Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-09-29

entitled TO pension. wiz they authoIi>
yey sta we 'S aeeep see x. ssa to
''This suggests the suspicion. at least.
that the order was made TO create IA
issue-that II was supposed to present
a strong strategic position In the bat
OF that order was. in my Judgment. an
attempted. though perhaps unwilling.
encroachment upon the legislative power.
and, therefore. unwarranted by the
II elected, 1 will revoke that order. But
70 further and say that that being
done, l will contribute my effort toward
the enactment OF law TO be passed by
both houses OF congress and approved by
the executive that will give an age pen
sion without reference to disability to the
surviving heroes OF the civil war; ana
under the provisions OF which a pension
may be accepted with dignity because OF
the consciousness that II comes as JUST
representatives, and not as largess dis
tributed by the chief executive. :,
Reform in Governmental Expend1-
lures.
"Twenty-eight years have passed since
the democratic party OF the state OF
New York In convention assembled, recon-
mended 10 the national democracy the
nomination of Samuel j. Tilden as lis can.
didate for the presidency, and declared II
to be their settled conviction that re-
turn to the constitutional principles. fru-
gal expenses and administrative purity
OF the founders OF the republi Is the hrst
and most imperious duty OF the times-the
commanding issue now before the people
of the union Thisstrong expression was
called forth by the national expenditures
for the year 1875. which amounted to $2l4,-
OO0.cO0-a situation which, in the opinion
Imperative demand for reform in the ad-
minstration Of public affairs. AS the ex-
penditures Of the last fiscal year amounts
ed TO the enormous total OF soS2.Oov.o"; II
In evident that q thorough investigation
OF the public service and the immedlnte
abandonment Of useless and extravagant
expenditures are more necessary now than
they were then. This astounding In
crease is out of all proportion to the In
crease OF our population. ana mos no no
situation. The national democratic plat
form declares that large reductions can
easily be made In the annual expenditures
OF the government without impairing the
Ice Can there be any doubt OF the aecu-
racy OF this statement? Between the ex-
penditures OF the year 1856, amounting 10
s2i2 O00. 900. and those Of the last fiscal year
the seventh after Grover G!eve ian
100000, there Is a difference 80 great as
to excite alarm In the breasts of all
thoughtful men. Even excluding the sum
Of $50 1000 paid for the Panama canal
rights, and to the state Of Panama, the
Expenditures Of the last fiscal year exceed
ed the sum of 1892 100000. being more than
double the expenditures of the government
for all purposes during the first year OF
Mr.. Clevc!and's administration.
1.-The expenses Of the first four years sue
ceeding the last democratic administra-
ton amounted to the enormous average
Of SSH 900 900 per year. This large ex-
pendlture 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 70 the treasury. for the average
annual expenses Of the government. DUR
ing the three subsequent years ending Jure
80 1904, were about sJl9.000,000, 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 situation
which led to the famous observations: It
is a condition, and not theory, which
confronts u.s. for, although the present
fiscal year. during which he assumed con.
troll OF the ADMINISTRATION, surplus or
receipts over expenditures OF more than
SOL 100000, there was an excess OF expend-
lures over receipts at the close Of the last
fiscal year of s42.000000. and the official
monthly reports made by the treasury de-
partment show that the expenditures are
continuously and rapidly increasing, while
the receipts are diminishing.
I'm this connection Il Is Interesting to
forbidding government officers from
making public any statement Of esti-
mates on which future appropriations
are to be based.
prudence should find In the operating ex-
penses 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 1t, especially when
trusted employees have been found dis
honest and convicted. and a widespread
impression exists that thorough inves-
tigation may discover other cases OF
malfeasance? When the chief executive
frauds. forgeries and perjuries. and by
shameless briberies, the laws relating to
the proper conduct of the public service
in general. and to the due administration
VIGOROUSLY violated = > there was
general popular demand for a rigid.
sweeping investigation by congress, In
addition to that undertaken by the execu-
tive himself. Such an Investigation the
not permit, although the minority In
sisted that the interests Of good govern
ment demanded 1t. And the minority
was right. The lberality.. patriot
ism and national pride OF the people
OF the public funds. Official extravaganza
Is official crime.
There Is not q sentence In the repub-
lican platform recommending q reduc-
ton in the expenditures of the govern
ment; not a line suggesting that the In
crease In the cost of the war department
from $3i,0O0.0O0 in 1856 to Sis. 100000 In 1904
should be inquired into: and not a para
graph calling for n thorough investiga-
ton OF those departments OF the govern
ment in which dishonesty has been re-
Gently disclosed.
Reform in expenditures must be had
in both the CIVIL military and naval es-
Establishments in order that the national
expenditures may be brought to a basis
OF peace and the government maintained
without recourse TO the taxes OF war"
Conclusion.
Among other things which are touched
upon In the letter is the democratic pledge
TO secure to all citizens equal protection
abroad. The need OF careful diplomacy
In the management OF the foreign relations
Of the government, and the democratic
the government In conformity with the
principles laid down by Washington. The
need Of legislation in aid OF American ship
ping so that II may again be commensu-
rate with American commercial interests.
He pledges the democratic party to
wise and careful administration Of the ma
tional statutes concerning the irrigation
OF the arid lands OF the west, and In con-
clusion says:
s'The issues are Joined and the people
must render the verdict.
shall economy of administration be de-
manded, or shall extravaganza be encour-
"ss.Shou the wronedoer he brought TO bay