The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-08-18
Before and Since 1S74-DemO'
cratic and Republican Rule
Contrasted.
From the Lice Rock eazctte.

~ 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 az
grcgated $2,529,6S6. From 1884 TO
1886, under democratic management
they amounted to $3S0,000.
In 1873 republican rule) the rate
rate in 1886 democratic rule) is 4
mills.
From 1868 to 1874 (republican
rule) the state debt was increased
$I4,000,000 From 1880 to 1886
democratic rule) the state debt was
decreased $I4, 100000.
From 1870 to 1871 (repubhcan
rule) the state penitentiary cost
$24S,G From 1884 to 1856 (dem
ocratic rulc) the state penitentiary
Melted SSl, 200 TO the state.
In 1874 (republican rule) the
school fund in the state treasury was
$4,000 In 1856 democratic rule J
the school fund in the state treasury
amounts to $26l,2 33
From 1873 to 1874 Republican
rule) the salaries of the state execu
tive and judicial officers aggregated
1921, $50. From 1884 to 1885 (dem-
ocratic rule) these salaries amounted
to $133, 900.
From 1872 to 1874 Republican
rule) 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,O27.
From 1872 to 1874 Republican
rule the secretary Of states office
cost the tax payers $26,l25. From
1884 to 1886 democratic rule) the
receipts (partly estimated)a bove 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 1SS6-same length of time
democratic rule) the running ex
penses amounted to Sl,340,000.
In 1872 Republican rnIe) the gen
eral revenue fund currency in the
treasury amounted to SGT. In 1886
democratic rule) it amounts to
$4I9,6I5.
In 1873 Republican rule the ex-
penses of the general assembly footed
up $360,306. In 1883 democratic
rule) these expenses aggregated
$95,040
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 1S74-only
twelve years ago-the state was
bankrupt; the counties were, for the
most part, miserably managed, and
extravaganza, inefiiciency and cor
ruption were visible nearly every,
where. The people were taxed real
ly beyond their capacity to pay, and
the millions wrung from them were
wasted or stolen. Meanwhile the
public debt increased. Gross mis-
management pervadcd 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 frcemen and citi
zens. The authors of the great
wrongs done them were hurled from
power. Efficiency, economy and
honesty supplanted lnefiicleLcy,
waste and corruption. A new era
dawned. The sun began to shine
again. Useless expenses were re
duced or cut off The taxes were
lowered. The revenues we're prop
erly applied. The vast volume OF
floating scrip was redeemed and DIES
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-
cd 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 to
the moral interests OF the people?
Who can successfully impeach it?
But this Is not all. While largely
reducing the public debt; while sub
shutting good for bad management;
while reducing the state taxes from
over IL to A 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 pcnitentiary, and made i'm
provements IN the state house suilic-
lent for the public needs for many
years.
The destructive elements whose
record is so hateful to the people,