Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-09-30

itt VI tHdDlluS people To WOTk OuI
their own political and national destiny
for themselves free from the coercion Of
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 J. Tilden as its
candidate for tn" presidency and declared
II to he their settled conviction that a
return to the constitutional principles.
frugal expenses and administrative purity
of tho 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 ex-
preston was called forth by the national
expenditures for the year 1873, which
amounted to SZ7I. 900. 0OO-a situa ton which.
in the opinion of majority Of our peo-
pie. justified an imperative demand for
reform in the administration 6f public
affairs. AS the expenditures of the last
fiscal year amounted to the enormous
total of $751;. 100000 II Is evident that q
thorough investigation Of the public serv-
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
ment without impairing the efficiency of
any branch of the public service" Can
there be any doubt of the accuracy Of
this statement? Between the expendi-
lures of the year 1856. amounting to $242.-
0O00tO. and those of the last fiscal year
the seventh after Grover Cleveland ceas-
ed to be president-aggreg eating 1852 00O. 900.
there Is Il difference so great as to excite
alarm in the breasts of all thoughtful
men, Even excluding the sum Of $50,00O.-
O0O paid for the Panama canal rights and
to the state of Panama the expenditures
of the last fiscal year exceeded the sum
of 1882 900. 0OO being more than double the
expenditures of the government for all
purposes during the first year of Mr..
Clevelands administration.
The expenses Of the first four years sue
ceeding the last Democratic administra-
ton amounted to the enormous average
of $ll 100000 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 ST., O00. OOO which
is the largest sum hitherto reached dur
ing 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 observation. 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 re-
ceipts over expenditures Of more than
$s1. 100000. there was an excess Of ex-
penditures over receipts at the close of
the last fiscal year OF $42 1900. and the
official monthly reports made by the
treasury department show that the ex-
penditures are continuously and rapidly
increasing. while the receipts are dimin-
ishing.
In this connection 1t Is interesting to
note the recent administrative orders for
bidding government officers from making
public any statement Of estimates on
which future appropriations are to be
based.
II man of ordinary intelligence and
prudence should find in the operating ex-
penses of his business such tremendous
percentage Of increase. would he not
promptly set on foot an inquiry for the
cause of the waste and take immediate
measures to stop II, especially when
trusted employees have been found dis
honest and convicted and a widespread
impression exists that a thorough investi-
CATION may discover other cases Of mall
feasance? When the chief executive re-
ported to congress that Through frauds.
forgeries and perjuries and by shameless
briberies the laws relating to the proper
conduct OF the public service In general
and to the due administration of the post
Anno hnv, hnau al u
violated 90" there was a general popu-
lar demand for a rigid. sweeping investi-
CATION by congress In addition to that UNI
dertaken by the executive himself. Such
an investigation the Republican majority
in congress would not permit. although
the minority insisted that the interests CT
good government demanded II. And the
minority was right. The liberality. pa
triotism and national pride OF the people
should not be made an excuse for waste
OF the public funds. Official extravaganza
Is official crime.
There Is not a sentence In the Repub-
lican platform recommending a reduction
in the expenditures Of the government.
not a line suggesting that the increase In
the cost OF the war department from $34.-
900 900 In 1886 to Sis 900 600 In 1904 should be
inquired into. and not a paragraph calling
for a thorough investigation OF those
departments of the government In which
dishonesty has been recently disclosed.
The people however can by their votes
II they desire 1t. order such an investiga-
ton and inaugurate policy of economy
and retrenchment 1t Is safe to say that
this will not be accomplished by tndors-
ing at the polls the Republican majority
OF the house of representatives which re-
fused the investigation and made the ap-
propriations. nor by continuing in power
the administration which made the dis
bursements.
Reform In expenditures must be had In
both the civil. military and naval estab-
lishments In order that the national ex-
penditures may be brought to a basis OF
peace and the government maintained
without recourse to the taxes Of war.
Conclusion.
have put aside a congenial work. to
which had expected to devote my life.
in order to assume as best l can the re-
sponsibilities your convention put upon me.
/ solicit the cordial cooperation and
| generous assistance of every man who
| believes that a change Of measures 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 people
must render the verdict.
Shall economy OF administration be de-
| manded or shall extravaganza be encour-
aged?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought to bay
| by the people. or must Justice wait upon
political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for equal
| opportunity OF for special privilege?
Shall It remain a government of law or
| become one of individual caprice?
| Shall We cling to the rule Of the people.
| or shall we embrace beneficent despotismf
with calmness and confidence We await
| the peoples verdict.
II called to the office of president I
| shall consider myself the chief magistrate
| 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 differences OF opinion.
believe In the patriotism. good sense and
| absolute sincerity of all the people. l
shall strive to remember that he may
| serve his party best who serves his coun-
| try best.
| If il be the wish OF the people that
| undertake the duties Of the presidency I
| pledge myself with Gods help. to devote
all my powers and energy to the duties OF
| this exalted office. Very truly yours.
ALTON d. PARKER.