The Washington gazette. (Washington, Ga.) 1866-1904, February 06, 1885, Image 2

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WASHINGTON GAZETTE ’ j. W. CHAPMAN, Proprietor, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY C, 1885, THE STATE’S FINANCES. ABOUND AND STRIKING REVIEW BY JUDGE BEEBE. Th F.c.nt AcUori of tho Larlalature In Reference to , i>, Floanclaa of tha Btita, Reviewed and Oontraeted With the Requirement* of tha Oonatitntion of tha Btate-Eto. To Hon Patrick Wliah: \ the la-islatiire has closed its winter cn scu ami disposed of tho tax and ap propriation bills, the temporary loan resolution and the funding bill, it is at most opportune occasion to ascer tain what istheexactcondilionofour finances. In order that the matter may be understood, I propose first to review certain provisions of the constitution of 1877, reapecilng fln aianec, taxation aud-tlic public debt, -and then compare with these rcqnlre tnents the action of the present leg islature. Articles 7. section 3, paragraph Ist, flie constitution of j 877, declares that io debt shall be contracted by or oil *ehalff the slate, except to supply casual deficiencies of the revenue, repel invasions,suppress insurrection, defend the state In time of war, or to pay tho existing public debt; but the debt created, to supply deficiencies in tho revenue shall not exceed in flic aggregate two hundred thousand dollars. In ilia same article, soctlon 12. paragraph 1, it Is declered that <ho bonded debt of the state shall never be Increased except to repot In v uslon time of war. Section 14ot the same at tide, based on tho idea that provision had been made by laws in 1877, or wo tld bo made by law to raise sufficient funds by taxatiou to pay the interest on tho public debt and a portion of the principal yearly until 1880, declares thst the general assembly after 1886, shall raise by taxation each year, in addition to the stun required to pay the public ex penses and interest on the public debt, 4lie stint of one hundred thousand dollars, which shall be held us a sinking fund to pay off anil retire the bonds of the state, not now matured. The term “except to supply casual xleflclencics in tho revenue’' is twice used in the constitution, and in tho Same sense at each place. Whenever the revenue raised, or to be raised yearly by taxation from some acci dent, chance or unexpected event, It lost or cannot bo collected, there is a casual deficiency. If tho state treasurer should crnber.zlo the public money, or robbers break into tho vaults et tho treasury and steal, trhereby an insufficient amount is loft to meet the claims on the treasu ry, a causal deficiency would happen. ■So ir through drouth, pestilence or storm, sufficient taxes for the year could not be collected to satisfy tho demands against tho treasury for that year, then there would be a cas ual deficiency. Under our praotico a casual deficiency is held to arise when, after sufficient taxes for tho •current year arc levied!, t Is necessary ifor a short period of the year to an •tluipate tho collection of taxes. When .however, the revenue was insufficient from the beginning, that is from the time the Ur was levied, lo meet ap propriatious. and was known lo lie so then casual deficiency has not oc curred, and a temporary loan, .provided to meet such deficiency.' ia simply without constitutional sanction. The provisions of the constitution prohi biting an tucreasb of the bonded debt of the state, except to suppress insur rection, repel invasion and defend tho state in time of war, as I understand, refers not only to tho debt existing in >187.7, but to the debt as it may be re ■si need at any time by payment. Whon somedncedlta amount cannot bo in creased except for the purposed there in nan ed. Tho bonded debt of the state cannot be increased to ab-orb temporal') loans, even when properly mailer, ner to pay appropriations bc yeadtbe amount of revenue when not changed Into k temporary loan, unless they arc made for the objects *et forth lu section 12 of at tide 7. Temporary loans, unless saved by section 12, article 7, must be provided for by taxation, audit..is.unfortunate that it is so. as this is certaiu to se cure attention ami inquiry into the action of the representatives of the people. l,ot msec how the legislatureofthe state at its recent session conformed its action