The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-07-21
hore and Since 1374-Demo-
cratic and Republican RHlc
COntrastcd.

II 0Ut&tA 0ctG4s
+ I'M the Little Rock Gazette.
Republican administration was
ykIess and improvident. 1t great
Increased tue current expenses of
! state government, and piled mil
as on millions in the shape Of
bile debt.
From 1872 to 1874 the expenses OF
republican state government az
agated $2,5z9,6S6. From 1884 TO
SO, under democratic management
ey amounted to $3S0,000
In 1873 Republican rule) the rate
state taxation was IL 5 mills. The
tie in 1856 democratic rule) is a
ills.
From 1868 to 1874 Republican
le) the state debt was increased
10000 From 1880 to 1886
democratic rule) the state debt was
screased Sl4, 100000.
From 1870 to 1879 trepubhcan
ile) the state penitentiary cost
24S,600. From 1884 TO 1886 (den
cratic rule) the state penitentiarS
cited SSl, 900 TO the state.
In 1874 Republican rule) the
;hool fund in the state treasury was
$4,000. In 1886 democratic rule
re school fund in the state treasury
mounts to 1921 ,233.
From 1873 To 1874 (republican
nle) the salaries of the state execu
i've and judicial officers aggregated
.2Sl, 500. From 1884 TO 1885 (dem.
cratic rule) these salaries amounted
o $133, 900.
From 1872 to 1874 (republican
tule) the state land Office cost the
tate $5l,675. From 1884 to 1886
democratic rule) the receipts of the
tate land office exceeded the expens
IS $lI0,027.
From 1872 to 1874 (republicar
tule) the secretary Of states offiet
sost the tax payers $26,l25. From
1884 to 1886 democratic rule) the
receipts (partly estimated above ex
oenses foot up $4,000.
From 1868 to 1874 republican
rule) running the state governmeLl
cost the people $S,5s2,232. From
1880 to ISS6--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 Tho
treasury amounted to $67. In 1885,
{ democratic rule) it amounts t.
$4l9,6I5.
In 1873 Republican rule the ex
'penses OF the general assembly footet
mp $3G0,306. In 1883 democrats
|rnle) these expenses aggregated
$95, GAO.
And so on, to the end Of the chap
ter. 1t is unnecessary to continu
the totals. There they are, and the.
are based on officially ascertaine'
facts.
When the democrats regained pos
session of the state in lS74-onl,
twelve years ago-the state wa
bankrupt; the counties we're, for TIL
most part, miserabIy managed, AM
extravaganza, inefiiciency and cor
ruption were visible nearly every
where. The people were taxed real
81 beyond their capacity to pay, ant
the millions wrung from them wer
wasted or stolen. Meanwhile TIL
public debt increased. Gross mis-
management pervaded every brancl
Of the government, state, county ant
municipal.
Democratic restoration changed
all this, though mt first slow progrcs
Was made. The people recoyere,
their liberties as freemen and citi
zens. The authors of the grea
wrongs done them we're hurled iron
power. Efficiency, economy AM
honesty supplanted lneflicleLcy
waste and corruption. A new pr
tlawned. The sun began To shin
again. Useless expenses were re
duced or cut Of. The taxes wer
lowered. The revenues we're prop
crly applied. The vast volume O
floating scrip was redeemed and des
troyed. Whenever a debt could b
paid it was paid. Whenever dolla
could be saved it was saved. When
ever Encouragement could be pre-
vented it was prevented. Wheneve
good work could be done in increas
ed efficiency of administration an
reducing the public burdens it wa
done
In brief, this Is the record OF Al
kansas democracy in twelve years
When, or where, has it been equsle,
ferslntelligent, patriotic devotion t
the moral interests of the people
Who can successfully impcach il?
But this is not all. While larccl
reducing the public debt, while sui
shutting good for bad management
while reducing the state taxes iron
over IL to A mills, and while restol
ing public confidence and aiding i
way 10 rebuild the fortunes of TIL
people, democratic management la
not only amply sustained the publ
schools, but has also furn;sed a
heavy expense long needed asylur
for the insane, a new asylum Tor th
blind, greatly enlarged the capacit
OF the penltentiary, and made i'm
provements III the state house suiliC