Western Kansas world., 1918-10-24

amples of it in Trego County during
the last several years. For instance,
during the Early Days of this County
after the October meeting of the
board OF County Commissioners when
all Claims and Bills against the
County were allowed and paid, there
would be balance, some times small,
but always balance remaining in the
County Treasury belonging to the
County General fund which answered
as a little "Nest Egg" to which would
be added the years taxes when they
were paid into the County Treasury
the first of November each year. Is
this an example of High Finance?
During those days, no one ever saw
a County Warrant stamped, "Not
Paid for Want of Funds" This is too
expensive. Warrants thus stamped
draw interest, and our people don't
like to pay interest when it can be
avoided, and it can be. 1t never does
County Treasury with which to pay
claims and bills; it never did occur
prior to 1907.
The first of July, 1905, there were
$12,000.00 in the County General
fund; such a thing has never occurr-
ed since July 1st, 1906, it has always
been a Deficit; not a Surplus. In
July 1906, there were borrowed
100000, from the County General
fund with which to finish paying off
the Court House bonds, though they
were not due till 1908, but our peo-
pie then objected to paying interest
That might have been High Finance,
but it was certainly good, sensible
Finance. During those days the lev
les were low, our people were happy,
contented and prosperous.
During the Early Days, our people
viewed, laid out, established, built
roads and bridges, and paid for all
this out of the County General fund;
why, the levy in 1906, for current ex-
penses including for roads and
bridges amounted to only $14, 1896 100,
and the levy remained about the same
till 1909, when the levy for the
County General Fund was $21, ,003. 90
and the amount of the levy has con-
tinued to increase till now, for 1918,
the levy for the County General fund
is $27, 10000, but owing to High Fl
nance, Trego County General fund is
in debt more than $22,O0O.OO There
were allowed claims and bills this
year against the County General
fund, $27,5s7.o0, and only a few dol
lars with which to pay this sum, till
1918 taxes are paid in November.
As stated the levy for the County
General fund amounts to $27,399 90. |
The levy could be no greater under
the law, so that should every penny
of the levy be paid by the fore part
OF January next, and applied towards
the liquidation of this Deficit, it
would still be impossible to get cut
of debt before January 1919, and
probably not then. Mr. Editor, this
is High Finance. Some Financieringi
The outstanding Warrants against
the County General fund stamped.
mot Paid for Want of Funds" now
amount to more than $21, 10000, not
including interest, which will add on
an other 100000, so that the out
standing Stamped Warrants when
paid viii amount to $22, 100000, if paid
In January next, but should a part
run longer the amount of interest
will be increased.
Irego County has been out of debt
just four times during the last 12
years; the fore part of the years.
1914, 1915, 1916 and 1918. The first
seven days of January this year,
Trego County was out of debt, but q
Deficit of $4,5OO.OO was created Jan
uary 8th, of this year. and has been
handsomely increased at each meet
ing of the County board during the
year.
1t viii be remembered that the
levies for the County General fund
up to 1915, included current expenses.
roads and bridges When we stop to
consider the growth and Increase of
these enormous and excessive taxes.
the situation is shameful and appaT-
ing with no attempt to save our hard
pressed Taxpayers. The burden is
greater than they should have to
bear during these distressing times
of war and necessary conservation.
especially, when we are SO .stxenu-
ously admonished by the National ana
State Council of Defenee to Con-