The Russellville Democrat., 1886-09-01

Hep1UIlG0H ADMINISTRATION was
reckless and improvident. It great.
II increased the current expenses Of
the state government, and piled mil
lions on millions In the shape ofl
public debt.
From 1872 to 1874 the expenses or
the republican state government az
gregated $685. 1886. From 1884 to
1886, under democratic management
they amounted to $3.50, 900.
In 1873 (republican rule) the rate
Of state taxation was IL 5 mills. The
rate III 1886 democratic ruIe) is 4
mills.
From 1868 70 1874 (republican
ruie) the state debt was increased
100000 From 1880 to 1856
democratic rule the state debt was
decreased Sl4,700,000.
From 1870 TO 1871 republican
rule) the state penitentiary cost
$248,600. From 1884 to 1856 (dcn.
ocratic rule) the state penitentiary
netted S81 900 to the state.
In 1874 Republican rale) the
school fund in the state treasury was
1874, 900. In 1886 democratic rulc)
the school fund in the state treasury
amounts to 1851, 233.
From 1878 to 1874 (republican
rule the salaries Of the state exccu
tive and judicial officers aggregated
1921, $50. From 1884 to 1885 (dem-
ocratic rule) these salaries amounted
to $133, 300.
From 1872 to 1874 Republican
rule) the state land office cost the
state $5I,675. From 1884 to 1886
democratic rule) the receipts Of the
state land office exceeded the expens
cs $110.027.
| From 1872 to 1874 republican
rule the secretary of states Office
cost the tax payers $26, 125. From
1884 to 1886 democratic rule) the
receipts (partly estimated above ex-
penses foot up $4,000
From 1868 to 1874 republican
rule) running the state government
cost the people $8,582,232. From
1880 to 1886--same length Of time
/ democratic rule) the running ex
penses amounted to $l,340,000.
In 1872 Republican rule) the gen
eral revenue fund Currency in the
treasury amounted to SGT. In 1886
democratic rule) il amounts to
| $4I9,6I5.
| In 1878 (republican rule the ex-
penses of the general assembly footed
| up $3.50, 306. In 1883 democratic
rule) these expenses aggregated
| $95, 04O.
| And so on, to the end of the chap
ter. 1t is unnecessary to continue
the totals. There they are, and they
are based on officially ascertained
facts.
! When the democrats regained pos
session of the state in 1874-only
twelve years ago-the state was
bankrupt; the counties we're, for the
most part, mlserably managed, and
i extravaganza, inefficiency and cor
! ruption were visible nearly every
where. The people were taxed real
| ~ beyond their capacity to pay, and
the millions wrung from them were
wasted or stolen. Meanwhile the
| public debt increased. Gross mis-
management pervaded every branch
Of the government, state, county and
municipal
Democratic restoration changed
all this, though at first slow progress
was made. The people recovered
their liberties as freemen and citi-
zens. The authors Of the great
wrongs done them were hurled from
power. Efficiency, economy and
honesty supplanted inefficleLcy
waste and corruption. A new era
dawned. The sun began to shine
again. Useless expenses were re
duced or cut of. The taxes were
lowered. The revenues we're prop
erly applied. The vast volume o.
floating scrip was redeemed and des
|. troyed. Whenever debt could be
paid it was paid. Whenever dollar
could be saved it was saved. When
ever mismanagement could be pre-
vented it was prevented. Whenever
| good work could be done in increas
ed efficiency of administration and
reducing the public burdens it was
done
In brief, this is the record of Ar.
kansas democracy in twelve years
When, or where, has it been equaled
for intelligent, patriotic devotion te
the moral interests OF the peoples
Who can successfully impeach it9
| But this is not all. While largely
reducing the public debt; while sub
stituting good for bad management;
while reducing the state taxes from
over IL to mills. and while restor-
ing public confidence and aiding in
way To rebuild the fortunes OF the
people, democratic management has
not only amply sustained the public
schools, but has also furnised at
heavy expense long needed asylum
for the insane, new asylum for the
blind, greatly enlarged the capacity
of the penltentiary, and made i'm
proyements IN the state house suillc
lent for the public needs for many
years.
The destructive elements whose
record is so hateful to the people,
and whose power for mischief was
destroyed in 1874, have labored long