to the constitution, liming She summer ot 1554 on ac-onnt of ap propriations beyentl the revenue ef she state, a large deficiency occurred exceeding two hundred thousand dol lars, aud this amount was then ac tually uceded to pay ini rest eu the pubjic debt, barge appropriations, such as appropriations to the lunatic asylum ; to pay for artificial limbs for tho soldiers—lo pay expenses of the legislature alone amoanting to one hundred anil fifty thonsam dollars and other apprialions not nccoessary to enumerate, absorbed the entire revenue and left an insufficient amount to pay interest on the bonds of the stale. In the utidslof llte pan ic of 1884 the governor was forced to borrow money to pay interest on the bonded debt of the state. Tn his message to the legislature he called special attention to Ihi* emergency. With his special notice before it the present legislature revolved to meet it by another temporary loan for 1885,f0r which no provision was made by tax ation or otherwise. This tempoary loan wilt, unless taken care of at llte summer session of (lie legislature, go down to succeeding administrations, when It will probably disappear in a funding bill. By this new scheme of txccssivo appropriation, the bonded debt will be increased and a scheme constantly counteracting the sinking fund echcmo of the constitution will be in operation. Tho legislature at its late session passed a Binding or bond bill, lo which the attention of the leading and thinking pcopleof litis slate is asked. It requires the governor ot the state to issue and sell bonds bearing not exceotlingfi per cent interest to the amount of 83.445,135 (three million four hundred anil forty-five thousand one hundred and thirtv-fivo dollars) to pay (lie bonds of the state tailing due in 1885and 1886, towlt: 1269.100 A. and G. 6 per cent bonds; $99,000 8 percent Nulling bonds, falling due in 1886; $2.968,(XX) Western and Atlantic railroad 7percent bonds, falling due in 1886; S9I.tXX) 8 per cent Nutting bonds, and $18,035 4 per cent bonds, fulling due in 1885. The temporary lean reso'ution and the funding blll(o framed as lo take up tlie hemls lulling duo in 1885,) considered in connection with other legislation of the late session, show that the objectof the unusual and unwise legislation, as I conceive, was to leave a sufficient supply of money in the treasuary to satisfy tho capital ap propriation without Increasing the tax levy above 310 of one per cent. 1 say in connection with other leg islation at the same session, by which Is meant the appropriation of SIBO,OOO for the year 1885, and of the same ajßount for the year 1886 to be paid (Yam the re run ties of these year lo build tho new capitol. As it may be asked why such appropriations were made, when tho act of 1883 pro vkling for the erection of anew capi tol contained provisions that the capi tol should bebuiltonly from surplus money In the treasury, and that taxation should never be increased beyond the rate ex isting in the year 1883, to raise means to build the capitol, I will ex plain the causo of this “new depart ure.” When the legislature met in 1884 it was atcoctalnori that there was uo surplus in the treasury, and hail not been for tci' years, and that a system of keopittg tho public accounts made certain amounts seem lo be a surplus which had already been paid but for which vouchers had uot been received at tho treasury. It was further ascertained at the same session that the large amounts paid into the treasury by the purchasers of the Ma con anil Brunswick railroad iu 1884 could not bo used as surplus, because such payments had been made iu bonds of tho state. Therefore, to avoid taxation for the year 1885 (and secure means to build llio capitol,) a temporary loan resolu tion for that yoar, with no provision to meet it from the revenues of 1885, and a bill to fund bonds falling due in 1885 to the extent of $109,035, were adopted. These objects of the legisla ture are made more fully apparent by an examination of tho tresaurer s ro|iort, made October 1, 1884, to the governor, aud by him transmitted to the general assembly. In tills report It is shown if a tem porary loan of $160,000 for 1885 and in the bonds falling due iu 1885, and the appropriation of SIBO,OOO for the cap itol should be paid in 1835 from the revenues provided by a tax of 3-10 ol 1 percent, anil