The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1904-10-01

~istration amounted to the enormous
average OF ssh, 600, 900 per year. This
large expenditure was due to a consid-
cradle extent to the cost of the Span
ish-American war, which occurred
during that period; but the termina-
ton of that wal brought no relief to
the treasury, for the average annual ex-
penses of the government, during the
three subsequent years ending June
80, 1904, were about $4,000 900.
which is the largest sum hitherto
reached, during a like period, since
the close of the civil war.
This draft upon the revenues of the
country has had the effect which might
have been anticipated, and now we
have presented the reverse Of the sit
uation, which led to the famous OBJ
servatiou: "It Is a condition, and not
a theory, which confronts u.s." for.
although the present incumbent found
at the close of the first fiscal year,
during which he assumed control OF
the administration, a surplus Of re-
ceipts over expenditures of more than
$91, 600, 900, there was an excess Of
expenditures over receipts at the close
Of the last fiscal year Of $42.000,0 900,
and the official monthly reports made
by the treasury department show that
the expenditures are continuously and
rapidly increasing, while the receipts
are diminishing.
In this connections It Is interesting
to note the recent administrative or
ders forbidding government officers
from making public any statement OF
estimates on which future appropria-
tions are to be based.
If a man of ordinary intelligence
and prudence should inu in the oper-
atlng expenses Of his business such a
tremendous percentage Of increase.
would he not promptly set on foot an
inquiry for the cause of the waste.
and take immediate measures to stop
it, especially when trusted employees
have been found dishonest and con-
victed, and a widespread impression
exists that a thorough investigation
may discover other cases of malfeas-
ance? When the chief executive re-
ported to congress that, through
frauds, forgeries and perjuries, and
by shameless briberies, the laws re-
lating to the proper conduct Of the
public service in general, and to the
due administration Of the post Office
department have been VIGOROUSLY vio-
lated = y " there was a general
popular demand for a rigid, sweeping
investigation by congress, in addition
to that undertaken by the executive
himself. Such an investigation the re-
not permit, although the minority In
sisted that the interests of good gov
eminent demanded 1t. And the minor
ity was right. The liberality, patriot
ism and national pride Of the people
should not be made an xcu for
waste of the public funds. Official ex-
.travagance is official crime.
There is not a sentence in the re-
publican platform recommending 3 re-
duction in the expenditures Of the
government; not a line suggesting
the increase in the cost OF the
war department from $34,0 900, 900 in
1886 to Sis, 900, 900 in 1904 should
be inquired into; and not a paragraph
for a thorough investigation Of
those departments Of the government
in which dishonesty has been recently
disclosed.
Conclusion.
The people, however, can by their
votes, if they desire 1t, order such an
Investigation and inaugurate a policy
Of economy and retrenchment. 1t Is
safe to say that this will not be ae-
by indorsing at the polls
the republican majority Of the house
Of representatives which refused the
investigation and made the appro-
priations, nor by continuing in power
the administration which made the
disbursements.
Reform in expenditures must be had
in both the civil, military and naval
establishments in order that the ma.
tional expenditures may be brought
to a basis of peace and the govern
ment maintained without ecourse to
The taxes of war.
l. nave PUt oAN NOASShAoA WI ~
10 which / had expected to devote my
life, in order to assume, as best 1 can.
the responsibilities your convention
upon me.
1 solicit the cordial cooperation and
generous assistance of every man who
that a change of measures and
men at this time would be wise, and
urge harmony of endeavor as well as
action on the part of all so
The issues are Joined anu the peo-
lie must render the verdict.
Shall economy Of administration be
demanded or shall extravaganza be en-
outraged?
Shall the w~rongdoer be brought to
,ay by the people. or must justice wait
lpon political oiigarchy?
Shall our government stand for
quail opportunity or for special privi.
eye?
Shall it remain a government of law
II become n of individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the
or shall we embrace beneicent