The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-09-29

peopte OF the jnion- This strong e1-
preston vas called forth by the national
expenditures for the year 1875, which
amounted to $4,000 0oo-a situation which
In the opi'.ioa OF a majority of our peo-
pie. justified an imperative demand for
reform in the administration of public
affairs. AS the expenditures of the last
fiscal year amounted To the enormous
total OF SSs. Geo. ii is evident that q
thorough Investigation OF the public serv-
Ice and the immediate abandonment Of
useless and extravagant expenditures are
more necessary now than they were then
This astounding increase is out OF all
proportion to the increase of our popula-
ton and finds excuse from whatever
aspect We view the situation. The M
Gonai Democratic platform declares that
large reductions can easily be made in
the annual expenditures of the govern
ment without iuapairing the efficiency of
any branch of the public service" Can
there be any doubt of the accuracy Of
this statement? Between the expendi.
lures OF the year lsSS. amounting to sea-
0oo, 900. and those of the last fiscal year
the seventh after Grover Cleveland ceas-
ed to be president-aggregatin $50 0O CO.,
there Is difference 50 great as to excite
alarm In the breasts of all thoughtful
men. Even excluding the sum of 10000
600 paid for the Panama canal rights and
to the state of Panama, the expenditures
of the last fiscal year exceeded the sum
OF 1900. 600. being more than double the
expenditures of the government for all
purposes during the first year of Mr.
Cleveland's administration
The expenses of the first four years sue
ceeding the last Democratic administ-a-
ton amounted to the enormous average
OF SSH. 900 600 per year This large ex-
penditure was due to considerable ex-
tent to the cost OF the Spanish American
war. which occurred during that period.
But the termination Of that war brought
no relief to the treasury. for the average
annual expenses of the government dur
ing the three subsequent years ending
June 30. 1904. were about $519. 600 900. which
Is the largest sum hitherto reached dur
ing like period since the close OF the
civil war
This draft upon the rexe nues of the
country has had the effect which might
have been anticipated. and now we have
presented the reverse of the situation.
which led to the famous observation. 1T
Is condition and not theory which
confronts u.s." for. although the present
incumbent found at the close of the first
fiscal year during which he assumed con-
troll OF the administrator a surplus of re-
ceipts over expenditures of more than
$N 100000. there was an excess of ex-
pendftures over receipts at the close Of
the last fiscal year OF 81. 000. 900. and the
official monthly reports made by the
treasury department snow tnat the eX-
pcnditures are continuously and rapidly
increasing. while the receipts are dimin-
fishing.
In this connection 1t Is interesting to
note the recent administrative orders for
bidding government officers from making
public any statement Of estimates on
which future appropriations are to be
based
If a man OF ordinary Intelligence and
prudence should find In the operating ex-
penses of his business such 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 1t, especially when
trusted employees have been found dis
honest and convicted and a widespread
impression exists that a thorough investi-
cation may discover other cases Of mall
feasance? When the chief executive re-
ported to congress that Through frauds,
forGerfes and perjuries and by shameless
briberies the laws relating to the proper
conduct of the public service In general
and to the due administration Of the post
office department have been notoriously
violated there was a general popu-
lar demand for a rigid, sweeping investi-
CATION by congress in addition to that un-
dertaken by the executive himself. Such
an investigation the Republican majority
In congress would not permit although
the minority insisted that the interests Of
good government demanded 1t. And the
minority was right The liberality, pa
triotism and national pride of the people
should not be made An excuse for waste
Of the public funds. Official extravaganza
is official crime.
There Is not sentence in the Repub-
lican platform recommending Il reduction
in the expenditures of the government
not line suggesting that the Increase in
the cost of the war department from $3i.-
O00 ono In 1SRk. 81 Ia on N 1904 should q
inquired into. and not a paragraph calling
for thorough investigation of those
departments of the government In which
dishonesty has been recently disclosed.
The people, however can by their votes.
II they desire it, order such an investiga-
ton and inaugurate policy of economy
and retrenchment. 1t is safe to say that
this will not be accomplished by indors-
ing at the polls the Republican majority
Of the house of representatives which re-
fused the investigation and made the ap-
preparations. nor by continuing in power
the administration which made the dis
bursements.
Reform tn expenditures must be had In
both the civil. military and naval estab-
lishments in order that the national ex-
penditures may be brought to basis of
peace and the government maintained
without recourse to the taxes of war.
Conclusion.
I have put aside a congenial work. to
which 1 had expected to devote my life.
in order to assume as bestI can the re-
probabilities your convention put upon me-
1 solicit the cordial cooperation and
generous assistance of every man who
Believes that a change of measures and
OF men at this time would be wise. and
urge harmony of endeavor as well as
vigorous action on the part Of all so
minded.
The issues are joined and the people
must render the verdict.
Shall economy Of administration be de-
manded or shall extravaganza be encour-
aged?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought to "a,
by the people, or must Justice walt upon
political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for equal
opportunity or for special privilege?
ghall II remain n government OF law or
bscome one of Individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the people.
or shall we embrace benefccnt despotism
With calmness and confidence we await
the peoples verdict.
II called to the ONCE OF president I
shall consider myself the chief magistrate
OF all the people and not of any faction
and shall ever be mindful Of the fact that
on many questions OF national policy
there are honest differences of opinion. I
believe in the patriotism. good sense and
absolute sincerity of all the people.
shall strive to remember that he may
serve his party best who serves his cors
try best.
II II be the wish of the people tnat
undertake the duties of the presidency
pledge myself. with Gods help. to devote
all my powers and energy to the duties of
this exalted ONCE. Very truly yours.
ALTON b. PARKER
The Southern Railway South oil
Washington has just put on it's first
installment of new passenger engines