Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1890 — “SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT.” [ARTICLE]

“SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT.”

Indianapolis Journal. That remarkable production which the Democratic State convention adopted as its platform, While admitting the great increase of the State debt, added in extenuation, that “the State has something to show for it.” The taxpayers, if they could see all the bills_ that have been paid in connection with the construction of the additional hospitals for the insane, would come to the conclusion that many of the things which the Democratic management has to show for the people’s money are not the things for which they wiAhtO pay. Some of the thing for which they are paying, and which the Democratic management has to sh .w for the increasing debt, are as follows: l ; Twenty-four cherry andfleather dining chairs, S7B; 4 cherry easy chairs, SSO; canopy top surrey, $125; extention to phaeton, $275; 1 surrey harness, S2B; 4 Cairo squares, S9O; 4 reception tables. $76; 9 chamber sets, $585; 6 oak massive leather settees, $114; 2 no back lounges, $36; \ plush lounges, S7B; 6 leather easy chairs, $79; parlor set, $149.50. On one bill the good people will find these three charges on the same day : 4 Smyrna rugs, $175; 2 Smyrna rugs, $119.12. In one place can be found ten mattresses at $45 each; and a largo number at $6.75 each. These are samples, of the “somethings” which the Democratic managers have to show for the annual increase of the debt at the rate of $500,000. But they are only samples. There are lots and lots more of the same sort of lavish expenditures to prepare sumptuous and regal accommodations for the officials. Looking over the expenditures for the maintenance of the insane hospitals, one finds frequent charges such as “4 pairs curtains, $75;” “one ‘only’ mustache cup and saucer; one ‘only’ jug; 85 yards of fancy silks for upholstering and ornamentation,” and yards and yards of carpeting. These things are all very nice for those who have the positions where they can enjoy them, but the plain people who are being run in debt for them may conclude that they want no more of this kind of Jeffersonian Democracy. If the Republicans tyrn out and vote in November, the victory will be theirs.