The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-05-01


the states lien against the Wabash
for the entire amount of that roads
Indebtedness?
FACTS FOR REPUBLICANS TO FACE.
Can any republican face an intelli-
gent audience and hold that the re-
leasing of the Missouri Pacifc's loan
of So, 100000 in the face of the re-
pert of the Legislative committee
made at the same SESSION. that the
road was over twelve millions OF
dollars; or the sale ofthe Iron Noun
tain to the lowest bidder; or the Civ
ing away of the Frisco with over a
million acres of land for the paltry
sum of 1926, 900, was an honest
transaction?
No fair.minded, intelligent Mis-
sourian, whatever his politics, can
go over these records and fail to be
convinced:
First-That the legislator in loan
ing the credit of the state in aid OF
the construction of these railroads
took ample security to protect the
state against the loss of a single dol
lar-security which the republicans
themselves, through their own gov
ernor and legislativecommittee pro-
nounced ample.
Second-That these securities were
corruptly squandered by republican
officials.
Third-That the squandering OF
the securities fastened a direct debt
upon the people of twenty-five
million dollars.
REDUCTION OF THE DEBT.
After the republicans had thus sad
died a direct debt of twenty-five mil
lion dollars upon the people, they
reduced this total, before retiring to
$20,SS9 1000.
This reduction was effected by use
of funds received from che federal
government to reimburse the state
for moneys advanced by Missouri in
the prosecution Of the war, and by
the collection OF military and other
taxes levied directly on the people.
Under the liberalrepublican admin
istration Of Governor Brown, 1871
and u, the debt was increased SS79,'
600.
So when the democrats came into
power in 1873, they found the state
debt to be $21, 76S, 900, bearing six
and seven per cent interest, and the
bonds at discount.
The tax rate during the six years
the republicans were in power aver
aged 60 cents on the 500, and i'll
cluded, besides, during the years o
| 1865 and 1866, a one.dollar revenue
poll tax and two-dollar military
poll tax So whatever reduction the
republicans made in the debt eXclu
sive of the amount received from the
federal government as war indemnity
was taken from the people by the
most excessive and burdensome tax
alton ever known outside the carpet
bag ridden states of the south.
HONEST BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.
The democrats began a reduction
OF the state debt by restoring the
credit Of the commonwealth, which
enabled them to refund the bonds al
a rate of interest practically hall o
what the people were required to pay
under republican management.
In order to tighten the burdens O
the people, the tax was reduced unit
to-day it is only % entsfor all stat,
purposes.
In spite of this reduction nf-mnr
than 80 per cent in the tax rate, TIN
democrats have steadily reduced tn,
debt until to-day it amounts to onl.
5,1SO, S39.
Of this sum, 81 1893, 800 is held il
trust by the state for educationa
purposes, the interest on which goe
annually to the support of our pub
lie schools.
This leaves outstanding bonds t,
the amount Of $7S7 900, every cen
Of which will be paid during the com
ing year.
MONUMENTAL PARTY GALL.
In spite OF this excellent bushes
: showing, the leading republican OF
gan of the state DANGEROUSLY insis
that the democrats have been to-
long in paying the debt.
1t is true it has been a long an
Q weary round for the taxpayers c