Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1888 — Indiana Debt Increase. [ARTICLE]

Indiana Debt Increase.

Journal. When one asks for the amount anti condition of the State debt the question opens the way for comment wholly unfavorable to Democratic financiering. Not only this, but it leads to investigation that is prolific in facts and figures entirely opposed to any claim the Democrats may assert to having been careful and economical managers of the State funds. JiYhen the Republicans took charge|of Indiana’s finances, in 1881, the foreign debt was $i,093,385.12, the domestic, $3,904,783.22. At the end of the fiscal year, October 31; 1881, the foreign debt had been reduced to $971,825.12 and the domestic remained the same. When the Democrats, who succeeded in 1883, closed the fiscal year, October 31, 1886, just preceding the return of Republican control, they showed both the foreign and domestic debts greatly increased, the former reaching $1,701,825.12, and the domestic $4,304,783.22. These are the figures appearing in the last report oi James H. Rice, Auditor of State, but they do not tell the whole story of mismanagement. From January, 1883, to January, 1887, the Democratic officers made a muddle of their financiering that they can show ho better record than this, .which the present Republican State officers found on beginning their administration: roretgn debt under Republican ad ministration.’ Oct. 31,1882 8971,825 12 Foreign debt. Democratic administration, Oct 3 r , 1886, as shown by y Auditor of State’s report ...... 1.701.8 25 12 Increase... $730.c50 CO Add to this: -=~ Payment of interest on State debt made by the Republicans, which should have been made under the Democratic administration, Oct. 10, 1886 117,118 49 Overdraft, account general fund,for year ending Oct. SI, 18?6 15,319 04 Vouchers allowed by Democratic administration for additional hospitals for the insane,and nearly all paid under present Republican adpaiuistratiom. Anticipated revenue by Democrats, caused by the general fund being overdrawn by them Difference of balance in Treasury Oct. *l. 1882, and Oct. ?1, 1186, against Democratic administration 288,097 76 Actual Increase Of the Btate debt under four years of Democratic , administration 81,810,8T7 76 This sets forth that the Democrats not only increased the debt, but left affairs in such shape that it will require some time in restoring them to the good condition in which they found them on succeeding the Republicans in 1883.