Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-24

- 60
Governor Flovr tries to argue that they
are good things. but time will not ADMIT
OF my taking up the subject.
GOVERNMENTAL EXTRAVAGANCE.
AS to extravaganza in governmental
management under Republican rule as
compared with that OF Democratic, II
has always been a pleasure TO me 10
make. the contrast. During the nrst
seventy years OF the nations history
when it was under Democratic rule, the
average annual per capita tax for gov
ernmental expenses was about N.to.
whilst we have had an average tax OF
nearly $3.50 under Republican rule, and
for the last few years 1t has exceeded
81 per capita on every man, woman, and
child in the United States, and when We
compare States that have been under
Democratic rule with those that are COM
trolled by the Republicans, we find the
contrast equally as favorable TO Democ-
racy. We can safely assert that the
Democratic party has been party Tor
the people and low taxes and plenty OF
circulating money, whilst the Republican
party has been the advocate OF high
taxes. the fosterer OF trusts. and the OPP
pressor OF the people. and In this lies
the secret OF the partiality OF the Ameri-
can people for the grand old Democratic
party. Ii has almost always received
a majority of the votes Of the American
people. OUTLYING all parties. and receiving
at each succeeding election proof OF the
confidence of the people in showing Ii
has increased In strength with the
nations growth. In 1898 II gave Andrew
Jackson CA, 26l votes, twenty-four years
later nS52) the people gave Breckenridge
and Douglass 2,Si0,5ei votes. They gave
Cleveland lin 1880 4.49l,ol7 In 1883 they
gave Mr.. Cleveland 5,540,329, and In
1896. 6.5oS,6 freemen cast their vote for
William jennings Bryan. Truly, have
the people recognized the Democratic
party as their friend. and nobly do they
stand by 1T. as 1t has ever stood by
them.
ECONOMY IN STATE AFFAIRS.
In regard to the State Government,
as l said In my speech at Roanoke: III
is a subject of congratulation that our
own affairs have been managed with
clean hands. but all must admit there
Is a demand for the greatest economy,
and every energy of the Executive and
legislative branches OF the government
must be exercised 10 bring about need
ed changes to suit the times. To the
performance OF my part Of this duty
feel solemnly pledged, and my interest
as taxpayer will impel me to jealous
work on this line of duty, even If i
had not the best interest of all the peo-
pie at heart. 1t shall be my hope and
prayer to have Democracy prove under
the incoming administration that it has
lost none OF it's zeal in battling for the
interest OF all the people. Thank Godl
1t is a peoples party Ii was born In
the home of the humble, not in the
palaces Of the rich. Its protecting arm
has ever been around the poor and
needy, and not beneath the strong and
the great. IT has always been a party
of the people. From the dawn OF our
national existence II has been their
champion and defender, and as has been
said, "Adown the highway Of the
century, II has come with fearless step
and lofty brow. bearing in its uplifted
arms tine sacred ark and covenant of
the Constitution of Madison and Jeffer-
SON."
Time and again its enemies have
preached its funeral and sung Ats re-
QUEEN; but 1t has lived TO see the death
OF all the parties that have opposed 1t
I'm the past. For more than a hundred
years it has stood and battled with The
storm of State, but time has not bowed
its great strength; not dimmed its glori-
Gus vision. The beauty of truth Is still
upon its banner, and the freshness Of
the morning In it's heart. Like all human
organizations, it has made its mistakes,
and like all human organizations, ii
may perish and pass away; but when
IL dies, if die It must. its grave will be
the grand mausoleum Of the silent CEN
turtles. in which the giories of the ma
ton will be entombed. Such a party
cannot die as long as the spirit OF IL
berty lives 1t is not founded on the
shifting sands Of popular caprice which
the remorseless tide of time will wash
away. but it is gloriousy enshrined in
the hearts of the people and interviewer
in the preservation Of their dearest Ii