Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1898 — TO TAXPAYERS. [ARTICLE]

TO TAXPAYERS.

A Few Official Figures of County Receipts and Expenditures. The recognized official organ of the republican party in Jasper county appeals to republicans to “stand by the ticket” because it “is better to have our party friends in office.” In the light of past experience the “party friends” a e not the friends of the taxpayers, and the continuance in office of the ringsters who have dominated the republican party in this county for years means a continuation of exorbitant taxation and extravagance in the administration of public affairs in Jasper conuty. We have taken the trouble to secure from the county auditor’s annual reports the following official figures in regard to financial matters of the county, and respectfully submit them for your consideration: Receipts Co. revenue 1890. $23,387.14 Receipts Co. revenue 1896. 36.354.75 Gain in receipts over 1890 $12,967.61 Expenditures County revenue 1890 $21,388.38 Expenditurers County Revenue 1896 $38,711.40. Gain in expenditures over 1890 $17,323X3 Thus we see that the average | increase in the receipts for the six years was over $2,000 per year. But the expenses of the county kept pace with the increased revenue, and a little more so, the average increase in ordinary expenses per year for this time being almost $3,000. (We do not | give the figures up to 1898 for the j reason that the ordinary expenses | have been so mixed with the new | court house expenses that it is im- ! possible for us to make any true statement for the years 1897 and 11898.) Now, the question arises, where has all this money gone? The ordinary expenses of the county should not have almost doubled in six years. We do not know where all of the money went but we can show where a few thousands have gone and will proceed to do so. POOH FARM. Cost of maintenance 1890 $1,842.43 Cost of maintenance 1898 3.581.45 Increase over 1890 $1,739X2 COMMISSIONERS' COURT. Cost ill 1890 $125.00 Cost in 1898 .2^15.68 Increase over 1890 $1,890.68 COOKS AND STAIONKRY. Cost in 1890 $863X8 Cost in 1898 2.882X8 Increase over 1890 $2,019.44 The above few items show how county expenses under republican ring rule have increased in only eight years. Is there a taxpayer in the county wholielieves for an instant that the legitimate expenses should have increased in the ratio shown? Do the people wish any further evidence of rotted management? Willthey listen to the wail to stand by the ticket and keep party friends in office? Such a conclusion is an insult to I their intelligence, and we sincerely j believe they will rise in there might at the coming county elecI tion and sweep this corrupt ring j from further control of county finances. Many honest and conscientious republicans have had their eyes opened by The Democrat's exposures and fully realize that it is a duty they owe to themselves and to the republican party of Jasper county to purify their party by setting down on ring ; domination good and hard at the approaching election, and that their party will be stronger and better for their having done so.