New-York tribune., 1904-09-26
"EXTRAVAGAyCg." 4"

The platform makers of the Hill convention
adopted the Davis-Parker method of making
| charges Of extravaganza based on mere tricks
of bookkeeping. They doubtless thought that
the bald statement Of nearly doubled State ap-
propriations since the administration of the last
Democratic Governor would deeply impress the
voters. Perhaps it will impress the ignorant
voters, but the bulk of them are already In the
Democratic fellowship All voters who take
any intelligent interest In the matter, however,
know that a great part OF this apparent IN
| crease is only apparent and not real, while the
| actual increase is for legitimate purposes which
have received the sanction OF the people.
The actual increase in the State expenditures
since 1894 after allowance IS made FOR the fees
which are now turned in TO the treasury, thanks
to Mr. Higgins, is Sc. .120,S ,S91 73. Almost rour
millions Of that amount are due TO the assump-
ton by the State of the care Of the insane one
of the most benefcent reforms OF the time
Formerly the insane were cared for at local ex-
pense in county asylums and poorhouses, and
the abuses of the system were so great that a
popular demand arose for State care. So the
State took over the asylums in some cases and
built some new ones. The cost Of their care TO
the State is now S6,O95. $40 n, against S2l59-
O42 O5 in 1894; but the insane were charge
upon the taxpayers, just the same, before the
State care system was developed. Only then
the cost fell directly on the counties and did
not appear IN the State budget The difference
is a mere matter Of bookkeeping. Likewise, the
cost OF excise law enforcement was a burden
which the local governments bore. Now that
is an item of over 100000 on the State books,
and the expenditure brings in 100000 to the
local governments and much more TO the
State. Is that extravaganza? Probably the
Democratic ginmill statesmen are convinced It
Is In 1894 the people adopted q new cOnstitu-
tion, increasing the judicial force and the size
Of the legislature. That costs $500,0O0 year
Is the Republican State administration "extrav-
agant' in providing for what the constitution
requires? Is it "extravagant' when It spends
S166OO0o for good roads, which the Democratic
platform demands. and TO abolish grade cross
ings in response to the popular wish7 Is it
"extravagant' when It pays out about 81 9OO-
600 more for education than in 1894, because
the number Of pupils and teachers has so in
creased as TO require it2
When the figures are analyzed the charge OF
extravagance evaporates into thin air With
the increase of population the ordinary expendi-
lures, regardless OF any of the new enterprises.
might have Increased more than 100000 and
still be In proportion to those OF 1891; and
when we find nearly $7O00OOO required by the
constitution, by new enterprises Ike good roads
and by the assumption OF new duties By the
State which were formerly discharged-or neg
lected-locally, il is easy 10 see how the budget
Of the State has increased S9OOO,O 600 properly
and necessarily. If the Democrats really want
to so into the issue Of the administration OF the
States finances, they can be accommodated.
They will probably prefer, however, to deal in
generaliues, IN the hope OF deluding somebody
with an empty outcry of extravaganza"