Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-09-26

IN rnTs oruer, mat II - easy 10 ter. |
our opponents sincerity in this mat /
ter The order in question is revocable '
at the pleasure of the executive. II !
our opponents come into power they
can revoke this order and announce
that they will treat the veterans OF
sixty-two and seventy as presumably
In full bodily vigor and not entitled to
pension. VIII they authoritativeiy
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 it 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 en-
croachment upon the legislative power
and therefore unwarranted by the con-
stitution, the challenge is accepted. II
elected l will revoke that order. But
I 90 further and say that, that being
done. 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
pension without reference to disability
to the surviving heroes OF the civil
war and under the provisions OF which
a pension may be accepted with dignl-
ty because Of the consciousness that It
comes as just due from the people
through their chosen representatives
and not as largess distributed by the
chief executive.
Foreign Relations.
The foreign relations of the govern
ment have in late years assumed
special importance. Prior to the ac-
QUESTION of the Philippines we were
practically invulnerable against at
tacks by foreign states. Those tropical
possessions, however, 1000 miles from
our shores, have changed all this and
have In effect put us under bonds to
keep the peace The new conditions
call for a management OF foreign al
fairs the more circumspect In that the
recent American invasion OF foreign
markets In all parts of the world has
excited the serious apprehension OF
all the great Industrial peoples. 1t Is
essential, therefore, more than ever
to adhere strictly TO the traditional
policy of the country as formulated by
its first president and never, IN my
Judgment, wisely departed from-to In
yite friendly relations with all nations
while avoiding entangling alliances
with any. Such policy means the cul-
tiyation of peace instead OF the glorinca-
tion OF war. and the Winding OF our own
business in lieu of spectacular intermed-
ding with the affairs of other nations.
II means strict observance of the prin-
cIoIes of international law and condemns
the doctrine that a great state, by rea-
son of its strength. may rightfully APP
nronriate the sovereignty or territory OF
| q small state on account of It's weakness.
N rneans for other American states that
| we claim no rights and VIII assume no
| functions save those Of friend ana OF
| an allv and defender as against European
| aRgressions II means that we repudlate
the role of the American continental po-
uceruan. that we refuse to act as uept
collector for foreign states or their citi-
Gems that we respect the Independent
| aovereirnty of each American state ana
IT'S right to preserve order and otherwise
regulate its own internal AFFAIRS IN lts
own way and that any Intervention IN ils
Affairs by us Is limited to the single Of
fee of enabling its people to work out
their own political and national destiny
for themselves free from the coercion or
any European state.
Reform In Governmental Expenditures.
Twenty-eight years have passed since
the Democratic party of the state OF New
| York in convention assembled recon-
mended to the national Democracy the
nomination of Samuel ]. Tilden as its
candidate for the presidency and declared
II to be their settled conviction that a
return to the constitutional principles,
frugal expenses and administrative purity
Of tho founders of the republic is the nrst
and most imperlous duty OF the times
the commanding Issue now before the
people of the Union" This strong ex-
preston was called forth by the national
expenditures for the year 1919, which
amounted to 1914 600, OO0-a situation which,
in the opinion of n majority Of our peo-
pie, justified an imperative demand for
reform in the administration OF public
affairs As the expenditures of the last
fiscal year amounted to the enormous
total of $5S2, 900 900. It is evident that a
| tnOrOuRn
ice and the immediate abandonment OF
useless and extravagant expenditures are
more necessary now than they were then
This astounding increase is out OF all
proportion to the increase of our popula-
ton and finds no excuse from whatever
aspect we view the situation. The ma
tional Democratic platform declares that
large reductions can easily be made In
the annual expenditures OF the govern
| f~f., Halo ~
any branch OF the public service" Can
there be any doubt of the accuracy OF
this statement? Between the expendi-
lures OF the year 1886, amounting 10 S242,-
900 900, and those Of tho last fiscal year
the seventh after Grover Cleveland ceas-
ed 10 be president-aggregating $3.50 900.
there is a difference so great as to excite
alarm in the breasts Of all thoughtful
men. Even excluding the sum Of s5O000,-
900 paid for the Panama canal rights and
to the state of Panama, the expenditures
OF the last fiscal year exceeded the sum
| OF 1852, 600 900, 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 enormous average
/ OF $5l1, 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 S51s,00O,0Oo which
Is the largest sum hitherto reached dur
| ing 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