Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-11-01
DEMOCRATIC 9
The Purity Of State Government Under
Democratic Rule as Compared
When Republicans Were
in Fall Power.

!. AofCAoeA AAAEfICdu AbtIby anu dSoul
ances of duty well done on the part
the greatest Democratic State in tn
Union.
1t is a matter of congratulate
and pride to every Missouri Democra
that one hundred years from the da
of the election of the first Democrati
President our proud Commonwealth
made a part Of the American Reput
lie through the wisdom and states
manship OF a Democratic executive
should to-day be the greatest Demo
cratic State in the Union.
There is inspiration for Democrat
in the fact that the party in its cen
tennial year presents as its candidat
for President a second Thomas Jeffer
ferson-a plain, honest man of tn
people, in whose hands the welfare O
the republic will be sacredly guarded
In the contest which is to be deter
mined on the 9th of next month Their
is no doubt as to where Missouri vii
stand.
The efforts Of a vicious and unscru
pulous partisan press to defame thi
State will receive a crushing and fit
ting rebuke at the hands of loyal Mis-
sourians.
The Republican party leaders invit
ed a comparison OF party records ii
Missouri. The Democrats gladly wei
coined this issue.
For six years the Republicans wert
in absolute control OF all department.
of the Missouri State Government
During that time the public records
disclose a reign Of reckless extraya'
gance and unbridled corruption IN
parallel in any state in the Union,
excepting only the carpet-bag rule in
the south during the dark days of
reconstruction.
A bonded debt Of more than $780,
0O0, 600, for which the State was
amply secured, was fastened upon the
people in order that a few political
~favorites might amass fortunes.
Not one dollar of the so, 900, 900 debt
which the Democracy found on re-
gaining control in the State would
have existed had there been honesty
and business care exercised on the
part of those in control of our State
from 1854 to 1870.
Such was the extravaganza in public
expenditures that even the school
moneys annually contributed by the
people were used to defray the 4
penses of the State government
The Constitution required that not
less than one-fourth of the ordinary
receipts into the State Revenue Fund
be set apart for the public schools.
Not one dollar of this tax went to the
public schools during the years 1865,
1865, 1851, 1858 and 1853.
The securities Of the public school
fund, the stock Of the State Bank Of
Missouri, were sold at a loss TO the
schools OF nearly $500, 900 in order that
a political favorite might control the
State Bank.
The securities held by the State to
indemnity II against loss on account
Of its aid to the railroads were squan.
dered and the credit OF the State 50
impaired that during the entire Re
publican rule Missouri State bonds
we're at a humiliating discount.
The expenditures Of the Legislative
and other State departments were
matters Of public scandal and resulted
ir driving the Republican party from
power in disgrace.
Taxes were double what they are to-
day, and such was the favoritism
shown that the railroads did not pay
one dollar Of taxes into the State
Treasury during Republican control.
In gratifying contrast to this rule
Of disorder aud dishonesty, we invite
inspection of the practical business
methods, the economy and the integ-
rity which have characterized the
management Of our State affairs since
Governor Silas Woodson's administra-
tion In 1875.
Our State bonded debt has been re-
duced to less than g, 600, 900, the rate
Of interest reduced from six to three
and one-half per cent, and our State
bonds raised from a heavy discount to
a handsome premium.
This has not been done by an in
crease in taxation, but on the contrary
State taxes have been reduced fifty
per cent
The public school and seminary
which by wise business man
agement have been increased tonearly
four and one-haf million dollars, are
held in trust as q sacred obligation.
The interest on these funds, amount
Ing annually to $4,000, which for
merry vent to the b~ondholders, is now
paid to the school districts of our State
md the State University. In addi-
ion, one-third of all our State reve-
Tue, amounting this year to $500, 900,
'oes annually TO the support Of our
schools, making a total OIL
1ore than one million d0llaB which
ur State now sets apart annually for
nblic education out Of the revenue
reduced by the lowest tax rate leyied
! any state in the Union.
Before the close Of the next State
ADMINISTRATION our entire financial
litigation, excepting the fund held in
ust for the schools, will have been
iPed out and the State tax, which is
~ % cents on the one hundred dol +,
rs can be still further reduced to Is !
+ /
foress excellent business showing is a
answer to the sIanderous !.
made in tttacks which have been !
monwealth anpaign upon our conn.,
The fight, 50 ia
eerhed, has been ma AAsoun Is con- /
our party has preza won :
state honest capable, IN this
dates ff public favor. m eandi-
mas a night 10 feel, and does ~ saelle .
the interests Of the State and TIE ~
tereas Of our people win bessie uDaa1
Democratic control
Aa lifting rebuke 10 the eampaigu
OF slanderous abuse which has been