The Adair County news., 1915-10-06


trenchment and reform" that we have
been guilty of ''wanton. useless and reck-
less extravagance,' resulting in "an
empty ..y,n Treasury and a bankrupt State
The Democratic party" says Mr.
Morrow, "came into control OF the
three branches of the government Ian
nary !. l912- On this day there were
outstanding unpaid warrants against
the Treasury amounting in round fig
ures to $500. 900. On August 81, 1915.
there were outstanding against the
amounting to S3,275,0O0.
he therefore assumes the State to be
S3,275,00O in debt, an inference absolute
ly unwarranted by the record and reach
ed by an artful juggling of figures, un-
worthy Of my distinguished opponent.
AS is well known, nearly all the
States revenues collected during the last
three months of the year, while the run
ming expenses of the Government are
about the same, one month with another.
so that, however free from debt the State
may be at the end Of the year, on the
last Of August or the first of September,
Its outstanding obligations will neces-
sarily exceed by hundreds of thousands,
II not millions, the amount then on hand
10 meet these obligations Just as q
farmer having an annual income, say,
of $4,000, the major portion of which is
derived from the sale of tobacco or corn,
and other products in the fall and winter,
would probably find on the first Of July
that his Indebtedness exceeds by several
hundred dollars his cash on hand IT,
however, this does not exceed the income
which he might reasonably anticipate
from the sale of his products it can not
be truthfully said that he is in debt or
improvident and bankrupt. The unfair
ness OF artfully selecting time when
IS per cent of the States expenses hav-
Ing been incurred, with practically all
it's revenues uncollected, is abundantly
illustrated by applying the same test
which Mr.. Morrow speaks in such glow
ing terms He says that on January 1.
1912, the outstanding warrants against
his administration amounted in round
figures to s560,000, and yet on August 81
1911, one year previous (the time cum
ningly Oh 1sen by Mr.. Morrow the Re-
publican party faced a deficit of 81
In order that we may form an accurate
estimate Of the relative efficiency and
economy of the present administration
and its Republican predecessor, it is only
just to compare the fiscal condition Of
both for identical periods.
The present Democratic administration
came into power January l, 1912, and
and eight months. j. e., from January 1,
1912. to August 81, 1915. To make fair
comparison between the two administra-
tons, we must take the same relative
period of time for both as a basis Of
comparison that is, the Democratic ad-
ministration from January 1. 1912, to
August 81, 1915, and the Republican adj
ministration from January 8, 1908. to Au-
gust 81, 1911.
The following table shows the COM
paratiVe receipts and expenditures of the
two administrations for identical periods:
Republican Administration from January
8, 1908, 20 August 81, 1911.
Receipts from all sources. .$23, 097, 1923 Al
Cdsn received from former
Democratic administration,
January l, 1908. 1,O13,055.R
Total ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 4 ITO, SSS.19
Democratic Administration from January
I, 1912, to August 81, 1915.
Receipts from all sources. .S26. $40. 375.2S
Less deficit in Treasury jan
uary ], 1912............... 290, 697.56
Total ...............s26 SIG, 279, 677. ~
The Democratic administration has re-
ceived during the same relative period
of time 50, 1692 72.53 more than the Re
publican administration.
The official figures from the Auditors
office show that the last Republican ad-
ministration faced a deficit in the State
Treasury on August 81, 1911, of S1,1OS,-
209.37; that on August 81, 1915, there was
a deficit in the State Treasury Of 81
AS, 049.2O. or S1,336, S39.S3 greater than
the deficit of August 81, 1911. That is.
the present Democratic administration
has received in revenues for the same
relative period 81, 169 .272.53 and has ex-
pended in all S3,506, 112.40 more than the
preceding Republican administration.
The total appropriation made by the
Legislatures of 1912 and 1914 to carry out
platform pledges and in response to
widespread popular demand for progress
sive legislation in the interest OF educa-
ton and agriculture Of humanity, In the
better care of inmates in our charitable
institutions, for the maintenance Of aged
and dependent Confederate veterans, and
for other worthy purposes, amounted 10
total of s3,675,472 Had the General
Assemblies of 1912 and 1914 made none
Of these appropriations, the Treasury on
August 81 1912, would have shown cash
balance of $3.50. 424.53 instead OF de-
felt of $2,445,049.20.
worse stating that the State has been
plunged $2.715, 900 deeper into debt, max
ing a total additional expenditure In the
public revenues of S5,727, 000," OF $l.37S, :
1903 more than is shown by the official
figures Mr.. Morrow is either very badly
advised or he is reckless guesser: ThlS
Is but one of many instances showing
that he is much more picturesque than
1t is reasonably certain and may wei
be assumed that after the collection or
anticipated revenues on the list OF Janu-
ary 1916. the State deficit will not ex-
coed 81 600 900. Does that JUSTIFY the
reckless statement Of Mr. MorroW tnat
"this Is a bankrupt Slater? Can three
million dollars of debt bankrupt a COM
monWealth the value of whose property
exceeds a billion dollars?
What assurance have we that this state
OF hopeless insolvency, even II II aStu<,Iy
existed. would be remedied by turning
Kentucky over, boots and breeches, TO
the successors of Wilson and Taylor; DO
those states which for fifty years have
been under an unbroken Republican re-
gime show such freedom from debt, such
prosperity as to justify this most perilous
remedy?
Bonded Indebtedness Of Republican
States.
Take Maine, Republican for fifty years;
the home of Dingley, Reed, Littleheld
and Blaine. Let us compare the condi-
tfon of poor old Kentucky, this Repub-
Hcan paradise
The real and personal property of Ken
lucky is valued at $S46, ,020. That prop
erty pays a tax rate OF s. per thousand,
with no bonded indebtedness.
Maine has less than half the amount