Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-09-28

ported 10 congress that Through frauds.
forSerios and perjuries and by shameless
nriberies the laws relating 20 the proper
conduct OF the public service in general
and 10 the due administration OF the post
ONCE department have been notoriously
violated >" there was n general non,
lar demand for rigid sweeping investi-
CATION by congress in addition TO that un-
oertaken by the executive himself Such
an investigation the Republican majority
IA congress would not permit. although
the minority insisted that the interests OF
good government demanded IT, And the
minority was right. The liberality pa
triotism and national pride OF the people
should not be made an excuse for waste
or the public funds. Oficial extravaganza
Is official crime.
There is not a sentence in the Repub-
hcan platform recommending a reduction
IN the expenditures OF the government
not line suggesting that the increase I'm
the cost or the war department from Ss4 -
100000 in 1886 70 S1l6.OO0 900 in 1904 should be
inquired into. and not paragraph calling
Tor thorough investigation OF those
departments OF the government I'm which
dishonesty has been recently disclosed.
The people, however. can by their votes.
II they desire II. order such an inyestiga-
tion and inaugurate n policy of economy
and retrenchment IL is safe to say that
this will not be accomplished by indors-
Ing at the polls the Republican majority
or the house OF representatives which re-
FUSED the investigation and made the an
preparations. nor by continuing in power
the administration which made the dis
bursements
Reform in expenditures must he had In
Doth the civil, military and naval estab-
lishments in order that the national ex-
penditures may be brought TO a basis OF
peace ana the government maintained
without recourse TO the taxes OF war.
Conclusion.
have put aside a congenial work. TO
which l had expected TO devote my life
In order to assume as best | can the re-
sponsibilities your convention put upon me
solicit the cordial cooperation ana
generous assistance OF every man who
believes 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
snail economy OF administration be de-
manded or shall extravaganza be encour-
aged?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought to hnv
by the people. or must justice wait upcr
political oligarchy?
snail our government stand Tor ecual
opportunity or for special privilege?
Snail IL remain government OF law or
become one OF individual caprice?
Shall we cling TO the rule OF the people
or shall we embrace beneficent desnotism9
with caimness 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.
ana shall ever be mindful OF the fact that
on many questions OF national policy
there are honest differences OF opinion. I
believe In the patriotism. good sense and
absolute sincerity OF all the people I
shall strive to remember that he NAV
serve his party best who serves his coun
try best
III 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 p. PARKER