Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-09-29

entitled to pension. WIN they authori-
tatively state that they intend to do
this2 II so, we accept the issue
This suggests the suspicion. at least,
that the order was made TO create an
issue-that IL was supposed to present
a strong strategic position in the bat
tie OF the ballots. But as the making
Of that order was. in my judgment. an
attempted, though perhaps unwilling.
encroaehment upon the legislative power,
constitution, the challenge Is accepted.
II elected, l VIII revoke that order. But
l go further and say that that being
done, l will contribute my effort toward
the enactment of a law to be passed by
both houses of congress and approved by
the executive that will give an age PEN
sion without reference to disability to the
surviving heroes of the civil war; and
under the provisions of which a pension
may be accepted with dignity because OF
the consciousness that it comes as a just
due from the people through their chosen
representatives, and not as largess dis
tributed by the chief executive.
Reform in Governmental Expendi-
lures.
"Twenty-eight years Ia passed since
the democratic party of the state OF
New York in convention assembled, recon-
to the national democracy the
nomination of Samuel j. Tilden as its can
didate for the presidency, and declared it
" bt lhtl Stlllth NplNlNNlpA ma
Eurn to the constitutional principles, fru-
gal 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 expression was
called forth by the national expenditures
for the year 1875, which amounted to STA
000, 000-a situation which, in the opinion
of a majority of our people, Jlstihed an
imperative demand for reform in the ad-
ministration of public affairs. AS the ex-
peDditures of the last fiscal year amount
ed to the total OF sSS2,000,OOO. II
is evident that a thorough investigation
of the public service and the immediate
abandonment of useless and extravagant
expenditures are more necessary row than
they were then. This astounding in
of our population, and finds no
excuse from whatever aspect we view the
situation. The national democratic plat
form declares that large reductions can
easily be made in the annual expenditures
of the government without impairing the
efficiency of any branch of the public serv-
ice Can there be a doubt of the accu-
racy of this statement? Between the ex-
penditures of the year 1886, amounting to
$242, 600, 600, and those of the last fiscal year
the seventh after Grover Cleveland
ceased to be president-aggregating $685.
600, 0OO, there is a difference so great as
to excite alarm in the breasts of all
thoughtful men. Even excluding the sum
Of $50, 000,0 900 paid for the Panama canal
rights. and to the state Of Panama, the
expenditures of the last fiscal year exceed
ed the sum of S532, 600, 600, 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-
ton amounted to the average
of s511 10000 per year. This large ex-
penditure was due to a considerable ex-
tent to 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
80, 1904, were about $5l9, 000,0 900, which Is
the largest sum hitherto reached during
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 to the famous observations: 1t
is a condition, and not a theory, which
confronts u.s. for, although the present
incumbent found at the close of the first
fiscal year, during which he assumed con-
troll of the administration, a surplus Of
receipts over expenditures Of more than
S9l, 0O0, 900, there was an excess of eXpend-
lures over receipts at the close of the last
fiscal year of $42, O0O,O0 and the official
monthly reports made by the treasury de-
partment show that the expenditures are
continuously and rapidly increasing, while
the receipts are diminishing.
In this connection it is interesting to
note the recent administrative orders
forbidding government officers from
making public any statement of esti-
mates on which future appropriations
are to be based.
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
~ - -hA r. a-l Ii ,~.-.Nl,-t.
measures to stop it, especially when
trusted employees nave been found dis
honest and convicted, and a widespread
impression exists that a thorough inves-
malfeasance? When the chief executive
reported to congress that, through
frauds, forgeries and. perjuries, and by
shameless briberies, the laws relating to
in general, and to the due administration
of the post office department have been
VIGOROUSLY violated & $ y there was
a general popular demand for a rigid,
addition to that undertaken by the execu-
tive himself. Such an investigation the
republican majority in congress would
not permit, although the minority in
ment demanded it. And the minority
was right. The liberality, patriot
ism and national pride of the people
should not be made an excuse for waste
" Nv phblit ullds IN AlldNo5dllCO
is official crime.
There is not a sentence in the repub-
Ncan platform recommending a reduc-
ton in the expenditures of the govern
ment; not a line suggesting that the in
crease in the cost of the war department
from $34, OOO,G 600 in 1886 to Sis, 0OO,0 600 in 1904
should be inquired into: and not a para
graph calling for a thorough investiga-
ton of those departments of the govern
ment in which dishonesty has been re-
Gently disclosed.
Reform in expenditures must be had
in both the civil, military and naval es-
Establishments in order that the national
expenditures may be brought to a basis
of peace and the government maintained
without recourse to the taxes of war"
Conclusion,
Among other things which are touched
upon in the letter is the democratic pledge
to secure to all citizens equal protection
abroad. The need of careful diplomacy
in the management of the foreign relations
Of the government, and the democratic
pledge to administer this department of
the government in conformity with the
principles laid down by Washington. The
need of legislation in aid of American ship
ping, SO that 1t may again be commensu-
rate with American commercial interests.
He pledges the democratic party to a
wise and careful administrator of the ma
tional statutes concerning the irrigation
of the arid lands of the west, and in con-
clusion says:
1.-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 w%rongdoer be brought to bay
by the people, or must justice wait upon
political oligarchy?
shall our government stand for equal
opportunity, or for special privilege?
"Shall it remain a government of law.
or become one of individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the peo-
pie, or shall we embrace beneticent des-
potism?
"If it be the wish Of the people that /
undertake the duties Of the presidency, I
pledge myself, with Gods help. to devote
all my overs and energy to the duties OF
this exalted office. Very truly yours,
ALTON B.. PARKER"