the others resources ol state during that year, there would be a deficiency at the eml of 1885 ol $214.235 —an amount less by $50,00C that the deficiency which will exist. Wa9 there any necessity for such temporary loan and funding bill as to bonds failing due in 18S5? There was (as I conceive) no necessity to make a temporary loan to bo paid from the revenues of 1885—no necessity to fund the bonus falling dues in 1885. A small additional tax of 1-10 of 1 per 1 cent for the year 1885 would nave provided for'the tetnpoary loan of $200,000 and for the bonds tailing due in ISSS This, with a tewt'otary loan i u anticipation of the taxes of 1885, a iisii 1 practice in this state, would have met all claims against the slate arising from appropriations for the year 1885. The history of taxation in this state, tram 1870 to the present lime, will abundantly prove that the legislature should not have resorted to a temporary loan anil to funding bonds due in the year 1885, but should have imposed an additional tax be yond 3-10 of 1 per cent on the property of the state. In 1870, upon a property worth $226,119,519, a tax of 4-10 of 1 per cent produced $904,478 00. In 1871, on property worth $234,492,468, ataxof4-10of 1 percent produced $937,939 (X). In 1872, on property worth $243,620,466. a tax of 4-10 ot 1 per cent produced $974,481,86. Iu 1873, on a property of $259,593,622, a lax of4-10 oi l per cent produced $l - In 1974 on a property of $273,093,292, a lax ;of 5-0 of 1 per cent produced $1,305,466. In 1875. on u property of $261,755,884, a tax of 510 of 1 percent produced $1,308,770, In 1870, on a property of $245,863,780, a lax of 5-10 of 1 per cent produced $1,290,268. In 1877, on a property of $286,659,930, a lax of 5-10of 1 per cent produced $1,178,299. In 1870, on a property of $234,459,548, a tax of 3-10 of 1 percent produced $820,608,41. In 1880, on a property of $250,016,277, a tax ot 3)^-10 of 1 por cent produced $882,056. The reduction of taxes for the year 1879 and 1880 wa.ott account of large payment made into tho treas ury by the purchasers of the Ma :on and Brunsiyicfe railroad. In 1881 on a property of $270,993,858, a tax of 3-10 of 1 per cent produced $812,982.- 00. In 1882, on a property of $287,- 249,403, a tai of 3-10 of one per cent produced $861,748.00. lit this year another large payment was made into the treasury by the purchasers of the Macon aud Brunswick railroad. In 1883, on a property, of $300,912,355 a tax of 2'„ -10 produced $767,28 .SB. lu the yoar 1884. on a property of $317,- 074,271, the proceeds were insufficient to meet the demauds against the treasury. As the cause for reducing the taxes, (tho receipts of purchase money from sale ot Macon aud Bruns wick railroad in cash not bonds ot the stale, as iu 1881) lias ceased, tho neces sity ot increasing the tax above 3-10 of 1 par cent, can not be deuied or evaded. “Carrying over” temporary loans or other just debts, “tiding over emergencies” for which no provision is made, “resorting to expedients to postpono the evil day, putting off on posterity “the debts of tho present > generation" will not meet the occasion. The proper course to pursue is to levy a sufficient tax—this and this alone will furnish a “rock bottom for the capitol.” If ihe people of Georgia understand that the capitol can’t be built except by the imposition or a small addi tional tax not more than six or seven cents oil a hundred dt liars (which with the general state tax will not ex ceed thirty-seven cents on the hun dred dollars) they will pay it cheerful ly. We noire that the legislature at its summer session in 1885 will so ar range as to put an end to deficiencies of the revenue anil the continuance of temporary loans such as the one now provldod for. W. M. Reuse. Washington Ga., January 27, 1885. Books Given Awav. I.ntlio*' tin Id** o Fancy Wrk.— ('outaiuiiiK over 300 handsome illu t ration*, w Urn*' 5* column pg. nicely bound. It in the only practical illustration in fkney work, With It a* a guide you can make hundred* of beautiful thing* for adorning your bnie, or i>reft*nta for your friends. at a trifling expense. livery lady la de lighted with it. a* there is no fkmy work but that she can accomplish by it* aid. l,atte' Private Companion.