The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-07-28
Before and Since 7S74-Dcmo-
cratic and Republican Rule
COntrasted.


reckless and improvidcnt. IL great
iy increased the current expenses Of
the state government, and piled mil
lions on millions IN the shape OF
public debt.
From 1872 to 1874 the expenses OF
the republican state government ag-
gregated $2,529,6S From 1884 to
1886, under democratic management
they amounted to $3S0,000.
In 1873 (republican rule) the rate
Of state taxation was IL mills. The
rate in 1886 democratic rule) is 4
mills.
From 1868 to 1874 (rcpublicsn
rule) the state debt was increased
$l4,000,000 From 1880 to 1886
democratic rule) the state debt was
decreased l4,700,00O
From 1870 to 1871 {ropubIcan
rnle) the state penitentiary cost
$24S,G00. From 1884 to 1886 (dem
ocratic rule) the state penitentiary
Noted $8l, 900 10 the state.
In 1874 (republican rale) the
school fund in the state treasury was
$4,000. In 1886 democratic rule
the school fund in the state treasury
amounts to S26I, 233.
From 1878 to 1874 Republican
ruIe) the salaries of the state execu
tive and judicial officers aggregated
1921, 800 From 1884 to 1885 (dem.
ocratic rule these salaries amounted
to $133,900.
From 1872 to 1874 Republican
fulc) the state land Office cost the
state $51,675. From 1884 to 1886
democratic rule the receipts OF the
state land Office exceeded the expens
cs $l10,027.
From 1872 to 1874 Republican
rule the secretary Of states office
cost the tax payers S26,125. 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 $S,5S2,232. From
1880 to 18S6--same length Of time
democratic rule) the running ex
penscs amounted to 81 100000.
In 1872 republican rnle) the gen
eral revenue fund Currency in the
treasury amounted to SGT. In 1886
democratic rule) it amounts to
$4l9,6l5.
In 1878 Republican rule) the ex
penses Of The general assembly footed
up $360,306. In 1883 democratic
rule) these expenses aggregated
sos, 040.
And so ON, to the end of the chap
ter. II is unnecessary to continue
s the totals. There they are, and they
are based on officially ascertaineo
& facts.
When the democrats regained pos
session of the state in l874-oniy
twelve years ago-the state was
bankrupt; the counties we're, FOR ths
most part, mlserably managed, ane
extravaganza, inetllciency and cor
ruption we're visible nearly every
where. The people were taxed real
~ beyond their capacity to pay, ant
the millions wruug from them wer,
wasted or stolen. Meanwhile Til,
public debt Increased. Gross mis-
management pervaded every brancl
Of tho government, state, county ant
municipal.
Democratic restoration changed
|. al this, though at first slow progress
was made. The people recoveres
their liberties as freemen and citi
zens. The authors Of the grea
wrongs done them were hurled from
power. Efficiency, economy ant
honesty supplantcd lncfIieieLcy
waste and corruption. A new ,r'
tlawned The sun began to shin
again. Useless expenses were re
duced or cut off. The taxes wer
lowered. The revenues we're prop
ely applied. The vast volume 0
iIoating scrip was redeemed and DIES
troyed. Whenever a debt could b
paid it was paid. Whenever dolla
could be saved ii was saved. When
ever mismanagement could be pre-
vented it was prevented. Wheneve
good work could be done in increas
ed efficiency Of administration AM
reducing the public burdens it wa
done.
In brief, this is the record OF Ar
kansas democracy in twelve years
When. or where, has it been cquale,
for intelligent, patriotic devotion L
the moral interests OF the people
Who can successfully impcach IL?
But this is not all. While largel,
reducing the public debt; while sub
stitnting good for bad management
while reducing the state taxes from
over p u A mills. and while restor
Ing public confidence and aiding il
way 70 rebuild the fortunes OF TIN
people, democratic management ha
not only amply sustained the publi
schools, but has also furnised a
heavy expense long needed asylum
for the insane, new asylum for tn
blind, greatly enlarged the capacit'
Of the penitentiary, and made i'm
provements IN the state house suiiic
lent for the public needs for man,
years.
The destructive elements who's
record Is so hateful to the people