The 'Ring' and the Rot: A 1872 Call for Municipal Reform

The present financial condition of our county demands the serious consideration of every good citizen. Less than ten years ago it was entirely free from debt. Since that time it has constantly and rapidly increased in population, wealth, and importance until it now ranks among the foremost in the territory. And what is our financial condition? For the enormous taxes we have paid, we have a few impractical roads and two small bridges together with a jail (not yet paid for) which a late Grand Jury reported as out of repair. I must not omit noticing the report of the select Committee of the same Grand Jury, composed of a shrewd financier, a sharp merchant, and an honest farmer, who discovered a splendid set of books, nicely ruled and kept by a very gentlemanly and communicative auditor, who explained to them all the intricacies of bookkeeping so clearly that in an examination of only seventeen and one-half minutes they discovered that everything was correct, while to have verified the same work would have taken a competent accountant at least a calendar month. In addition to the dilapidated jail and splendidly ruled books, we have an interest-bearing debt of $12,000 to $20,000 and a large delinquent tax list. The 'Ring' has ruled long enough and those whose adherence to party is worth just one term more, and who from the spoils and emoluments of office can afford to subsidize whisky shops and to buy votes and voters to secure a continuance in office, had better take a back seat.