The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-05-30

work and further contracts, and which
portend largely increased expenditures
and obligations.
There ls no ground to hope that in
the face ot persistent and growing de-
mands tho aggregate OF appropriations
for tho smaller schemes not covered by
contracts will be reduced or even re-
main stationary. For the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1898, such approprta-
tions, together with the instalmGIfs on
contracts which Will fail due in that
year, can hardly be less than thirty
millions Of dollars: and It may rea-
sonably be apprehended. that the preva-
lent tendency towards increased eX-
pendltures OF this sort and the con-
cealment which postponed payments
afford for extravaganza, Will Increase
the burden ChaTgcable 60 this account
in succeeding years. In view OF the OBJ
legation imposed upon me by the con-
stitution It seems 10 me quite clear that
only discharge a duty 10 our people
when interpose my disapproYal Of tho
legislation proposed.
Many Of the objects for which IT ap~
propriates public money are not re-
lated to the public welfare. and many
OF them are palpably for the benefit
of the limited localities or in aid OF In
dividual interests.
Charges Extravaganza.
On the face Of the bill 1t appears that
not q few OF these alleged improve
ments have been so improvidenty
planned and prosecuted that after an
uuwlse expenditure of millions Of doll
lars, new experiments for their ac-
complIshment have been entered upon.
While those entrusted with the man
agemsnt OF public funds in the interest
of all the people can hardly justify
questionable expenditures for public
work by pleading the opinions OF en-
g!neerS or others as to the practicabllity
Of such work, 1t appears that some OF
the projects for which appropriations
are proposed In this bill have been
entered upon without the approval or
against the objections OF the examining
engineers.
learn from official sources that there
are appropriations contained in the bill
10 nay for work which private parties
have actually agreed with the govern
ment to do in consideration with their
occupancy OF public property.
Whatever items of doubtful propriety
may have escaped observation or may
have been tolerated In previous eXecu-
tive approvals OF similar bills. ! am
convinced that the bill now under con-
sideration opens the way TO insldious
and Increasing iabuses, and is in ITSELF
so CxtravnEnnt as to be especially IN
suited to these times Of depressed busi-
ness and resulting disappointment in
government revenue. This considera-
tlon is emphasized by the prospect that
the public treasury will be confronted
with other appropriations made at the
present session OF Congress amounting
10 more than five hundred millions OF
dollars.
IndiN iduaf economy and careful ex-
pendlture are sterling virtues which
lead 10 thrift and comfort. Economy
and the exaction Of clear justification
for the appropriation of public moneys
by the servants OF the people are not
Only virtues. but solemn obligations.
To the extent that the appropriations
contained In this bill are instigated
by private interests and to promote
local or Individual projects, their al
lowance cannot fail to stimulate
vicious paternalIsm and 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
10 which they are realized may furnish
an estimate OF the value Of govern
mental care.