Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-09-30

the expenditures of the last fiscal year
amounted to the enormous total of S5s2,-
100000. it is evident that a thorough in
yestfgation of the public service and the
immediate abandonment of useless and ex-
traordinary expenditures are more neces-
sary now than thy were then This
astounding increase Is out of all proportion
to the increase of our population, and finds
no excuse from whatever aspect we view
the situation.
If q 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 it, especially when trusted
employees have been found dishonest and
convicted, and a widespread impression ex-
lists that q thorough investigation may dis
cover other cases of malfeasance? When
the chief executive reported to Congress
that through frauds forgeries and per-
JurleS and by shameless briberies the laws
relating to the proper conduct of the pub
lie service i'll general and to the due adj
m1nistratfon of the postoffice department
have been VIGOROUSLY violated there was
a general popular demand for Il rigid,
sweeping investigation by Congress- in adj
dition to that undertaken by the executive
himself Such an investigation the Re
publican majority In Congress would not
permit. although the minority insisted that
the interests of good government demanded
1t. And the minority was right. The lib
erality. patriotism and national pride Of
for waste of the public funds. Official
extravaganza Is official crime.
There is not Il sentence in the Republican
platform recommending a reduction in the
expenditures of the government, not a line
suggesting that the increase in the cost of
the war department from $34 100000 in
1886 to $115,0oO0G0 in 1904 should be in
quired into, and not paragraph calling
for a thorough investigation of those de-
partments of the government in which dis
honesty has been recently disclosed.
fo How JkrT HOT, 80,
If 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 indorsing
at the polls the Republican majority of the
House of Representatives which refused the
investigation and made the appropria tions
nor by continuing in power the administra-
ton which made the disbursements.
Defines His Issues.
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 wrongdoers be brought to bay
by the people or must Justice wait upon
political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for equal OPP
portunity or for special privilege?
Shall 1t remain a government Of law or
become one of individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the people
or shall we embrace beneficent despotism?
With calmness and confidence we await
the peoples verdict
If called to the office Of President / 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 hon
est differences of opinion. I believe in the
patriotism, good sense and absolute sin
certify of all the people. / shall strive to re-
member that he may serve his party best
who serves his country best.
If it be the wish of the people that
undertake the duties of the Presidency |
pledge myself, with Gods help, to devote
all my powers and energy to the duties of
this exalted Office. Very truly yours.
ALTON b. PARKER