The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1904-06-22
Republican Extravagance.

The publication of the figures
showing the enormous cost of ad.
ministering the go ,ernment under
Theodore Roosevelt as compared
with the cost of the last Democra-
tic national administration has
created CONSERVATION among the
editors of those Republican organs
who have been apologizing for
postal and other gratis which have
been given publicity during the
past year. Official figures show
that the cost of administration
under Cleveland amounted to
S1.757,O00,O0O under Roosevelt,
$2,650,000.000; excess of Roose.
velt over that of Cleveland, $685..
100000. The Republican organs
do not deny that increase. in cost,
but endeavor to Justify the extra
vagance of the present administra.
ton by pointing to the growth in
population aud wealth of the
country since Mr.. Clevelaud's last
administration.
Accepting the figures given by
the Republican organs, and what
do we Discovery 1t is claimed
that the population of the country
has increased from 64,OOO,OOO to
100000 Granted. That is an
increase of % per cent. 1t is
claimed that the country's wealth
has grown from S7O,OOO,OOO,OOO to
$100,O00,000,0OO. Granted again.
That is an increase of AZ per
cent. If the increased cost of adj
ministration had not exceeded the
increased wealth or population
there would be little OF no cause for
criticism. But the increase in ex,
penditures has been swifter than
that of either population or wealth.
1t is more than so per cent. II
must also be borne in mind that
the conceded increase of popula.
ton and wealth of the country is
largely a matter of estimate, while
that of cost is an absolute, undis.
puted fact
Secretary Sffaw's latest report
relative to the condition of the
treasury shows that there is now a
deficit of $62 272,S41 as compared
to surplus of $780, 46.619 a year
ago. The Republican administra-
tons prior to the last Democratic
administrations allowed the treas
ury reserve to become perilously
low, SO much SO that during the
latter part of the Harrison admin.
istration his secretary was com
PEELED to borrow money to keep
things afioat until the second in.
auguration of Mr.. Cleveland. 1t
costs money to build battleships,
which even now it is difficult to
find men enough to man them.
1t costs money to keep in sub
lection 100000 brown human
beings longing to be free. 1t is
expensive being a world power
under the administration of an ac-
cidental acting executive whose
penchant is in the direction of
and snsrling at weak and
feeble countries and likely to lead
to grave and serious international
complications. Millions upon
millions are added annually to the
appropriations tending to make
this an destinations. boastf al
Dragging. buldozing, nagging sis
ter among nations.
There is much in the administra-
ton of Mr.. Roosevelt for the Re.
publican organs to explain, and
they will be kept busy at this in
teresting occupation until the peo-
pie have rendered their verdict
upon the variety of free govern
ment. under which the expendi-
lures increase faster in proportion
than do the population and wealth
of the country.
The American Bible Society
nrinta fba R;hla :, :.