The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1907-09-11

to the people of Kentucky the charac-
ter of an administration that might
reasonably be expected OF 1t should 1t
again be entrusted with. power. In
order that the voters may decide fair
ly and vote intelligently let us review
little history that is so recent that
all may remember, You will recall
that in 1895, the Republican slogan
was turn the rascals out and give
us q look at the books and we will
disclose such mismanagement of the
states affairs as will appall the most
incredulous." The people voted to
give them a look. For four years they
looked, and the people waited long
for that report which was to make
bare the shortcomings of the Demo
cratic party about which they had
been carping for years, but like the
letter that was looked for" the re-
port never came.
What "Look at Books" Showed.
Now let us see what the Republi-
cans found when they got look at
the books. They found that the states
affairs had been honestly and econom-
ically conducted and every dollar paid
into the treasury had been strictly
accounted for.
The first acts of the Republicans
were the issuance of 100000 In bonds
and an increase in the tax rate 10
cents. The bonds sold for premium
of $39,071 and the 10 cents extra tax
produced during their incumbency ST.
100000, making a total, of bond sale
and increased tax, Of 1,739,071. With
this additional large sum provided for
them by legislative enactment they
managed the states affairs so poorly
that when the Democrats came into
possession of the Offices in June, 1900,
there was a bonded debt of 81 100000
hanging over the state, about $400,-
900 of unaudited and unpaid claims,
and a deficit in the school fund of
$147, 900, making a total Of $1,547,O 900
for which the state was liable and only
$363, 1874 in the treasury to pay 1t with.
Since then, under the wise policy
pursued by the Democrats, this large
|
propriated and expended on our char
table and penal institutions and other
most worthy causes, and all this with
tax rate of 2h cents less than the
Republicans had.
Among these appropriations that
have been paid are the
State Capital. $500. 1000
Asylums. ........ 3SO,l
State College and Normal
Schools. ......... ......... z2o,oOO
Penitentiaries ............... Ioo,olo
Confederate Home. .......... 195,32O
Children's Home Society. $4,000
Is there one among these appropria-
lions that Mr.. Wilson and his asso-
ciates do not approve?
My colored brother, $55, 900 has been
appropriated and paid to the normal
and Industrial school at Frankfort,
school established for your race.
Now will Mr.. Wilson tell you Of any
thing his party has done for you or
anybody, except for the chosen few,
commonly designated as "Pie Hunt
ers?"
Property Values in Kentucky Increase.
Our opponents say that we have
been wantonly extravagant and reck-
lessly wasteful of the peoples money
that in order to meet the growing
demand for more revenue, instead of
increasing the tax rate we have,
through the state board Of equaliza-
ton, increased the value of the taxa
BILE property. My friends the increase
in property values In Kentucky since
1900, when the Democrats came into
power, has been remarkable but nat
ural.
From 1900 to 1904 the property
values In Kentucky increased from
81, 1856, 13O,718 to 1887 ,4S8.230 as
shown by a compilation Of such values
recently gathered and published by
the Manufactures Record Of Baltimore.
Estimates of conservative statisticians
indicate that a gain of 20 per cent
has been made since then, or that
property values In Kentucky today
are over $1,000, 900. 900 and that of all
states In the South, Texas alone, on
account of its large area, stands ahead
of our own state.
The safety and security felt by
those investing in the state under
Democratic administration is shown
blythe large increase in organized cap
ital. During the four years Of Brad
ley's administration $3S5S8,340 was
incorporated under our laws to do
business.
From January 1, 1904, TO June 80,
1907. three years and half of the
present administration. $197,195,S30
was incorporated under the laws of
Kentucky. And yet with all this splen-
did showing Of increased property
values, the total equalized value of
all property assessed for taxation in
Kentucky is $67S.041,91S or slightly
In advance of one-third of the actual
value.
/ My Fellow citizens since 1 have been
at the head of the fiscal department
of the state, I have collected and
turned into the state treasury $3,427,-
296 more. than the Republicans did
and the fax rate as before stated was