Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-02-13


including visible and tsngable property of all kinds
is estimated to be $1O6 O0O 100000. Therefore the
people OF this country spent for government alone
1.67 per cent. of their aggregative wealth In 1902
Estimating the population at 80,00O,O00, the cost
per capita was $29.16. The internal commerce Of
the United States is approximately $25, 600 OOO OOO
Ihe expenditures for NATIONAL state and local gov
ernment in 1902 equaed per cent. Of the nations
domestic commerce The value OF the railroads OF
the United States, is about $4,000, 100000. In
seven years the people OF this country expended
Tor government sum equal to the value OF all their
transportation lines. They pay annually more than
enough in taxes-federal state and local-to pro-
vide cash capital for billion and a-haf steel
trust. The amount which they turn in every year
into the treasures Of the federal government and
their state and local governments would pay off the
bonded Indebtedness of the nation and leave cash
balance OF $773 100000. This balance wonld, if
devoted to naval construction, give the United
States fleet of seventyseven batteships OF the
Dreadnaut type, the cost Of each vessel being 80,
1000, according to the estimations of the govern
ment experts.
The people OF this country are firmly attached to
their present form of government. They are spend
ing about ST. 00O O0O 600 annually for their state
and local administrations, while keeping the ma
tiOnal government abandantly supplied with funds
to be used for distnctivey national purposes That
the annual expenditure for state and local govern
ment has reached the high water mark is open to
doubt. The city Of New York, fer example, is
steadily enlarging it's expenditures. Ite annual
budget has reached the enormous of $11O, ,O0O,-
600 year, or more than 10 per cent of the entire
amount spent by the people OF the United States for
state and local government. Yet the population Of
New York is only about per cent. OF the popula-
tiOE Of the nation There s no indication that the
city will reduce its expenses as long 1t pays $780,,
100000 annually for one item alOne-salaries and
wages. What is true Of New York is true Of Phila-
delphia and other cities where government is in the
hands of political machines and s administered
more for their benefit than for the good Of the
munity and with the purpose of imposing no unjust
burdens upon taxpayers
The enormous sum which is spent in this COun-
try upon Etate and local government may be con
sidered in one sense an evidence Of general pros.
perity Assuming that there are 49, 00O, 600 voters
in the United States, the amount per capita which
each would contribute, II all we're assessed for an
equal share Of the expenditures for the state and
local government, would be go. Taxes are not
levied upon his principle, however The census
bureaus bulletin indicates that the property owner
and business man are the largest contributors to
the public treasury, the amount of taxes which they
paid in 1902 being respectively $7O6, 100000 and
@62, ,OOO, 600. OF course, every intelligent man,
whatever may be the amount Of his taxes, however
small they may be- feels deep interest in his local
government. He suffers as much In proportion
from extravaganza in administration and expensive
tax rate as does his neignbOr who pays taxes upon
more property. His tax bill Is smaller but in
directly be is compelled to pay additional taxes in
higher rents and in other ways.
While the people Of this country may feel some
pride in their ability to pay $1,000, 100000 year
for state and local government, they may, upon
searching examination, find that they are spending
larger sum than is necessary for the maintenance
OI governments honestly and efficiently administra-
tedMunicipal and state government ought to be con-
Quoted on business lines II there is wasteulness
owing TO ignorance and incompetence il there is
diversion Of the peoples money because Of the grab
bing practice oi dishonest officials, the American
people cannot feel an honest and intelligent pride 10
theiact That they give 900 600 900 year for local
and state administrations. They should exercise
wise liberality In public expenditures, but they
should not give one cent to be gquandered by the
extravagant Or ignorant Or to be taken ont Of the
public treasury BY the CRATER and plUnderer It
would be interesting to know what part Of the 81,
OOOOOO 600 which the people spent in 1902 their
state and local government brought the public al
fair return on the investment.