The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-07-26
Mr.. BENTON'S protest
Strikes a Hard Blow at an TX
trayagaHt Congress.
THE PEOPLES WILL IGNORED.
De emOcratic and Republican Philippine
Policies COntrasted.

Representative Benton OF Missouri
who is leading member of the Com
mittee on Appropriations, reviewing
the work of Congress, has called at
tention in vigorous way to the enor-
nous expenses OF the Government
under the Republican administration.
He says:
"The population of the country
shows no phenomenal increase; the
commercial interests OF the country
furnish no adequate reason forswelling
expenditures. The administration
claims that the Philippine war -
over, that the army has been serious
ly decreased We are at peace Yes
the appropriations for the coming
fiscal year are increased by $40, 0OO,-
600 and the promissory notes Of theN
Government are given for $3.50, 600, (,
600 more.
Attention has been called to GER
tain legislation of Congress which has
been enacted by the Republicans, ana
it is paraded as being virtuous. This
legislation comprises the repeal OF
part Of the Spanish war taxes. A
Panama canal lawsuit has been given
us instead Of the Nicaragua canal
route, which this House passed auu
the people want; Philippine govern
ment bin has been passed which does
not give civil government to those
unfortunate people, No voice is
gwen the people Of the archipelago in
their legislation, Why? Because the
bill provides native legislature with
restricted powers only, and when a
census is made, after two years Of
peace, and then when convenient after
such census.
"True to its party history, the Re
publican party has passed bill ex-
tending and enlarging the power OF
national banks, which the people
have not asked. A permanent CEN
sus bureau has been made to provide
places for regiment of officeholders.
''But the great Republican party,
paradlng its full dinner pail with
strikes and lockouts in every section
to the cor ntry), has failed and re-
fused to provide legislation to strife
trusts, has declined to meet the de-
mand Of the people for a revised tariff
preferring to expend 10 needless and
wasteful appropriations the taxes
wrung from the people,"
"We have authorized the building
OF battle ships to cost sls, ,306, 900 aud
$4,000, 600 more 10 armor and equip
them for sea service. Only one gov
ernment on this earth today is as well
for sea service in war (and
that very friendly power) as we,
yet we burden the taxpayers with
$50, 900, 900 for new war vessels. All
this on top Of sSO,OOOO 600 worth Of
vessels in process Of construction.
We appropriated outright S2,627,-
224 AZ for the Military Academy aud
prepare to follow il with s4,OOO,OOc
more.
This congress appropriates s4,2,2,-
2S9 S3 to reimburse certain Northern
states for interest on expenditures
during the civil war, despite the fact
that the auditing officers OF the gov
ernment refuse to concede these
claims More, this is done without
fair, free, full OF any consideration in
c mmitIee Plain, unyarnished words
are necessary here, Mr.. Speaker.
Jugglino with figures shall not be
permitted to conceal truth The
cold FACTS are that we have appro-
priated ssOO,l95,OOO 10 cash, and
have tulher pledged the Government
10 way that will be considered be-
tween business men as our promissory
note for $3.50, ,OoO 900 more, and which
must be met and will be met at fur
ther sessions q congress
The dem cratsare attacked because
we refused to vote fur 1900 600 for
permanent barracks n the Phillip
pines. VIII Because We know it
Is only he beainning Of III immense