
republican rule the county was taxed
500, 900 to pay Interest and an average
OF $40. 900 for the ordinary expenses OF
the county, or a total OF 100000 per
year, while under the present conduct of
affairs but $4,000 is required for annual
interest. and $23, 900 for current expen-
ses, a total of SG3, 900, or in round num-
beers a saving In taxes to the people Of
very nearly a hundred Thousand dol
lars per year.
There Is n 10 longer any floating debt.
Warrants which under the republicans
we're at a discount OF Is or 20 per cent.
are 10Y cash, at par.
More valuable ven than all this IS
the strict accountability now required
by the county court, the searching in
v%estigation into all claims, and the evil
dent and palpable desire to conserve
the lnterest'ot the people beyond and
above those of any private person.
These things are all matters of rec.
ord, they are statements to which we
not only invite close attention, but the
most searching investigation.
IT they prove anything they prove
that the gentlemen who now have con-
troll of our county affairs are intelligent
in the conduct OF their Offices, aud faith
tul to the interests OF the people. They
prove that those who fling cpithets at
them may fairly be subjects of susp!-
cion, and that the county officers deserve
we'll of all the people, republicans as
we'll as democrats.
Our republican contemporary said,
last week 1.-THE eighth plank in the
platform Of The democrats of Connecti-
cut we heartily indorse: The life and
character of candidates of a political
party ought to be in themselves Il state
ment of its principles and a guarantee
OF their faithful execution. 1t they are
not, defeat is a party benefit
rather than an l%njary.'" So do
" indorse 1t. Lived up to,
strictly, this would shelve the candidate
for congress whose election is advoca-
ted by the Register. Not by il au-
thority. but by republican declarations.
For instance. the Kansas City Journal,
in 1878. said of Jno. L. Crisp: "He Is
to day the most marvellous combination
OF bombast, gas and cheek upon the
American continent. + n t Crisp
seems to be bowed down with the evil
dent disgust the people are showing for
him. Crisp the lum.
be.ing slush guzzIer OF the lobby" and
it called him In addition a fat fraud"
He is as fat as ever; is he less q fraud
since he has betrayed his political asso-
ciates? Is his lie and character a
statement OF principles for the repu bli.
can party, and all these damaging
allegations true, or were these state
ments all falseP We pause for a reply.
The fifth Missouri congressional dis
trict is n of the most important In the
state; its interests are extensive and
varied. Independent voters will do well
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