Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1915 — State Democratic Press News by Lew Ellingham. [ARTICLE]

State Democratic Press News by Lew Ellingham.

Indianapolis, Dec. 31.—1 believe that it was James Eli Watson who once remarked that the democrats could not run this government. “Why; says Jim, it is all we republicans can do.’’. The story of state finance as told by the democratic administration of the affairs of Indiana rather disputes this theory. At least it will be. good news and we consider it a privilege to relate it, that today for the first time ' since 1832 the state of’ Indiana owes not one cent of foreign debt. -The last of that ancient landmark was paid today amounting to $130,000 in principal and $1,137.50 in interest'After fourteen years of republican high, financing, the affairs of state government were turned over to the democrats on December 1, 1910, at which time’ Hon. William H. O’Brien became auditor of state. He with GoV* eri)or Marshall formed the majority of the three members of the board ot finance. Soon thereafter Hoh. William H. Volmer became treasurer of state, and then on Jenuary 12, 1913, Governor Ralston succeeded to membership upon this the most important board of affairs of our state government. At the time the democrats succeeded to power and responsibility the foregin debt amounted to $ SOO,OOO and - upon that debt, payments have been made as follows: June, 1912 $150,000 Dec., 1.912 , • • -•••:• 100,000 July, 1913 . . . 1.50,000 Jan., 1914 1 20,000 July, 1914 150,000' ' - Dec. 31, 1914. 1 30,000. Total • • 4800,000 The total amount of interest paid upon this suni during the years mentioned was $5,151.32,and it all indicates that the democrats are honest to the core and believe in paying their own debts, as well as the debts that were kindly turned over to them as a sbuvenii of the reckless -extravagance of former republican administrations. But the old thing is paid, so let’s thank the Lord and the democratic. party.

All this good financiering and debt paying has been no mere matter t of. form or political picnic, but it has taken the best thought of business men. About this time four years ago there was not much left around the sfate house but a few chips and whetstones—the republicans were moving out.. In the general fund, and this is the fund out of Which all the exJ peases of the state and the belevolept institutions is paid, the munificent sum of $72,462.03 greeted the present treasurer of state when he as--suhiedldsoffice.-To -add to his grief as well as to the grief of the entire finance board, the state had defaulted in the payment of one hundred thousand dollars for colliseuin bonds and three thousand dollars interest. So you see that not Only a depleted treasury but an injured credit faced the democrats when they began their administrative record as officers of the state. Today there is more than four hundred thousand dollars in the general and benevolent funds, and this “too, after the paymem of the foreign debt, as mentioned, and also the payment of the colliseuin bonds and interest. So the democrats at the a state house have a right to rejoice over their accomplishments. Prior to the date of December 1, 1910, the state had not only defaulted in the payment of some of its indebtedness, but upon the desk of State Auditor O’Brien when he was inducted into office was unpaid current and institutional bills that aggregated the sum of-$ 1 95,001). This was a pleasant introduction to what was •supposed to be an easy and an idle life, it was busy four years, filled with fear, some times with remorse and at other times with temporary loans, and there were many Of the, latter, because it takes something more substantial than hot air to pay bills.. In 1913 the finance board borrowed $460,000 and on the last day of that year they paid off these loans. The first half of 1914, $600,000 was borrowed and on June 30 that was paid off. During the past six months $685,000 was borrowed, and today State Auditor Crittenberger cleaned the slate, and now not even a temporary loan can stare the excellent state administration in the face. Better still not, an unpaid bill is on the desk at the state auditor’s office.- All praises to the democrats, those unterriped democrats. May you live long and prosper always..

In ending this chapter it is not necessary to state that Governor Ral--Ston is at the head of the state board of finance. The governor is a firm believer in the old theory that expenses should not exceed one’s income, and his influence will be used in this direction with the finance of the state. If the incoming legislature will soft pedal on special apprpopriations, 'the hard times around the state’s exchequer will blossom into prosperous times, and the happiness

of the present state board of finance Will be cpmplete.