Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-08-02

| But such Is nevertheless a fact; and
there is a like difference in the tax
levy of 1890 and the levy of 1894 in
every county of the state The reduc-
ton bears out the statement made IN
this paper two weeks ago, that the
sentiment of the Democratic party OF
| Wisconsin-rank and lile-has been
for an economical and business like
administration of state affairs. The
records show that since the Democrats
came into power in Wisconsin, nearly
four years ago, the state has had this
kind of an administration. The &C
cumulation in the general fund of
over three quarters Of million dollars
Is proof of the assertion. When the
Democratic officials took control, in
January, 1891, they found the general
fund exhausted. We quote from Gov
crnor Peck's first message to the legis-
lature:
"The last report Of the secretary of
state showed balance in the treasury
to the credit of the general fund, on
the 3Oth of September last, of
$345, S95.03. On the 9th of January,
ut noon, when the administration was
changed, there was turned over to the
incoming state treasurer, as the bal
ance of the general fund, the sum Of
1923, 599.32, appearing upon the books
of the outgoing treasurer. In point
of fact, however, the general fund of
the state was more than exhausted.
At that very moment, warrants upon
that fund to the amount of $36,O96.S7
had been drawn by the outgoing sec
rotary of state, Of which those for the
sum of $35 ,642.08 had been actually
signed on the morning of the 9th of
January, and but very short time
before the transfer of the offices to the
in. coming administration. Besides
these warrants, II large number OF I'M
paid obligations, immediately due and
entitled to discharge, and for which
warrants should have already been is
sued, remained unaudited by the retir-
ing secretary OF state, and the addi-
tional sum of $28,984.44 has been
necessarily audited by the present
secretary, and warrants drawn there
for upon general funds. In the
meantime this fund had no consider
able receipts and can expect none OF
substantial amount until about the
middle of February. In this condi-
ton of things the creditors of the
state are either obliged to wait, or the
treasurer is put to the risk, in order to
protect the credit of the state, OF EN-
ploying other funds in his custody to
discharge warrants drawn upon the
general fund 1t needs not to be said
that such u condition. of affairs ought
not to be encountered. The annual
revenues accruing to the general fund
are sufficient to discharge all the an
nual obligations imposed upon 1t un,
less unwarrantable and extrayagant
appropriations be made"
The Democrats of Wisconsin may
we'll invite a comparison of Republic
can and Democratic records. The IA
vorable showing made by the
Democratic officials is the result o,
the carrying out of the pledges made
to the people In the platforms of fou
and two years ago. The search light
which were thrown upon the stat
records revealed the fact of eXtrava
gancc, and the violation of laws pass
ed to compel the covering into tn
treasury of interest on public funds
Republican leaders, instead of con
, dcmning, defended such practices; bu
4 many independent Republicans cas-
their votes for Democratic candidate
= in hope of securing reform. In tn
+ light of the history of the manag,
q mcnt of the state finances during tn
t past four years, and of the recent 0,
!. der for the state tax levy for lS9.
o which Is three quarters of II millio
q dollars less than the tax levy Of 1891
s the last year of Republican admins
% tration, can any one, no matter no
It partisan he may be, claim that Il
II confidence of these independent II
|. publican voters was misplaced?
A. In former campaigns, Republica
At state officials visited this and oth'
Of sections of the state, In the role
lie stump speakers, to tell the people tn;
n 1t would be unsafe to trust the Dem
IS cratic party with the control of sta
", or national affairs, and for years tn
he kept themselves in power. Mon
m was layishly furnished to eampaigne
10 in every section of the state. Dem
Of Gratis, who were compelled to hus,
Of around and collect from fifty cents
er twenty-five cents apiece from fellc
nv democrats to meet the expenses Of