The Russellville Democrat., 1886-06-23
Before and Since IS74 Dem o. cratic and Republican Rule
 COntrasted.
From the Little Rock c azette.

ctering we print a few facts of spec ial interest to tax payers, and Of general interest to all classes. They furnish comparison between demo cratic and republican administration in Arkansas, and the facts need littlc explanation, as they speak for them selves.
 Republican administration was reckless and improvident. 1t great iy increased the current expenses of tue state government, and piled mil lions on millions in the shape of public debt.
 From 1872 to 1874 the expenses oi the republican state government ag grsgated S2,529,6S6. From 1881 to 1886, under democratic management they amounted to $3S0,000.
 In 1873 (republican rule) the rate of state taxation was F , mills. The rate in 1886 democratic rule) is 1 mills.
 From 1868 to 1874 (republican rule) the state debt was increased $l4,000,000 From 1880 to 1886 (democratic rule) the state debt was decreased $l4,T00,000
 From 1870 to 1871 (republlcan rnle) the state penitentiary cost $24S,600 From 1884 to 1886 (lem ocratic rnle) the state penitentisry netted $S1, ,000 to the state.
 In 1874 (republican rale) the school fund in tue state treasury was $34,000. In 1886 democratic rule ) the school fund in the state treasury amounts to $26I,233.
 From 1873 to 1874 (rcpublican ruie) the salaries of the state execu tive and judicial officers aggregated $2S1, ,S60. From 1884 to 1885 (dem ocratic rule) these salaries amounted to $133,9
 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 $ll0,027.
 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 $10,000.
 From 1868 to 1874 Republican rule) running the state government cost the people $8,5S2,232. From 1880 to l8S6-same length of tune (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 S67. In 1886 democratic rule) it amounts to $4I9,6l5.
 In 1873 (republican rule) the ex- penses ofthe general assembly footed up $360,306. In 1883 (democratic rule) these expenses aggregated $95,O40.
 And so on, to the end of the chap. ter. It is unnecessary to continue the totals. There they arc, and they are based on officially ascertained facts.
 When the democrats regained pos session of the state in lS74-only twelve years ago-the state was bankrupt; the counties were, for the most part, miserably managed, and extravaganza, inefficiency and cor ruption were visible nearly every where. The people were taxed real ly beyond their capacity to pay, ami 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 aud 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 inefliclency, waste and corruption. A now era dawned. The sun began to shine agaln. Useless expenses were re duced or cut of. The taxes were lowered. The revenues were prop erly applied. Tie vast volume Of 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 1t was done
 In brief, this is the record Of Ar kansas democracy in twelve years. When, or where, has it been eqnaled fer intelligent, patriotic devotion to the moral interests of the pcopiei Who can successfully impeach it?
 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 l2 to 4 mills, and while restor- ing pubic confidence and aiding in way to rebuild the fortunes of the people, democratic management has not oaly amply sustained the public schools, but has also furnised al