Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-27
ROBBERY. ROBBERY.
WASTE 500, 100000 PER YEAR.
Some Republican Evidence.

We publish the following special from Wasl
ington to the Des Moines Register, the leadin
Republican paper of Iowa. We make no cen
ment-it speaks for itself:
WASHINGTON, Jan. I4.-(SpeciaD: Benjs
ming Harrison wrote very interesting boo
about "This Country of Ours" but he did nc
tell the whole truth. He ought to have state
the fact that we have had but few president
and Legislators honest enough to be courageou
or courageous enough to be honest.
Benjamin Harrison has had his career, an
he could not have lost anything by telling tn
whole Truth. On the contrary, if the full trutl
were told by such man. by one who has bee
prominent in both the Legislative and executive
branches of the government, it would have hat
great weight with the people.
The full truth about "This Country of Ours
is that the people have almost no voice in thei
own government, although they think they al,
running it. Moreover, inasmuch as the gov
ernment is in the hands of the rich and tn,
great, in the pomp and pride of their worldly
estate, the people are being robbed light ant
left, and before their very eyes.
Do you know of any business man in any
city or village who would pay salary of 81 ,ooc
per annum to a book keeper when he could gel
man perfectly capable to perform the work
for 5000 per annum?
Is there a business man in any city or village
who would pay an annual salary of $4,000 for
the services of man who would be willing to
work for So ,ooo and do the work Just as well?
Can you imagine that such an absurdlty could
exist?
Well, that is what "This Country of Ours"
is doing all the time The people are being
over-taxed and, therefore, robbed, by reason
OF the fact that many of their public servants
are paid more than double what would be nec-
essary to pay for an economic administration of
federal affairs.
Senators and representatives pass appropria-
ton bills, and presidents sign those bills, for
the disbursement of hundreds of millions of
dollals annually, because the alleged statesmen
and chief executives are not honest enough to
be courageous or courageous enough 10 be hon
est.
For example, there are 20, 1000 postoffces in
the money-order and presidential classes. The
salaries of these Offices run from 5000 to $6 900
per annum and they are sought after vigorous
ly by men who could rot earn as much money
in their usual vocations. 1t is demon
strated that the 90 900 postoffices of the money
order and presidential classes pay an average of
81 900 each. 1t is also demonstrated that, as
an average, these postofices could be admins
tered for half that amount of money. If you
give away, simply as gracious gift, $500 per
annum to 30, 900 political workers, you are Civ
ing away total Of 1900, 900 every year on
the postoffices alone.
During the past ten years, the people have;
been taxed to pay out 500, ,ooo, 900 unnecessa-
rily for salaries Of postmasters.
But this is not all-it is only sample There
are assistant postmasters, chiefs of divisions
and heads of bureaus who receive double the
amount of money for which their services, or
the services of men as good, can be obtained.
Take one isolated case. There is man to.
day working for 5000 per annum in one of the
departments at Washington who is glad to hold
his position at that salary, because he could not
earn that much money outside of the govern
ment service; and yet, he drew $a, 900 per an.
mum as a chief of division during the Cleve-
land administration, because he had political
influence to secure him the fat place. He has
been reduced to 5000 clerkship, and is very
glad that he was net thrown out upon the world
to cain living. It is needless to hulniliate