Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-17
"A NATION NOT PINCIIED.
New York Tribune.

sSs New York Tribune u
Some men need to open their eyes
and realize that this Is not q pauper
country Economy Is excellent when 1t
lis not crime or a disgrace. But in
these days the argument OF economy Is
used often with mistaken honesty, no.
doubt, but also at times with knavishi
intent, to prevent expenditures for
which the government and the people
are amply provided. Whether the obs
|jecttis Wise or unwise, ~ Their the mos
tive Is the best or not. the argument is
nothing better than an unworthy ap-
peal to ignorant prejudice. If there Is
anything which the government may
wisely do for the welfare of the peo-.
pie 1t is folly to claim that 1t Is not
able or that they cannot bear the bur-
den. fit Is proposed to set up costly
works for the MANUFACTURES Of armor
plates. for instance. there is sense in
asking whether the government would
get the best results in that way, but
none in pretending that the govern
nent is not ahundantly able or that the
people are not ready and willing to.
pay for them. II men reason that a
Pacific cable or isthmian canal should
be created. owned and controlled by
the government, there may be many
sound and sufficient answers pro and
con, but II certainly is not one to say
that the country cannot bear the ex-l
pense
This nation OF 10000. 900 people more
or less is today better able to spend
$500, 900 900 than 1t was thirty years ago
with half the population to spend $780,
100000. Its wealth has increased more
than threefold, from 100000. 100000 to
over 10000 100000. Its people are far
more fully employed, earning
much better wages and are
more secure and independent in
their industries, with ma
tional credit such as ito power pos
sesses. The nation has measure of
|Econtrol in the worlds finances which
nobody expected thirty Years ago this
Iscountry would attain. 1t was able in
1870 o5pay over 50 for every inhabitant
| as interest on the public debt. but 1t
would be much lighter burden today
to pay the interest on debt of ST.;
l80O0,000,00 900, and not even the widest
scheme Of national defense or develops.
ment would call for any such sum. The
worlds financiers would tumble over
one another in their haste to get United
States bonds at a rate paying less than
3 per cent, but the people themselves
would take care that not many such.
bonds would go beyond their borders.
Abundance of resources is not a rea-l
son for wastefulness. But IL the ma
lstion needs anything for its security
and its peace, whether 1t be in n cable,
a canal or navy greater than that o.
any other nation, it is able to meet the
cost without the slightest difficulty.
The question is, and always ought to.
be, only one of the wisdom OF an ex
pense proposed. Security against in
jury of any kind comes in large meas
ure from the geographical position of
the nation and its proved strength on
land. When the nation numbered not
a third OF its present population it was.
able to place and keep in the field for
years two great armies fighting each
other; and three times their united.
strength no other power would make
haste TO attack. But defence OF COM
merce and of honor in distant parts OF
the world needs now, and has needed
from the first. a strong and ready navy.
and swift communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts and all
isoutiying possessions.
great battleship costs 100000.
| more or less. "A canal would make ten
LOT them worth wellnigh as much as
Twenty would be worth now, and would
|: pay for itself besides. a cable securely
i@controlied Al Every point by the United
States would multiply the powerSof the
navy, and would pay for itself besides.
Whether such Improvements should be
Entrusted 10 the construction and man
Yagement Of corporations may be- dis
lEcussed on other grounds with more or
Hess of reason, but cannot be discussed
with reason for an instant on the plea
that the nation cannot afford the ex-
pense. a nation which is adding to It's
wealth in a year 5000, 100000 or $1,000
100000 is not pinched in its expenditure
Isby lack Of money.
tS53f
Stop that caugh right away wit
4 Mull's Lightning Cough Cure; 25 cents