The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-06-06

our people when | interposa my dis
approval Of the legislation proposed.
Many Of the objects for which ii APP
propriates public money arc not re-
lated to the public welfare, aud many
of them are palpahly-for the benefit OF
limited localities or in aid Of indiyid-
ual interests.
On the face of the bill il appears
that few of these alleged improve.
men,s have been 30 improvidenlly
planned and prosecuted that after al
uuwise expenditure of millions OF
dollars, new experiments for their &C
complishment have been entered, upon.
While those entrusted with the man.
agement of public funds in the inter-
est of all the people can hardly Justify
questionable expenditures for public
work by pleading the opinions of en-
gineers or others as to the practical
biliiy of such work, il appears that
some of the projects for which appro-
priations are proposed in this bill
have been entered upon without the
approval or against tho objections of
the examining engineers. l learn
from official sources that there are ap-
preparations contained in tie bill to
pay for work which private parties
have actually agreed with the govern
ment to do, in consideration Of their
occupancy of public property.
Whatever it was of doubtful propri-
city may have escaped observation or
may have been tolerated in previous
executive approvals of similar bills,
am convinced that the bill now under
consideration opeus the way to insid-
ions aud increasing abuses and in it,
self so extrayagapt as 10 DO especially
unsuited to these times OF depressed
business and resulting disappointment
in government revenue. This consid-
Grafton is emphasized by the prospect
that the public treasury will be con-
fronted with other appropriations
made at the present session of Con-
gress amounting 10 more than FIVE
hundred millions of dollars.
Individual economy and careful ex-
penditure are sterling virtues which
lead to thrift and comfort. Economy
and the exacton of clear justification
for the appropriation ofpublic moneys
by the servants OF the people are not
only virtues but solemn obligations.
To the extent that the appropria-
lions contained in this bill are insti-
gated by private interests and pro.
mote local or individual projects, their
allowance cannot fail TO stimulate o
vicious paternalism aud encourage a
sentiment among our people, already
too prevalent, that their attachment TO
our government may properly rest
upon the hope and expectation of
direct and especial favors and that
the extent TO which they are realized
may furnish al estimate of The value
of governmental share.
| believe no greater danger con-
fronts US as a nation that the unhappy
decadence among our people of genu-
inc and trustworthy love and affection
for our government as the embodi-
ment of the highest and best aspira-
tons of humanity and not as the giver
of gifts and because its mission is the
enforcement of exact justice and
equality and not the allowance of un-
fair favorism.
| hope may be permitted to sug-
gest at a tine when the issue of gov
eminent bonds to maiutain the credit
and financial standing of a country is
q subject OF criticism, that the con-
tracts provided for iu this bill would
create obligations OF the United. States
amounting TO sixty-two millions Of
dollars, no less binding than its bonds
for that sum.