The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-09-18

II so will he please explain to the peo-
pie in what respect, he differs from
them or by what process Of purifica-
ton he has been made better than
they were? He cannot answer by re-
failing some exploded SANDER or base
less falsehood about the Democratic
administration. He must come to the
point direct. The people have no toll
Grafton for lodging or equivocation.
/ He must either defend the administra-
lions Of Governor Bradley and Taylor
or repudiate them. And he cannot DO
Either without confessing the futility
of his candidacy and the absurdity Of
his claim.
will relieve him somewhat of his
embarrassment and answer II for him.
He will not deny that my answer is
correct. He does indorse these two
men, and II elected governor he would
show his Endorsement by trying to
send one to the United States senate
and bring the other a free man back
to Kentucky.
Something on Financial Conditions.
Now let us look at the financial con-
dition of affairs when that party took
charge in January, 1896, and the con-
dition when they went out in Feb
ruary, 1900.
The Republican auditor stated that
he found a debt of $1.S00,000, with
cash in the treasury amounting to
$153,7343S. leaving a net debt of ST.
GAG, 265.62. Taking their own figures,
about which there is much question,
and 1t is probable that they overstated
the amount. the fact remains that the
debt which they found was not as
great as the debt which they left in
February, 1900. for statement from
the auditors office shows that on Feb.
&c. 1900. when the Democrats took
charge of that department, the total
liabilities amounted to $2,062, 991.S1,
with 1868. 334.57 cash in the treasury,
leaving a net debt of 81 .699. $3.50, a
greater amount than the debt which
they say existed when they first took
charge II therefore appears that not
withstanding their increase of the tax
rate ten cents, and issuing bonds for
which they received nearly 100000.
all done for the avowed purpose OF
paying off the state debt, they left
the state in heavier debt than they
found it, They charged this debt to
what they called Democratic extrava-
gance." not explaining to the people
that the preceding Democratic admin
istration had been burdened with eX-
traordinary demands upon its re-
sources owing to the long session of
the Constitutional convention and the
unusually loag session of the general
assembly OF 1S91-92-93, made neces-
sary for the purpose of a revision of
all our laws in accordance with the
new constitution.
In order to pay off this debt as
they claimed, they called an extra SEES
sion of the general assembly in 1897
and secured the passage of acts 10
enable them to issue bonds for $780,
900 for which they received about
$40, 900, and to increase the tax rate
from 421s cents ON the one hundred
dollars to 521a cents. Democratic
members voted for these measures
because they placed patriotism above
partisanship and did not want to EN-.
barrass the financial affairs Of the
commonwealth merely to secure a par
ty ADVANTAGE.
Republicans Increased the State Debt.
What was the result? The bonded
debt of the state was doubled, making
it $1.000,000; the tax rate was raised
to the highest point In the states
history-all done. they said. to pay of
debts and yet after their four years
OF power they left the state with a
bigger debt than they found it. In
tllose four years and two months of
power they appropriated only $751;
900 for public improvements, while
the Democratic administration since
1t came into power. with reduced
tax rate. has paid off all the debt II
inherited from the Republican admin
istration, made Kentucky one OF the
four or Ave states in the Union which
have no debt. and appropriated over
S2,500,OO0 for public improvements
and in the establishment and develop
ment OF our institutions.
In the bill by which the Republican
administration raised the tax rate to
SPY cents. they provided that at the.
end OF their term the tax rate should
fall cents or be AN cents, under
which rate we lived for two years,
when, in 1902, the &, neral assembly
raised It to so, C; nts, the present rate.
Consequently when we came Into con-
troll in February, 1900, we found'sa
reduced tax rate, Seriously cutting
down our revenues at critical time,
and debt of about S1,700, 900 facing
us. .fl -.t.. 5-.
What Democracy Has Accomplished.
3 What have we done under such dis
astrous conditions? With the whole
state In disorder and chaos We calmly
went to work, while our enemies bit
teriy assailed and INSTRUCTED us. and
we tried TO bring order ont OF an
archy, soIvency out Of bankruptcy.
Whether r.not we succeeded. let the
records speak.
In the place OF mob rule we re-es-
tablished the authority of the courts
-.