The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-03-25
REFORM

Inc record or the ldSG TWO anti
Democratic Legislatures should be
sufficient evidence to convince every
fair-minded, unprotected person
that the affairs of State are far safer
and are more economically admins
tered when the tried and true Democ-
racy is at the helm.
While the Democrats were in power,
it appears that a large number of
the voters failed to appreciate the
benefits which they enjoyed and
spirit of discomfort was tanned by
cunning politicians, who cried Justify
and long, "Reforml Reform Re-
formll!'
They said if the Democrats were
turned out and they we're put in
there should be reduction of expen-
ditures, salaries should be cut down
to level with the low prices the
farmer receives for his products, etc.
We have at hand an article from
the Chatham Record, which gives
some intimation of how we'll the Sc
so-called reformer- kept their pledges.
The Record says:
$50 extravagant was the Legisla-
ture that Treasurer Worth felt it his
ton to that body explaining the con-
dition of the States finances and
begging our legislators ito BEWARE"
II ho
the last two years had been $780,
4l2 81 lover a quarter OF million
dollars In excess OF the receipts, and
that the bills adopted and under
consideration by this Legislature ap-
propriated 1923 900 year addi-
tiOnal!
Now, this is no Democratic lie"
but is the official statement of the
State Treasurer, who was elected by
the Republicans and Populists. 1t
really seems incredible. When the
Record and other Democratic papers
denounced the famous "reform"
Legislature of 1895 for it's extrava-
gance the ''fusion" papers and
speakers denied the charge, and said
it was a democratic lie." But now
here is the official statement OF
Treasurer Worth showing that it
was not a Dem Ocratic lie" but the
simple truth. Yes, Treasurer Worth
fficially states that our so-called
''refOrmers"-Who promised such
economy-expended in the past two
years over a quarter of million
dollars more than was received for
taxes. And not only that, he also
states that the Legislature of 1897
has done even worse-has increased
this extravagant expenditure over a
hundred Thousand dollars a yearl
Such is the retrenchment practiced
by our "reform" legislators. We
ask honest taxpayers if this is the
| sort of retrenchment they wish ?
Was it for this that former Demo-
Gratis abandoned their old party ?
How long, oh! how long before our
people will realize whittier they are
drifting?"
Along the same line, the States
vile Landmark has the following:
"The Legislature of two years ago
the first reform Legislature, spent
more money than any of it's Demo.
cratic predecessors, and the last one
has followed in it's footsteps. The
| expenses Of the last session were
about $72, 500, very near the same
as that of it's predecessor. Taxes
| were increased, appropriations were
increased, salaries were increased and
new and unnecessary salaried offices
| created.
The Speaker of the House tried to
draw pay twice-$6 per day to
which he was legitimately entitled as
Speaker and 81 per day as mem
Der of the Legislature from Cabarrus
| county.
The salary of the Attorney-Gen
| erals clerk was increased from $500
to 5000 and the salary of the chic
| clerk to the State Auditor from
81 900 to So, 500
Some of the members of the Logis
lature who were appointed members
| of State boards attended meetings o
these boards in Raleigh after the ad-
| journment of the Legislature and
before they went home, and drew
mileage to and from home as mem
bers of these boards in addition tC
the mileage TO and from home as
| memb rs of the Legislature.
| These are only d few OF many in
| stances.
Great is reforml
l =