Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-26
for themselves nee from the coercion OF
any European state.
Reform in Governmental Expenditures

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 recommended to
the national democracy the nomination OF
Samuel ]. Tilden as its candidate for the
presidency, and declared 1t to be their set
tied conviction that return to the consti-
tutional principles, frugal expenses and ad-
ministrative purity of the 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 expression was called forth by the
national expenditures for the year 1870,
which amounted to s274, 000,O00,-a situation
which, in the opinion of majority OF our
people, justified an imperative demand for
reform in the administration of public az
fairs. AS the expenditures of the last fiscal
year amounted to the enormous total or
$3.50 600 600 1t is evident that a thorough
investigation Of the public service and the
Immediate abandonment of useless and ex-
travagant expenditures are more necessary
now than they were then. This astounding
increase is out of all proportion to the IN
crease of our population, and finds no e1-
cuse from whatever aspect we view the slt- g
uation. The national democratic platform
declares that Large reductions can easily
be made in the annual expenditures of the
government without impairing the eff1ciency
Of any branch Of the public service. Can
there be any doubt OF the accuracy OF th,s
the year 1885, amounting to $242,Uo,uOt
and those of the last fiscal year-the
seventh after Grover Cleveland ceased 10 =;
be President-aggregating $5S2Ooo,ooo thele
is difference so great to excite alarm
in the breasts of all thoughtful men. Even
excluding the sum of $JOoo0oOo paio ZOE
the Panama canal rights and TO the stase
of Panama the expenditures of the last Ms
cal year exceeded the sum OF $oSZoUUU.
being more than double the expenditures OF
the government for all purposes during the
a NJ nd dyntn ton
The expenses of the first four years sue
ceeding the last democratic administration
amounted to the enormous average OF SOIL
CO., coo per year. This large expenditure
was due to considerable extent to the
cost Of the Spanish-American war. which
occurred during that period; but the ter
mination of that war brought no renel 10
the treasury, for the average annual ex-
penses of the government during the three
subsequent years ending June 30, l9o4. We're
about s519, 600 Goo which is the largest sum
hitherto reached, during a like period, SINCE
the close of the civil war
This draft upon the revenues CT the couh-
try has had the effect which mlGnE nave
been anticipated. and now we nave pIS-
sented the reverse of the situation. which
led to the famous observation, 1t is con-
dition and not theory, which confronts
u.s." for although the present lnc9mnene
found at the close of the first fiscal year.
during which he assumed control OF the az
ministration a surplus of receipts over ex-
penditures Of more than $s1Vooooo, tnere
at the close of the last fiscal year or S4i,-
600 coo, and the official monthly reports
made by the Treasury Department snow
that the expenditures are continuously anu
rapidly increasing, while the recelpts are
diminishing.
the recent administrative orders forblddlns
government officers from making pupLc
any statement of estimates on which fu-
ture appropriations are to be based
If a man of ordinary intelligence ana
In a W
penses of his business such tremendous
percentage of increase, would he not
promptly set on foot an inquiry for tne
cause of the waste, and take lmmeolale
measures to stop ii, especially when trusted
employees have been found dishonest ana
convicted, and a widespread impression
exists that q thorough investigation may
discover other cases of malfeasancef When
the chief executive reported to Congress
that Through frauds, forgeries and per-
turies and by shameless briberies the laws
relating to the proper conduct OF the pup
lie service in general, and to the due ad-
ministration of the Post Office Department.
have been VIGOROUSLY violated
there was a general popular demand Tor
a rigid sweeping investigation by Con-
gress in addition to that undertaken by
the executive himself Such an investiga-
ton the republican majority in Congress
would not permit, although the minority
insisted that the interests of good govern
ment demanded it. And the minority was
right The liberality, patriotism and ma
tional pride of the people should not De
made an excuse for waste of the public
funds. Official extravaganza is orclai
crime.
There is not a sentence in the republican
platform recommending a reduction In the
expenditures of the government; not line
suggesting that the increase in the cost
of the War Department from $34 1000 In
1856 to S115,O0003O in 1904, should be In
quired into; and not a paragraph calling
for thorough investigation of those de-
partments of the government in which dis
honesty has been recently disclosed. -t
The people, however. can by their votes,
If they desire it, order such an investiga-
ton and inaugurate a policy of economy
and retrenchment. 1t is safe to say that
this will not be accomplished by 1ndors.
ing at the polls the republican majority OF
the House of Representatives which refused
the investigation and made the appropria-
! lions, nor by continuing IN power the ad-
ministration which made the diSburSe-
mentS.
Reform in expenditures must be had in
the civil. military and naval establishments
in order that the national expenditures may
be brought to a basis of peace and the
government maintained without recourse
to the taxes Of war.
Conclusion.
I have put aside a congenial work, to
which I had expected to devote my life.
in order to assume, as best can, the re-
sponsibilities your convention put upon
me.
I solicit the cordial cooperation and
generous assistance of every man who be-
lieves that 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, must justice wait upon
political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for equai
opportunity or for special privilege!
Shall it remain a government OF law OF
become one of individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the people.
or shall we embrace benefcent despotismf
with calmness and confidence. we await
the peoples verdict.
IF 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. !
oh fo haf he