Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-10-18

''CaSh on hand, March /, 1894
$372.28," say the city authorities. We
ask a rightful question when we in
quire, how did they arrive at these
| figures? Was it by the usual process
so many dollars received during the
| year from all sources; so many dol.
of the latter from the former, leaving
balance of $372.2S? They say all
| the records in the hands of the secre-
| tary were destroyed, and for that reas-
| on the current financial statement
| could not be made. Then where were
the records from which to determine
that balance in the treasury, even to
the odd cents? Now, we don't ask
these questions in a captiOus spirit, but
because we want to know, and because
the public has a right to know all
about it. The power to determine a
definite balance in the treasury at the
close of the years business presup-
poses the data from which to make
definite financial exhibit. The law
requires the exhibit to be made public,
and fixes a penalty for failure to COM
ply with its commands. Is it unreas-
enable in us to demand on behalf of
the taxpayers that information which
should have been freely and voluntari-
ly proffered? 1t mast be vouchsafed,
sooner or later, and should be given at
once. No amount of personal abuse
and vituperation can wipe out the
reasOnableness of the demand, nor
will they prevent it's preferment from
time to time until the proper showing
be publicly made.
The Democratic Primary held in this
county was perfectly fair. The party,
after a full consideration, placed a tick
ct in the field that should be elected by
the usual majority. One of the funda-
mental principles of Democracy is sub
mission to the fairly expressed will OF
the majority, whether it be in the
county, state or nation, and whether it
be party primary or a general cleo
ton. The decision of the party has
been given in this county, and there is
no suspicion of fraud or unfairness con-
nected with it. There is but one thing
for Democrats to do, and that is to sup
port the whole ticket that the party
has placed in the field. Party is found
ed upon principle, and principle is
above everything else in politics. The
principles of a party are the breath OF
its life. They give energy to its Or
ganization, and where they are disre-
garded decay must overtake it. But
organization is equally Indispensable.
Success of any kind cannot be expected
without organization, either in party or
other affairs of life. The county and
township organization lies at the foun-
dation of the state and national organ
ization. If it is necessary that there
should be party organization in order
that the principles of the party may be
carried into operation, the plain duty
of every Democrat is to see that the
foundations of the party are kept solid.
If he really desires to see its principles
carried out, he must see to his home
organization. Let every Democrat
lay aside every grain of personal feel
ing, bury the bitterness engendered
by the heat of a warm local fight, and
go to work for the party in this county.
in order that disintegration may not
commence with US. Local tickets OF
the party are no more questions OF
men than national tickets; the men re-
present principle for which all DEM
ocrats are prepared to make sacrifices.
Close the ranks and present a solid
front to the enemy in this county!
Questions that have arisen inside the
party will keep until the next primary.