Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-09-26

|
ment have been notoriously violated, .
there was a general popular demand
Tor a rigid, sweeping investigation by
congress. in addition to that under
taken by the Executive himself. Such
an investigation the Republican ma.
Jority in congress would not permit,
although the minority insisted that the
interests of good government demand.
Ell it. And the minority was right.
The liberality, patriotism and nation.
al pride of the people should not be
tOUR-PARKER
made an excuse for waste of the pub.
he funds. Official extravaganza is of.
fetal crime.
There is not sentence in the Re.
publican platform recommending re-
auction in the expenditures of the gov
ernment; not line suggesting that
the increase in the cost of the war de.
partment from $34,O00,00O in 1886 to
Sll5,OOO,000 in 1904, should be inquired
into; and not paragraph calling for
a thorough investigation of those de-
partments of the government in which
dishonesty has been recently disclosed.
1.-The people, however, can by their
votes, if they desire it, order such an
Investigation and inaugurate policy
of economy and retrenchment. 1t is
safe to say that this will not be ac.
complished by endorsing 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
administration which made the dis.
bursements.
Reform in expenditures must be
had in the civil, military and naval
establishments in order that the ma.
tional expenditures may be brought to
basis of peace and the government
maintained without recourse to the
taxes of war.
In Conclusion.
90 have put aside congenal work,
to which / had expected to devote my
life, in order to assume, as best l can,
the responsibilities your convention
put upon me.
"I solicit the cordial cooperation
and generous assistance Of every man
who believe that change of meas
ure and of men at this time would be
wise, and urge harmony of endeavor
as well as vigorous action on the part
of all so minded.
"The issues are joined and the peo.
Pile must render the verdict
"Shall economy of administration be
demanded or shall extravaganza be en-.
couraged2
"Sball the wrongdoer be brought to
bay by the people, or must justice
wait upon political oligarehy7
"Shall our government stand for
equal opportunity or for special privi
lege2
''Shall it remain government of
law or become one of individual
capricel
"Shall we cling to the rule of the
people, or shall we embrace benefcent
despotism9
"With calmness and confidence, we
await the people 3 verdict.
elf called to the office of President,
] shall consider myself the chief mag.
istrate 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 honest diff
ferenees of opinion. | believe in the
patriotism, good sense and absolute
sincerity of all the people. l shall
strive to remember that he serves his
party best who serves his country best.
elf it be the wish OF the people
the duties of the Presiden
ey, | pledge myself, with Gods help
to devote all my powers and energy
to the duties of this exalted office.
"ALTON b. PARKER"