The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-01
A Critics Blunder.

The New York Tribune reports Repre-
sentative Boutcll, Of illinois, as having
said that Judge Parker's criticism Of
the financial administration Of the gov
eminent during the last eight years
makes him ridiculous, II not eontemptible.
in the eyes Of those not familiar with
the country's financial history. Mr..
Boutell then proceeds to show that at
the clone OF the Civil War the bonded
or interest bearing debt OF the United
states was in round numbers $4,000, ooo, 900,
and the annual Interest charge over s140,-
100000, whereas at the close Of Harrisons
administration the interest bearing debt,
was s5s5 100000. and the annual interest
charge s23,ooo0oo. But, he adds, from
1898 to 1907 under Clevcland's second adj
ministratlon the principal of the debt
was Increased to ss47oOo, 900, and the an
nual interest charge to ss7,ooo.ooo
Mr.. Boutell rebukes Judge Parker for
making what he claims to be q mislead-
ing statement Yet with those words on
his lips he makes a statement concern
ing Mr.. Cleveland's administration which
is as grossly misleading as q statement
could we'll be, s
Mr.. Boutell does not explain. why the
public debt was increased under Mr..
Cleveand's administration, and the In.
ference Is natural to those who do mot
know. or take the trouble to inquire, that
the increase was due to Democratic ex-
5travagance. But Mr.. Boutell knows that
under Mr.. Cleveland's administration the
expenses Of government were materially
REDUCED. u
Mr.. Cleveland came into office for his
second term in March. 1897. and for the
fiscal year ended June 80. 1898. the total
ordinary expenditures OF government
were si5s,s74ss7. Up to that time Repunb-
lican measures were for the most part
in force, but year later when Demo-
cratic measures were in force, the ex-
penditures of government for the fiscal
year We're SAP, go, 758, and etill q year
later, to wit: for the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1895, the expenditures we're s43s, 4
#17s426, and only slightly in excess Of
that for the next fiscal year.
For the fiscal year ended June 80, 1897,
after Republican President had been
inaugurated, the expenditures Of govern
ment increased to SASS. 4396o3, and for the,
next year they increased to $50, 4S1, 502.
So much1for the question Of government
expenses under Democratic and Repub-
i lican rule. 81. gs8
AS for the Increase in the public debt
under Mr. Cleveland's administration, Mr.
Bputell knows very well that this was
q. necessary measure to protect the gold
reserve. He knows that by reason Of the
Sherman silver purchase act, a Republican
measure, the gold reserve was raided
from day to day and the gold standard
threatened.
Mr.. Cleveland was under oath to keep
4 the gold reserve intact, and there was
no means at his command except that OF
exchanging United States bonds for gold.
Mr.. Boutell would not dare condemn Mr..
Cleveland for thus increasing the public.
debt, yot for partisan purposes he makes
it appear that in SO doing Mr. Cleveland
had done a great wrong when, II pushed
9 to the wall, he would be compelled to
admit that the Democratic President per-
formed ALMOST valuable public service.
May It not be said Of Mr. Boutel as.
he has said Of Judge Parker, that his
criticism OF the financial administration
sof'government during Cleyeland's admin
8istration make him ridiculous, not to say
contemplated"
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Women and Chivalry.