Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-01-03
Stop THE WASTE.


The matter of assessing taxes is at
tracing the attention Just now of legis-
lators and the people generally. An
amendment of the Constitution upon this
subject will, no doubt, be adopted by the
General Assembly this winter, and sub
mitted to the people.
The schemes presented thus far all aim
to increase the sources of revenue, while
no thought, apparently, is given to pub
| lie expenditures. One dreamer proposes
to levy a special tax upon public officers
another special tax upon professional
men-and so on for quality; but from no
quarter comes a proposition of any de-
scription to throw additional checks
around extravagant expenditures of pub
lie money, or the robbery of the people
by unlawful fees. These are the matters
that require attention-not the providing
of additional facilities for plunder and
waste.
Taxation should be made to bear as
equitably as possible upon all species of
property, and then the Legislature should
provide ample safeguards against extray-
agance and waste by men charged with
the disbursement of public money
These are not provided. If the Con-
gress of the United States had permitted
the affairs of the nation to be conducted
as our Legislatures have those of cOun-
ties, we would have never had occasion
to complain of a surplus. True, the laws
are sufficient, providing the right kind of
men were invariably chosen for office,
but, unfortunately, they are not. We
have had many shining examples of that
fact in this county, and this county is no
worse in that respect than the average of
our counties. Public money has been
treated as though the personal property
of those charged with its disbursement,
to be handed around as they saw fit; and
men who objected were sneered at, and
accused of meddling in other peoples
business! MonstrouS fees have been ex-
torted from people, and if objection was
made the threat of an execution settled
the ObiectOr.
What are the remedies for such state
of affairs under existing laws? In the
first instance, men may club together,
employ counsel, enjoin the payment of
money attempted to be paid unlawfully,
or sue for its recovery after it has been
paid. In the second instance, employ a
lawyer, at an expense, possibly, of sew
eral times the amount extorted, and bring
suit for its recovery. Both are cumber-
some and inadequate, and both impose
needless burdens upon the people. In
stead, the State itself should protect the
people from the lawleSs extravaganza
and rapacity of officers created by the
State. A system of inspection, such as
has SO long prevailed over revenue and
customs officers and pOstmasters, would
enforce respect for law, and relieve the
people from eXtortion. Such inspectors
should be assigned to the various offices,
so that each could thoroughly acquaint
himself with the laws relating to and the
duties of the Office he would be required
to inspect, should be appointed by the
Governor, and should be removed only
for cause. Ample powers should be given
them, and upon satisfactory proof fur
nished, the Governor should have power
to remove the delinquent, or, if the facts
warranted, direct that criminal proceed
ings be instituted.
We believe these suggestions are prac-
tical, and are quite sure if enacted into
law and put into practical operation the
public will be greatly benefited, and in
dividuals who have dealings with county
offices will in many instances be relieved
of great burdens.
A check upon expenditures is needed.
After that is accomplished, the sources
of revenue may be considered and en-
larged.