Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-24
JUDGE PARKER AND THE PANA.
MA CANAL.

In his speech accepting the demo
cratic nomination for president, Judge
Parker did not mention the Panama
canal. In his second public utterance
when he addressed the democratic ed
itors. Judge Parker pitched his
speech on the economic key, accused
the republican administration of ex-
travagance and of changing a sur
plus of $80,00000O in 1900 into de-
felt Of s42OO0,000 in 1904.
Since Judge Parker as an iutelli-
gent man. must have known that the
apparent deficit of $4,000, 900 was due
to the payment of $50,0OO,O00 for the
Panama canal. this criticism may be
fairly assumed to represent his posi-
ton regarding that great public work
by the United States government. His
Silence on the question of the canal
and his criticism Of the payment Of
$50,000000 as reckless extravaganza
fit together as CHASING Judge Parker
with Senator German in opposition to
the legislation which authorized the
purchase and completion Of the canal
which is to furnish a highway for
commerce across the isthmus.
The republican party has sought to
adjust the revenue laws SO as to pro-
duce revenues to meet the ordinary
expenditures of the government and in
1901 and 1902 the internal taxation
was reduced by an average of ST.
100000 annually because there was a
surplus of $8O,000,00O in 1900. The
revenues of the government today are
ample for all the ordinary expendi-
lures and surplus of from 100000
900 to 100000 a year as a safe bal
ance. The alleged deficit of $42,0OO,-
900 charged against the administra-
ton by Judge Parker is due solely to
the fact that, with a large reserve in
the treasury. the republican congress
authorized the secretary of the treas
ury to pay the $5o,ooo,oOO due last
April out of the treasury instead of is
suing bonds for that amount as will
be done for the remaining $13OO0O,-
600 which will be expended on the
construction of that great public
work
Judge Parker must be assumed to
know this and he may be assumed to
regard the Panama canal as the one
great item of reckless extravaganza
INDUCED in by the republican party,
while, in control of the government.
Senator German tried to defeat the ra-
LITIGATION of the canal treaty with the
Republic Of Panama as many ordinary
lobbyists have in the past tried to
prevent the contamination Of the nee
essary legislation for this waterway
which has been the dream of the
American people for half century.
German failed because the majority
of democratic senators did not dare
assume the responsibility for defeat
ing the canal. The democratic nation
al convention endorsed the canal for
the same reason. but Judge Parker
seems to agree with Senator German
and the old opponents of this great un-
dertaking who maintained a gigantic
lobby in Washington for years to fight
all legislation in that direction.
It was this extraordinary expendi-
ture which created the alleged deficit
of S42,000,000 which has called out the
criticism Of the democratic candidate
Is Judge Parker In favor of the Pana-
ma canal. and If so why doesn't he say
so? II he is opposed to the canal he
should speak out direct and not com
plain Of an alleged deficit created by