Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-10-07

BILE the expenditures OF the govern.
nent for all purposes during the first
war Of Mr.. Clsvsland's administration.
The expenses of the first four years
succeeding the last democratic admin.
istration amounted to the enormous
average of SILL, 100000 per year. This
large expenditure was due to q consid.
cradle extent to the cost of the Span.
ish-American war, which occurred
during that period; but the termina-
ton of that war brought no relief to
the treasury, for the average annual ex-
penses of the government, during the
three subsequent years ending June
30. 1904, were about $4,000, 900,
which is the largest sum hitherto
reached, during 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 sit
uation, which led to the famous OBJ
servation: ut 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 control Of
the administration, surplus of re-
ceipts over expenditures of more than
$91 100000, there was an excess Of
expenditures over receipts at the close
of the last fiscal year of $4,000, 900,
and the official monthly reports made
by the treasury department show that
the expenditures are continuously and
rapidly increasing, while the receipts
are diminishing.
In this connection It 10 interesting
to note the recent administrative or.
ders forbidding government omcers
from making public any statement of
estimates on which future appropria.
lions are to be based.
II a man Of ordinary intelligence
and prudence should fnu in the oper.
| ating expenses of his business such q
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 dishonest and con.
victed, and widespread impression
exists that thorough investigation
may discover other cases Of malfeas.
ance? When the chief executive re-
ported to congress that, through
frauds, forgeries and perjuries, and
by shameless briberies, the laws re-
lating to the proper conduct Of tho
public service in general, and to the
due administration Of the post office
department have been VIGOROUSLY vio-
lated )" there was a general
popular demand for rigid, sweeping
investigation by congress. in addition
to that undertaken by the executive
| himself. Such an investigation the re-
publican majority in congress would
not permit, although the minority in.
sisted that the interests of good gov
eminent demanded it. And the minor.
ity was right. The liberality, patriot,
ism and national pride of the people
should not be made an excuse foP
waste of the public funds. onicial ex,
travagance is official crime.
There is not sentence In the re-,
publican platform recommending q 70.
duction in the expenditures of the
| government; not line suggesting
that the increase in the cost Of tho
war department from $34,000,000 In
1886 to $115. 100000 in 1904 should
be inquired into; and not a paragraph
calling for a thorough investigation Of
those departments Of the government
in which dishonesty has been recently
disclosed.
Conclusion.
| The people, however, can by their
votes, If they desire 1t, order such an
investigation and inaugurate policy
Of economy and retrenchment. 1t i1
safe to say that this will not be &C.
complished by indorsing at the polls
the republican majority OF the house
of representatives which refused the
investigation and made the appro'
priations, nor by continuing in power
the administration which made the
disbursements.
Reform in expenditures must be had
in both the civil, military and naval
establishments in order that the ma
tional expenditures may be brought
to basis of peace and the govern
ment maintained without recourse Ia
the taxes of war.
| l have put aside congenial work
to which had expected to devote my
life, in order to assume, as best can
the responsibilities your convention
put upon me.
solicit the cordial cooperation and
generous assistance of every man who
believes that change Of measures and
of men at this time would be wise, and
urge harmony Of endeavor as well al
vigorous action on the part of all ss
minded.
The issues are joined and the peo
pie must render the verdict.
Shall economy Of administration b
demanded or shall extravaganza be en-
couraged?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought Il
bay by the people, or must Justice wal
upon political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand fol
equal opportunity or for special privi
lSgSf