Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-11-04

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$40 800 accumulated under the higher
tax years of the republicans. So much
for the county expense question proper.
Unfortunately this does not exhaust
the question of our county finances
During the very same period. when our
current expenses were each year from
1913 ,523 10 to $97, ,548 O6, our county
court was piling up u bonded debt,
which, from the close of 1868 to Octo-
ber. 1871. less than three years. ran up
to The stupendous sum OF 1891 200 co.,
about $500. 900 90 OF which drew 10 per
cent. interest. Here was an annual
interest charge of 800, 900 90 to be met.
When the democrats came in this debt
had been increased by accumulations OF
interest to $1,000, 900 90. Just think of
it; during those dreadful days they were
wringing $lSO.OOO 90 in single year
from our people, who had been already
ruined by disastrous war. Is it won
derful that We were nearly crushed ?
What has been done by the present ad-
ministraiion with this debit? AS soon
as it came in it grappled with the sub
ject in the interest OF the people, and
earnestly. No effort was neglected to
serve the welfare OF the people as against
the interests OF clamorous and importu-
nate creditors whose Gains were often
unjust The assaults of tactiOus liti-
giants were met with intelligent resist.
ance, and the result is that there are
now outstanding. $601. 600 of compro-
mise bonds, and SLID. 900 of old bonds
and interest to date. being a total OF
$755, 600. Since January l, 1878, there
have been paid of and Cancelled. coun-
ty warrants already alluded to. $45.5OO;
old county bonds and coupons, $236. 900.
and new compromise bonds. SAL 800 /;
total, $323, 900. Hence the public debt
of the county has been cancelled during
the past years. including 1882, at the
rate OF SAC, 1915 per annun. When the
republicans closed their career in the
county the annual interest charge was
about S95 200 90, now it is, S41 900, in.
including interest on the uncompro-
missed portion of the debt.
The assessed valuation Of the county
is $S, 100000. II a levy were TO be
made quail to the average levy made by
the republicans, during the last years
of their incumbency. So Sc l 4, the
entire debt could be paid off in 5 years
more. The average levy for the past
4 years has been 92 ID cents. Uuder
republican rule the county was taxed
500, 900 to pay interest and an average
OF $4,000 for the ordinary expenses OF
the county, or a total'of 100000 per
year, while under the present conduct ol
affairs but $40, 900 is required for annual
interest. and $23, 900 for current expen-
ses, total of $63, 900, or in round mum.
bers saving In taxes to the people OF
very nearly q hundred thousand dol
lars per year.
There Is no longer any floating debt.
Warrants which under the republican,
were Mt discount OF Is or 90 per cent
are now cash, at par.
More valuable even than all this !:
the strict accountability now required
by the county court, the searching in
vestiga,ion into all claims, and the evi
den; and palpable desire to conserve
the interest OF the people beyond a2t
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, and faith
iul to the interests OF the people. They
prove that those who fling epithets a
them may fairly be SUBJECTS of suspl
cion, and that the county officers deserve
Well of all the people, republicans a
we'll as democrats.