The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-11-03

Wisconsin,. $50. 2,25O,OOO 2,O57 liX
A close analysis of the above table
will show that Michigan has lower tax
| alton than any state in the union with
| the exception of Massachusetts and
Tennessee. The latter, however, is tar
nished with Reputation, and has failed
| to provide the proper means to meet
the interest on her enormous bonded
debt. A greater part of the expenses
of state government In Massachusetts
are paid by specific taxes without re-
sorting to direct taxation, while in
Delaware the expenses Of government
are paid by specific taxes. Another
prominent feature Of this table is that
which shows that the states which are
practically out of debt give rousing re-
publican majorities.
APPROPRIATIONS UNDER DEMOCRATIC
AND REPUBLICAN RULE.
The state of Michigan has paid in di-
rect appropriations to the various edu-
cational institutions $l,6S0,4l2.40. Of
this amount SIG, was paid during
the democratic.period, and 81 ,664 ,277. %
during the republican period.
For the support of penal and refOrma-
| tory institutions the state has appro-
priated $2,227 ,64336. Of this amount
$25S,773.97 was paid during the demo-
cratic period, and $20lS, 5000 was paid
during the republican period.
In caring for the unfortunate deaf,
dumb, blind, and insane, the state has
appropriated to its various asylums
So, 560,3S795. OF this amount $29, 1872 go
was paid during the democratic period
| = ri ha antrh I inat,
period.
An immense preponderance of the
| buildings, furniture, and fixtures for all
Our state institutions have been paid
| for during the republican period; and
they have been procured on the "pay as
| you go" principle. AS an illustration
of this manner Of doing business the tax
payers own state capitol which cost
| them finished and furnished less than
| 81 ,5l5,000. Good builders from abroad
have said that the building cannot be
| duplicated for that amount"
Besides the paymentl rect s7pro--
above to various ,eduGatiVai and re-
| formatory institutions tha state has
paid as interest on the various trust
funds for the support of education
| $6, Cos, 1881. Of this amount 81 1885,
SS231 was paid during the democratic
period and s. ,421 .266 06 was paid during
| the republican period. The above sta
tistics cover the republican period to
the close Of the fiscal year Of 1881.
STATE TREASURY BALANCES.
The democratic press and stump
speakers charge that the republicans
are keeping an enormous balance In the
state treasury for the purpose Of loan
| ing to "pet banks;" and that for such
| loans the state treasurers receive q
bonus Of $4,000 year. With regard
| to the last charge of perSonal gain,
every bank having state funds on de-
post has through one or more of its
| officers specifically denied that one
| penny has ever been paid or promised
| to any state treasurer for these depos-
it's. Among these banks are the Lam
sing National Bank Of which 0. M.
| Barnes, chairman of the democratic
state central committee is president ;
and the Citizens National bank of Flint
of which Josiah w. Begole ''combina-
ton" candidate for governor is vice
president. In addition every republic
can state treasurer, over his own sigma
ture, has denied ever receiving any such
| bonus.
Under the present system the sink
ng-fund, trust funds, and tho appropri-
ations for general purposes are kept
separate.
The balance in the treasury at the
close of the last fiscal year was 81 ,793,-
| 362.07. Of this amount $60l ,900.SS be-
longed to the general fund for the pay
ment OF current expenses of the state,
salaries of the judiciary and appropria-
tions to the state institutions, etc.
Every other dollar belongs to the
schools of our state or to the sinking
fund.
The total bonded debt Of the state is
5000 1897, Of which $4,000 falls due
Jan. /, 1888. which had to be provided
for and will reduce the balance above
shown nearly one-third.
The money In the sinking fund Is
there under constitutional provisions
No one ever dreamed that 1t would
trouble the state to buy Its bonds as
fast as IL could raise the money to pay
/ for them. But time works wondrous
changes. The money Is on hand with
which to pay the debt, but the state
cannot get the bonds at reasonable fig
ures. That, however, does not author
| lie any party to steal the money from
the sinking funds. Before Taxpayers
give any credence to the cry about high
taxes let them study the tables above
given, and also consult their own tax
| receipts which will show the tax for
state purposes to be but small portion
| when compared with the county, town.