The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-10-06
tWilmingtCn Messenger.

tWilmingtCn Messenger.
The Messenger last week had some
thing to say of heavy. oppressive
taxes and the needless high expeudi-
lures in municipal, State. and Federal
governments. The rigid economy
and high sense of responsibility Of
the fathers prior to the war have
taken wings. The public expenses
are like the hotel charges. Before
the great war the finest hotels in the
great cities charged s. a day. The
war got the prices up and they have
never come down. The charges are
from s. to perhaps $40 day. The
expenditures Of Governments of all
kinds have increased at as much
more rapid rate than the population
has increased. The war sent up the
cost of Government, and for thirty
odd years it has rapidly multiplied
and against all reason, all Justice. all
necessity. While the population Of
our country has increased - times,
the public expenditures of the Federal
government have increased about
seven times, and with steady up
ward tendency. The Republicans
are mainly responsible for the rob
berry and oppression of the people.
1t is very strange that the taxpayers
give SO little attention to eNpendi-
lures of officials and the great sums
taken from them each year unncces-
sarily. unwisely, unjustly and even
unconstitutionally.
Let us come to North Carolina.
The public expenses of the pen
itentiary, in which so many of
Russell's "savages" are entertained
at the public expense, have been
higher latterly. under the Russell
misrulc than under the Democrats.
The statement is this as published in
the Raleigh NeWs- Observer of last
Saturday:
UNDER DEMOCRATS.
Wages and Salaries ~. S4S. .7O4.5S
Mileage and per diem .... 2,435. 60
Total ........... $5l,l40.27
UNDER FUSION.
Wages and Salaries. ... $57, ,619.95
Mileage and per diem ... $1,000
Total ........... ..... T6o, S4.93
Difference in favor of Democrat :
in two items of expense $9.644.6S or
1872 bales of cotton at Mckinley gold
standard prices.
This reveals to the public why the
fellows in charge did wish to show
the books and let the tax payers and
honest people know what was
going on under the ruinious rule Of
rabid Russell and his gang.
The expenditures in the legislature
show how black radicaliSm burden
and rob the patient, oppressed
toilers and taxpayers. Remember
that the Populist taxpayer. or the
Republican taxpayer, of what ever
race or color, must bear his part of
the unnecessary, ravenous increase.
Here are the figures:
The following figures will show the
cost between the State administra-
ton under Democratic rule and the
extravagance that prevails when the
Republicans are in control:
COST OF LEGISLATURE.
1891 Democratic rule *63, ,Ols.Ol
1898 Democratic rule w Gj, go. rs
Two Dem legislatures 1928, ,994.79
1896 Fusion rule .........7 ~, 22G. a
1907 Ensinp r,la IN TED =
Two Fusion legislatures 1888. .O27. 4S
The two sessions of the fusion legis-
lature cost *i.O32.7O more than the
two preceding Democratic sessions.
As with the penitentiary and the
legislative branch Of the state gov
ernment so with other departments, :,
penditures and consequent adj
dition to the taxpayers burdens.
The more money squandered and
wrcsted from the submissive tax
payer, the less money he has for him
self and family, the fewer luxurics or
necessaries of life. and the less for
indulgence in pleasure, holidays,
Iaunts, etc.
COST OF STATE GOVERNMENT.
1891 Democratic rule Sl.179, 734.SS
1898 Democratic rule 1919, GIS. 10
Two wears Dem rule s., 499, All. 50
1895 Fusion rule $1,000, 81 ,349, 335. 90
1897 Fusion rule c. 1861 ,OiS. 20
Two years Fusion rule S2,7l3, 1854
The two years Of Republican rule
cost the tax payers *213,93S-96 more
than the last two years of Demo
cratic rule.
Taxpayer ought to look at these
figures for they mean much to him.
In ten years, il by the curse Of
heaven black radicalism should reign
in sin and madness and folly and
abuse for ten years instead Of two
wears, than the increase at the ratio
OF the above two years would az
gregate 81. 900, ,O26.OO and this huge
sum would come out Of the hard
earnings of the bread winners in the
race for life. Ten sessions OF fusion
legislatures would heep up burdens
amounting to more than $4,000
above what Democratic sessions cost.
Think on these things. 1t is not a
hard question to answer which OF
these parties it is safer to entrust
with the public affairs of North Caro-
lima. Can you hesitate to choose as
to which has proved by actions to be
safer better more trust worthy
Will you hesitate for a moment as be-
tween the White Mans party and
hagtrant ruinous black radicalism
If you make Jour bed hard so you
must lie