—A complete work on womanhood. It touch** upon every subset of interest to wit*, mother or daugh ter. Gives the advice and Information ao many times desired by ladies, bni which modesty pre vent* her asking a physician of the oepoett* sex. Worth ip> weight in gold to every one suffering from any >f thore weaknesses of the vex. Illustrat ed and bound in cloth, (ttegalar price $1.00! ran and Candjr—A handsome V**book.toll ing how to make ov*r one hundred kind* of can dies and other tweet things at home. Should be in every American household (Regular price 50) The Ilouarwife—An illustrated domestic journal* devoted te ••W’hat to Wear.*' **How to Cook." “Fancy Work.** *• Household Matters, and every anbjeet of interest to an Americas lady. Arii4 AO Cta* and receive The Housewife on trial for six moat to, aud any ox* of the above book* fhrk, orfljOO am! receive it foe one entire year, aud atx of the above book* rasa. This i* for xxw Subscribers only, who send now. Ad dress. Tint HooiKwrTit. Nun *, N. T Mv horse is all right. I hare been using Russ' stock powders. The lar gest packages for the money in tiie country. Bov nd Girls! Tbe Natlenal l'enth.-A handsome Il lustrated 3-page paper, brim fhU of in te resting sto ne* for boys and girls, will be sent r**a for one entire year to every one who sends us at oho*, the names of 11 ooys and girls of different families, and 13 two-cent stamp* for postage, Ac. Thi* pop ular publication pleases both old and young.aml vs acknowledged by all as the best youth * paper in America.. Regular price. SI.OO per annum. Send now. so as to secure next number. Address. The Hattowax* Yorm, Buffalo. N. Y. Fine soapa and loilet artloe* at ItUß9.’ Tooth brushes of all grades at Russ.’ Free to Farmers ! The Salionsl Agriculturist. In Auiarlran Ksnurr''a Journal. will b* ssut FR*a ro* i,n tub to t*vary farmer who Santa u. .T war*. „„ usmssof tan farmers and la tw.w.m stainr* (or posts**, So. It I* Ik* oost fsrm sml home pa per ill tho United States, snd this offer is msde onlv to srenrs nsniss to whom ws can scn.l spocl mn copies, ns wo know every IntelUaant fsrnn-r who ones sacs Tho Nations’. Agriculturist will suh scribc for It. Rsaulsr pries. tl.UOpcr annum. Send to-il*y snd secure this offer. Address, t<annual. AostOAXTcaUT, Nunda, N. Y. AYER’S Cherry Pectoral. Xo other complaints are ao insidious in their attack as those affecting the throat and longs: no%e so trifled with by the majority of suffer ers. The ordinary cough or cold, resulting perhaps from a trifling or aneonscious ex pfjfcte, is often but the beginning of a fatal simness. Ayer’s Chkrby Pectoral Las well proven its efficacy in a forty years' light with throat and lung diseases, and should be Ufesn iu ail cases without delay. A Terri bio Cough Cared. u ln 18571 took a severe cold, which affected my lungs. 1 had a terrible cough, and passe* 1 night after night without sleep. The doctors gave me up. I tried Ayer's Creamy Pec toral, which reliered my lungs, induced sleep, and afforded me the rest necessary for the recovery of mv strength. By the continued use of tho Pectoral a perma nent euro was effected. lain now 6J years old, hale and hearty, and am satisfied your Cherry Pectoral saved me. Horace Fajhbrother.’' Bookingham, Vi., July 15,1882. Croup.—A Mother's Tribute. ** While in the country last winter my little boy, three years old, was taken ill with croup; it seemed as if he would die from strangu lation. One of the family suggested the use of Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, a bottle of which was always kept in the house. This was tried in small and frequent doses, and to oumdelight in less than half an hour the was breathing easily. Tho doc tor said that tho Cherry Pectoral had saved my darling’s life. Can you wonder at Bluet rely yours, * Mrs. Emma Grottry.” 150 West 128th St., New York, May Id, IBM. •*f have need Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral In my family for several years, and do not hesitate to pronounce it the most effectual remedy for coughs aud colds we hare ever tried. A. J. CRAXE." Lake Crystal, Minn., March 13,1882. ** I suffered for eight yean from Bronehitis, and after trying many remedies with no suc cess, I was cured by the use of Ayer’s Cher ry Pectoral. Joskni Walrex.’