Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-05-21
VOL. XXXIIl.
CLEVELAND ON CONGRESS.
He Speaks of its Billion-DOl1ar
Extravaganza and Other
Acts.

BUFFALO, N. Y, May 13.-Ex.
President Grover Cleveland deliv-
cred an address last night at the
Cleveland Democratic Club, in
which be said:
Il believe the most threatening
figure which to day stands in the
way of the safety of our govern
ment and the happiness of our peo-
is reckless and wicked extrava-
gance in our public expenditures.
1t is the most fatal of all the dead
ly brood born of governmental
perversion. 1t hides beneath lis
wings the betrayal of the peoples
trusts and holds powerless in its
fascinating glance the peoples
will and conscience. 1t brazenly
exhibits to-day a Billion. Dollar
Congress. But lately a large sur
plus remained in the peoples pub
lie Treasury after meeting all ex-
penditures, then by no means ece-
nomlcal. This condition was pre-
sented to the American people as
positive proof that their burden of
taxation was unjust because unnec-
essary; and yet while the popular
protest is still heard the harpy of
public extravaganza devours the
surplus and impudently calls upon
its staggering victims to bring still
larger supplies within the reach of
its insatiate appetite. A few short
years ago pension-roll amounting
to s53 900, 600 was willingly main.
tanned by our patriotic citizens.
To.day public extravaganza de-
crees that three times that sum
shall be drawn from the people,
upon the pretext that its expendi-
ture represents the popular love of
the soldier. Not many years ago
a river and harbor bill appropriat-
ing 81, ,OO0,O gave rise to loud
and popular protest. Now, public
extravaganza commands an appro-
priation of s22, 600 COO for the same
purposes, and the people are si-
lent. To-day millions are paid for
bare-faced subsidy, and this is ap-
proved or condoned at the behest
of public extravaganza, and thus a
new marauder is turned loose,
which, in company with it's vicious
tariff partner, bears piltered bene-
fit to the households of favored,
selfish interests.
We need not prolong the details.
Turn where we will, we see the
advance of this devouring and de-
structive creature.
Our Democratic faith teaches US
that useless exaction of money
from the people upon the false
pretext of public necessity is the
worst of all governmental perver.
sions, and involves the greatest of
all dangers to our guarantees of
justice ana equity. We need not
unlearn this lesson to apprehend
the fact that behind such action,
and as it's source of existence, is
found public extravaganza. The
ak will not be laid at the root of
the unwholesome tariff tree with
its vicious inequality and injustice
until we reach and destroy its pa
rent and support.
But the growth of public ex-
travagance in these latter days, and
it's unconcealed and dreadful mani
festations, force US to the contem-
plation of other crimes, of which
it is undoubtedly guilty, besides
unjust exactions from the people.
Our government is so ordained
that its life-blood flows from the
virtue and patriotism of our peo-
pie, and its health and strength
depend upon the integrity and
faithfulness of their public serv-
ants. If these are destroyed our
government, if it endures, will en-
dure only in name, failing to bless
those for whom it was created and
failing in it's mission as an exam
pie to mankind.
Public extravaganza in its rela-
ton to inequitable tariff laws not
only lays an unjust tribute upon
the people, but is responsible for
unfair advantages bestowed upon
special and favored interests as the
price of partisan support. Thus
the exercise of the popular will for
the benefit of the country at large
is replaced by sordid and selfish
motives directed to personal ad-
vantage, while the encouragement
of such motives in public place for
party ends deadens the official con-
SCIENCE"
Several large receptions were
given Mr.. Cleveland during his
visit to Buffalo.