Although the fact was subsequently developed that a small increase in the bonded debt of the State could not very well be avoided, yet, after careful deliberation, the plan agreed upon was to materially increase the rate of taxation.
This proved to be so unpopular that it came near losing the Legislature to the Republicans at the elections of 1871.

Although it was explained to the people that this increase was only temporary and that the rate of taxation would be reduced as soon as some of the schoolhouses had been built, and some of the public institutions had been repaired, still this was not satisfactory to those by whom these taxes had to be paid.

They insisted that some other plan ought to have been adopted, especially at that time.

The War had just come to a close, leaving most of the people in an impoverished condition.

What was true of the public institutions of the State was equally true of the private property of those who were property owners at that time.