The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-06-22

25 per cent to 255 per cent Interest.
The inactive accounts draw from $40
per cent TO 4,l0 per cent interest, With
an average daily balance during the fis-
| year 1893 of s6S7, ,5S4 IL less than dur
irg the fiscal year 1908, the state has
r a.ized $40, ,2s4s6 more interest than II
did during the year 1908, and suits have
ben brought, under direction OF the
governor, 10 recover s32s, ,506 interest re-
csiyed on public funds by former treas
uieTs and not accounted for to the
state.
BY what code OF morals any one can
use public funds for private benefit Is
beyond my comprehension. To be called
10 the public service, In whatever capac-
ity, by ones fellow men should always
De considered a mark Of esteem. l can
not conceive of a greater disgrace be-
falling any man than to be called to
public position and prove recreant to
the trust which has been imposed upon
him. As result OF the recent investi-
sstions one man who betrayed the con-
fidence that had been reposed In him has
en- convicted and sent to the peniten-
tary God speed all others 10 the same
destiny who are guilty of the same Of
fenss. The people Of the state OF Ohio
will not be satisfied until grafters every
where are brought to quick and speedy
justice.
q BUSINESS METHODS AND
ECONOMY.
Under the leadership Of Governor Har-
mon, Democracy has insisted that the
business OF the state shall be conducted
on modern business methods; that the
public affairs shall be economically ad. i.
ministered. In 1890 the total expenditures
OF the state amounted to s3,4s4,s06, In
l 90 they increased to 81 ,s04,7 ,769, and in
1908 the expenditures amounted to the
appalling sum OF $s,l94,49 What BEN
eits did our people receive from the
state during 1908 that they did not have
during the year 1890?
The total Indebtedness increased in
1905 over the year 1907. s1s,i56,lss. The
local indebtedness. and by that ! mean
the Indebtedness OF counties, cities In
corporated villages. townships and school
districts. In 1896 amounted to s99. 069,-
2l?s6, In 1908 II had increased to $780,
1887 making a net increase within 12
Years OF S7lll0,44I.l4.
Is not Democracy justified I'm asking
why this vast Increase In the amount OF
the state expenditures and are we not
concerned to know the reasons for the
Increase OF the local indebtedness, and
to command that better business meth
ois ana economy shall be introduced in
every portion of the public seryice2 And
yet when our governor asks that the af-
placed In charge OF a central board OF
trustees, WHO shall give their undivided
time and attention to the affairs OF those
institutions his request IL ignored for
the simple reason that II would enable
him to reorganize them and perhaps by
that means displace some Republican
oriceho d rs. ! have no objection to
p1rtsinship. but I protest against the
sacrifice OF the state to party advantage.
S. REDUCTION AND REFORM IN
OUR TAX SYSTEM
Since the adoption OF the constitution
OF 1851 Ohio has had the 80 called uni
form rule VI taxation. 1t requires 'ail
moneys joint stock companies or other
wise, and also all real and personal prop
erty," TO be taxed according to a uni
form rule and at Its true value In money
Al first blush II may seem right IN the
ory, In practice II Is anything but lust
or uniform. II Is bad In Its conception;
II has been worse In It's administratio ion.
Under II We have had high taxation and
low taxation. double taxation and no
taxation. Real estate is open 10 public
view and none OF II escapes. Much OF
the tangible personal property Is con.
cealed IN factores and stores. and most
OF Il escapes For years the state au-
dior Ia violation OF the constitution and
laws OF Ohio instructed county ~Hu-
dltors, and they In turn Instructed the
ass ssars and decennial appraisers 10
make their returns at not exceeding 80
per cent OF the true value thereof The
result Is an utter disregard OF all law, Ct
all oniformity, and has led to the gross
est inequalities. - NIX =. ~ ~ ~
In 1910 the entire return OF the state
fW taxation -& M2psxA -Gxsaita and In