The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-08-14
PUBLIC FUNDS WAsTED.
Some Reasons Why Times Are
Hard and Taxes high
The Expensive Pleasure Junket o
Gen. Miles a Case in PoInt-Mem-
Ories of 0Bsector
Holman.

Especial washington letter.
Having begun to tell the truth. it is
Just as well to go ahead and tell the
whole truth.
Very few Washington correspondents
tell oil they know, for many reasons
In the first place, the editor don't be
ieve it can be possible that such things
should be. In the next place, the Wash
ington correspondent soon becomes
conservative, for he finds that public
men do not like to have the whole truth
told; and unless he is IL favor with pub
lie men he cannot get much news. Il
he cannot get news in abundance he
cannot get a good salary, and he may
even be discharged. And nobody, not
even Washington correspondent, likes
the curtailment of his bread and butter.
It is a matter of personal knowledge
with me, as a result OF years of close
observation, that for a long time the
government Of the United States has
been extravagantly administered. That
Is a matter of knowledge. 1t Is my in
diyidual opinion that the government
has for years been ~corruptly admin
istered, and, when we have gone clear
through the subject during the next
few weeks, you will probably reach the
same conclusion.
As a practical illustration, let as
make note of the fact that Mai. Gen.
Miles recently went to Europe at the
expense Of the government to inyesti-
gate the military systems of the old
world. Before starting he drew 81, 900
for expenses. How would yon like to be
able to go into the national treasury
and draw $4,000 for a trip through Eu-
rope and start off, knowing that there
nre many other thousands which you
may draw when you need them2
Make note also of the fact that Gen.
Miles paid $500 for palatial apartments
on the steamer which took him across
the ocean Think of it! He spent the
sum of $500 in a little more than five
days, and the money was taken out
of the treasury of the whole people
of this republic. They say that it is
necessary for the general command
ing the army of the United States to
travel in great style, or else people of
other countries would say that we are
still backNyoodsmen.
What do we care what people say
of us? If our money was not stolen
from us under various plausible pre-
texts we would have a rich and power
full government, and no nation on Garth
would want to tackle us as back
wooGsmen," either in the peaceful
walks Of life or on the tented field OF
warfare. 1t is that feeling Of patriotic
pride that has enabled men in pIblic
life, of every political party, to induce
US to permit extravaganza in public ex-
penditures; ~extravagance which has
brought upon people individual
hardship and the humiliation of a bank
rupt national treasury.
Before taking up other subjects let
us make note of the fact that Gen. Miles
has with him a captain of the regular
army as a military aid; and also a pri-
vate secretary. Inasmuch as the gem
eral has nothing to do but take a pleas
ure trip, what need has he Of an aid in
doing nothing? The captains salary
goes on, and all of his expenses must be
paid; and you and l are paying all of
the expenses.
Gen. Miles has rendered bis country
splendid services. He went into the vel
unteer army in 1861 and has served in
many campaigns. He is the best In
dian fighter of this generation, and too
much cannot be said in praise of his