The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1904-09-26

any European stats.
Reform In Governmental Expenditures.
Twenty-eight years have passed since
the Democratic party Of the state OF New
York In convention assembled recon-
mended to the national Democracy the
Of Samuel j. Tnden as Its
candidate for the presidency and declared
IL TO be their settled conviction that a
return 20 the constitutional principles.
frugal expenses and administrative purity
of the founders OF the republic Is the first
and most imperious duty Of the times
the commanding issue now before the
people Of the Union" This strong ex-
preston was called forth by the, national
expenditures for the year 1916, which
amounted TO $274OOO OO0-a situation which,
In the opinion 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 10 the enormous
total Of t5s2.OO0OOO, II is evident that
thorough investigation Of the public serv-
fee and the immediate abandonment OF
useless and eNtravagant expenditures are
more necessary now than they we're then.
This astounding increase is out Of all
proportion to the Increase OF our popula-
tion and finds no excuse from whatever
aspect we view the situation The ma
tioual Democratic platform declares that
large reductions can easily be made in
the annual expenditures Of the govern
mcnt without impairing the efficiency OF
any branch OF the public service Can
there bc any doubt Of the accuracy OF
this statement? Between the eXpendl-
lures OF the year 1856 amounting 20 S242-
10000 and those of the last fiscal year
the seventh after Grover Cleveland ceas-
ed 10 be president-aggrogatin SS2, 900 900,
there is a difference SO great as to excite
alarm IN the breasts Of all thoughtful
mi he i'm Of N
900 paid for the Panama canal rights and
TO the state Of Panama, the expenditures
OF the last fiscal year exceeded the sum
Of $532 OCO, 900. 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 administra-
tion amounted TO the enormous average
OF SllOo0.000 per year. This large ex-
penditure was due to a considerable ex-
tent 20 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 1919 OO0. 600 which
Is the largest sum hitherto reached dur
ing 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 tu the famous observation, at
is condition and not a theory which
confronts US" for, although the present
incumbent found at the close OF the first
fiscal year during which he assumed con-
troll OF the administration q surplus Of re-
ceipts over expenditures OF more than
$9l 10000 there was an excess of ex-
w.s.v
the last fiscai year Of t42, 900, ,0OO and the
official monthly reports made by the
treasury department show that the ex-
penditures are continuously and rapidly
increasing, while the receipts are dimin-
ishing
In this connection IL is interesting TO
note the recent administrative orders for
bidding government officers from making
public any statement of estimates on
which future appropriations are 10 be
based
II man OF ordinary intelligence and
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 It, 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 Nthrough frauds,
fs,9Sctes and perjures 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 wolld not permit. although
the minority insisted that the interests OF
good government demanded H. 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 Oflcial extravaganza
Is official crime
There Is not a sentence in the Repub-
lican platform recommending a reduction
in the expenditures Of the government
not line suggesting that the increase in
the cost Of the war department from S3l,-
900 coo in 1886 to $4,000 600 in 1904 should be
inquired into, and not a paragraph calling
Tor 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 1t, order such an investiga-
tion and inaugurate a policy OF economy
and retreuchment 1t Is safe to say that
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 In expenditures must be had in
both the civil, military and naval estab-
lishments In order that the national ex-
pendtures may be brought to a basis OF
peace and the government maintained
without recourse to the taxes OF war.
Conclusion.
have put aside n congenial work 20
which ] had expected to devote my life
in order TO assume as best / can the re-
sponsibilties your convention put upon me
] 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 we'll an
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 bay
by the people, or must justice wait upon
political olgarchy?