* lijhaiia, Miss., April 5,1W2. ••I cannot say enough in praise of Ayer's Citkrry Pectoral, believing as I do that but fur its use I should longsince have died from lung troubles. £. BRAQDOR.” Palestine, Texas, April 22,1882. Xo case of an affection of the throat or lungs exists which cannot be greatly relieved by the use of Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, and it will alteayi curt when the disease is not already beyond the control of medudue. PREPARED Y Dr/J.C.Ayer&Co., Lowell, Mass. Sold by all Druggists. ONLY $18.70 HOUND TRIP NEW ORLEANS, PROM WASHINGTON, GEORGIA. Ticket* Good for 15 Days, and for sale at Our, Depot Ticket Office. TiefcWs g6OD FOR *4O days' $25.00. ONLY $25.00. Lightning Time! Only 22 1-2 Hours ! Pullman Sleepers Atlanta to New Orleans. For further information, write to K. It. DORSEY, Gen. Pas*. Agent. JOE W. WHITE, Gen. Trav. Pas*. Agent. ArcMTSTA, (tEORfIIA. Citation for letters Administration GEORGIA, WILKES COUNTV. NO' ICE in hereby given to all persons concerned, thit Oeo. W. Terry, nomi nated and qualified executor upon the last will of Sam‘l W. Wynn, late of said county, deceased, having departed this lifn, leaving a considerable portion of the assets of said Sam*l W. Wynn's estate unadminiatured, and that uo person bas made application lor administration on said >am\ W. Wynn’a estate, that administration on aid estate with said will annexed will be vested n the werk of the auperior court, or some other fit person to be ov me selected after the publica tion of this citation, unless valid objections are made to his appointment. Giv *1 under my band and official s iguanire, this 30th De cember. 1884. GEO. DYSON, 2-4 t Ordinary. "notice. qpHK firm of Ed. Bonner k Sons ia this day .1 dissolved by mutual consent and I will continue the business alone. I wi 1 not be responsible fsr any debts Incurred by air sous after this date. ED. BONNER, Jan. 31st, 1885. Washington, Ga. iggg -..J . - 11 W. T. Johnson keep* Farm Bolls. Blacksmith Bt-liows, Anrils ami all kind* of blacksmith and carpenters tool*. It will pay yon to see his stock. Another Surprise to the Public. Having just purchased the stock of drugs at the stand recently occupied by J. A. H. Harper near the post office, I beg leave to inform the publie that I atn prepared to serve them with pure drugs, chemical*, the best wines and liquors for medicinal purposes, perfumery, toilet articles, soap and every thing keot in a first class drug store. Cigars and tobacco of the best brands. Stationery, &c., always on hand. Nothing will be left undone to merit your geod opinion and pat ronage. Prices always very reasonable StursoN Russ, M. I). •‘Hough OH Pain-' rarooltd Fluster Strengthening, improved, the best for backache, pains iu chest or side rheumrtism. neuraligia. Thin Fooplr. “Wells’ Health Reuewcr’’ restores health aud vigor, cures Dyspepsia, ! Headache, Nervousness, Debility. *. REMEMBER! BENSON LEADS, BUT NEVER FOLLOWS. 30 000 Lbs Bacon 3,000 B L*. Rust 10 Tierces Lard. Pi oof Oats. 500 Sacks Salt, 75,000 Lbs. Bran. 200 Packages !Mackei el 50 Bbls. Sugar. 50 Sacks Coffee. AND ALL THINGS ELSE IN THE GROCERY LINE AT PRICES WHICH DEFY ALL COMPETITION. To Bo Soli Vitfem llio Next 30 Days Regardless of Value, to Cash Purchasers. 150 Pr’s White and Grev Blankets. 36 Lap Robes. 10,000 Yards Sheeting and Shirting. 10,000 Yards Georgia Checks. 2,000 Yards Osnaburgs. 2,000 Yards Georgia and Kentucky Jeans. A large lot cf Mens’ Hats, Trunks, Valises and Um brellas at a Dread Sacrifice. STOVES. 100 Stoves with all Fixtures complete, at less than Atlanta Prices. FUR NI JURE. Just call and see the greatest bargains ever of fered in Georgia. OIL PAINTINGS. 75 very Handsome and genuine Oil Paintin 200 Beautiful Chromos, on almost every subject. ONE FIRST-CLASS 15 HORSE POWER ENGINE A2CD BOILER, FOR SALE ON EASY TERMS. BUGGIES, WAGONS ■ HARNESS LOWER THAN EVER BEFORE OFFERED IN GEORGIA. will pay every man to call and know what th Leader’s prices are before purchasing. You will al~ ways find it will be money in your pocket if even you do not buy from him. BENSON needs every dollar that is due him and the only way to shun these hated duns is to pay at'once All debts not settled by the 25th of Dec-, will ha placed for collection in my attorney’s hands. BENSON is patient, but it must be borne in mind that he has debts to pay. No honest man can conscientiously speculate on BENSONS money by holding his cotton and not pay ing his honest debts. Pay your debts so that those you, e can pay theirs.