The Indiana State sentinel., 1894-08-29
AS no STATE FINANCES.

. As TO STATE FINANCES.
The Journal makes most malignant
and unjustifable attack on Governor
Matthews in connection with his remarks
on state finances in his address before
khe state convention. Governor Mat
rhews stated the simple truth in that
kpeech. The larger portion of the state
debt was created by the republicans and
aheir predecessors, the wings When
Governor Hendricks came into office, in
hs73. the state debt was S4.SSO. SSO.37 He
was the first democratic governor after
the war. The figures given by the au-
ditOr for that year are less than that
amount. but the Journal knows. or ought
To know. that the auditors figures did
not include S712.S521S Of old internal inn
provement bonds. which were. in fact.
paid by Governors Williams, Porter and
Hendricks. Governor Baker referred to
this omission in his message of Jan. 10,
1873. and said they should have been in
cluded There was no increase Of debt
whatever during the administrations OF
Governors Hendricks and Williams.
When Mr.. Porter was inaugurated the
debt stood at S4.S7G.6oS.94
In Porter's administration the contract
ing for necessary public buildings was
begun. and these were all completed and
paid for by democrats The party has
40 apology to make for this work. On the
contrary. II points 10 these buildings as
hhe full value Of all the debt it created.
and to their use TO the state as full COM
pensation for every cent Of interest that
has been paid on that debt. Look at the
list:
Insane hospital at Evansville.
Insane hospital at Richmond.
Insane hospital at Logansport
Insane hospital for women at Indian
spoHs.
Soldiers and sailors orphans home at
Kniehtstown.
shool for feeble-minded children at
IT. Wayne.
New building at institute for the blind.
New building at institute for the deaf
and dumb
New buildings at Purdue university.
New buildings at state university.
Furnishing and equlpping state house
H7O7. 800.
State soldiers and sailors monument.
No question has ever been made as to
khe strict honesty and economy with
which all this work was done. No ques-
don has ever been raised as to its neces-
city. Indeed. a republican supreme court
has said this OF It:
This court has knowledge that the
ietate has been engaged for several years
sn providing public buildings and neOes-
.sary state Institutions. and that unusual
and unforeseen expenditures have been
required calling for appropriations OF
spubhc money. We also take notice that a
public law has been enacted under which
a suitable memorial 10 the valor and
spatriotlsm OF Indiana soldiers Is in pro-
cess OF erection at the capital OF the
state. All these are subjects which per-
tain TO the public welfare Of the people.
CIovey. governor. VS.. Foster; 1iS Ind,
602)
The democratic party did build all
these noble structures. and II Is proud
OF them. II also is proud Of the new tax
law and the gradual payment Of our pub
sic debt under it. II is not true. as stated
by the Journal, that "the money (used in
paying debit came out of the pockets OF
the people" 1t came out Of the corpora
tions that had been escaping just taxa
tion under republican rule. The total In
crease Of state taxes under that law was
81. .O69. 1928. The increase OF railroad
taxes alone the first year was 1887 ,2O3. 2s.
The increase Of taxes OF other corpora
tions that came before the state board Of
tax commissioners was $41. 1.9i4.O5. And
the increases by county boards OF review
much more than covered the balance
There are still few corporations that
have not been brought up to the common
devel. but they are being placed there
year by year. and Il is now commonly
conceded that this tax law Is the fslrest
and most equitable that was ever enacted
in the union 1t is a magnificent show
ing. a glorious history OF legislation"
and the people Of Indiana will hardly
consent to the present republican de-
mand for its removal from our system
OF government.