The Republican journal., 1904-08-25

the Washington County railroads had
not been constructed, and under their
charters IS per cent at the State tax as
sessed upon them is abated, making an
apparent expenditure of $32,6S3.52 on
that account in 1908.
In 1881 there was no tax upon dOgs:'
in 1903 there passed through the State
treasury to the towns $32.66l.25 ON this
account.
forest fires; in 1903 $4,000 was used for
that purpose.
sin 1881 nothing was expended to pre-
vent the ravages of epidemics; in 1903
the expenditure was $13,624.5o.
In 1891 the Worlds Columbian Expo
sitton called for an outlay of $4,000: in
1903 the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
called for payment of $4,000
Here, then. in these nine last-named
items, were expenditures in 1908 Of $780,
5S4.64 (some of it merely apparent. a
matter of bookkeeping) offset in 1891 by
expenditures of $73,919.23, accounting
for $206. 1854 of the $215 5S9O5. The ball
ance of ss,913.64 may probably safely be
left for the natural and legitimate ex-
pansion of the affairs of the State in
other directions
It is said that salaries and expenses Of
State officials have been increased
kept pace with the growth of the busi-
ness Of the State by any means.
In 1881 the fees received by the State
from the formation of new corporations
amounted to $20,s45; in 1908 they
amounted to $86075
In 1881 there was no franchise tax on
corporations; in 1903 the income Of the
state from this source was $59,665.
IN 1881 the tax on railroads was $101,-
oos.15; In 1903 it was 1854. 962.S7.
In 1881 the taxes received from insur-
ance companies were $27,351. O6; in 1903
they amounted to s89,933S1.
IN 1881 the receipts from the tax on
savings banks were $347, 1854; in 1903
they were $685., O46.5s
In 1881 the tax on telephone compan-
les amounted to $2,059.S7; in 1903 it was
s19.6S7S1.
In 1891 there was no tax on banking
and trust companies; in 1903 they paid
$S7,174.O2.
In 1891 the fees received by the in
surance commissioner and turned into
the state treasury were $4,000; in 1903
they were s1697Ooo.
In 1881 the fees received by the Sec
rotary of State and turned into the
$6,576.06.
In 1891 the total transactions Of the
State treasury. receipts and disburse-
ments, were s3,450, 044.11; in 1903, $4,901,
902.16.
And these enlarged figures mean in
almost every instance added care and
labor in the State departments. II it
cost more to do the States business to-
day than in 1891 is it indication of off,
gal neglect, extravaganza, or rapacity?
Could the expenses of a manufacturer
or merchant. whose business exhibited
like expansion, be held stationary?
But the figures that stood still, that
were the same in 1891 and in 1903 are the
figures of the State tax rate; not a frac-
ton more in the one year than in the
other; two and three-fourths mills in
1891 and two and three-fourths mills in
1903. We are making the same contribu-
ton to-day from each dollar of our prop
erty to maintain our State government,
that we made In 1891
Our increased expenditures, however,
are giving the 100000 children of our
common schools more than we were able
to give them in 1891; they are reaching
into the remotest regions of the State
and bringing the light of knowledge to
hundreds of boys and girls that we neg
lected decade ago; they are touching
deeper the unfortunate wayward in our
State School for Boys and our Industrial
School for Girls; making brighter the
somber lives of our deaf. dumb and
blind; allayipg the suffering and carry
ing renewed health to the hundreds in
our widely scattered hospitals; comfort
ing the declining years of many who
fought our battles for us; lifting the
clouds from the brain or insuEing enlight-
ened trea tment of the insane; fostering
with freer hand the interests of agricul
ture; giving higher education and equal
advantages in our academies, normal
schools and State College to the youth
of humble homes; sending libraries to
our firesides, and building better roads
at our doors.
And this at the expense of those of our
citizens who are the most able to pay
for it; at least, that has been the design
of the legislation that in 1868 relieved
two hundred and ffty-four (25D of our
towns and plantations with a population
of one hundred sixty-siX thousand eight
hundred sixty-two Q6S,S62) from the
payment of one cent into the treasury
Of the State; in other words, the sum re-
mitted to them from the school funds
exceeded the amount assessed upon
them by the State-one hundred ninety
eight G9S) of these municipalities hav-
ing a population of less than one thou
sand 100O each, evidence that the state
ute is working to the benefit of the weak.
The ascendency of the republican par