The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-29
accuracy of this statement? Between

the expenditures OF tne year 1000,
amounting to $242 900 900, and those OF
the last fiscal year-the seventh after
Grover Cleveland ceased to be Presi-
dent-aggregating s5S2, ,000,0 900, there is
difference so great as to excite alarm
in the breasts of all thoughtful men.
Even excluding the sum OF S50,O0O,OO0
paid for the Panama Canal rights and
to the State of Panama, the expendi-
lures of the last fiscal year exceeded
the sum Of $532, ZOO, 900, being more
than double the expenditures OF the
government for all purposes during the
first year of Mr.. Cleveland's admins
| tration.
The expenses of the first four years
succeeding the last Democratic admin
istration amounted to the enormous av-
erage of 81 900, 900 per year. This large
expenditure was due to a considerable
extent to the cost of the Spanish
American War, which occurred during
that period; but the termination OF
that war brought no relief to me
Treasury, for the average annual ex-
penses of the government during the
three subsequent years ending June 80,
! 1904, were about $519,000,000, which is
the largest sum hitherto reached, du-
ring a like period, since the close OF
the Civil War.
| This draft upon the revenue OF the
country has had the effect which might
have been anticipated, and now we
| have presented the reverse Of the situ-
alton, which led to the famous obser-
vation, at is a condition, and not q
theory, which confronts u.s." for, al
though the present incumbent found at
the close Of the first fiscal year, during
which he assumed control Of the ad-
ministration, a surplus of receipts over
expenditures of more than $91 ,000, 600,
there was an excess Of expenditures
over receipts at the close Of the last
fiscal year of s42,000,000, and tho offi-
cial monthly reports made by the
Treasury Department show that the e1-
penditures are continuously and rapidly
increasing, while the receipts are d.
plinishing.
In this connection it is interesting to
note the recent administrative orders
forbidding government officers from
making public any statement Of esti-I
mates on which future appropriations
are to be based.
II man OF ordinary intelligence and
prudence should find in the operating
expenses of his business such tre-
! mendous percentage Of increase, would
he not promptly set on foot an inquiry
| for the cause of the waste, and take
immediate measures to stop 1t, espe-
cially when trusted employees have
been found dishonest and convicted,
and a widespread impression exists
that a thorough investigation may dis
cover other cases Of malfeasance?
When the Chief Executive reported to
| Congress that, through frauds, forge
ries 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 Postoffice Department have been
notoriously violated there
was a general popular demand for
rigid, sweeping investigation by Con-
gress, in addition to that undertaken
by the Executive himself. Such an In
yestigation the Republican majority IN
Congress would not permit, although
the minority insisted that the interests
of good government demanded 1t: And
! the minority was right. The liberallty,
patriotism and national pride OF the
people should not be made an excuse
for waste of the public funds. Onlclai
extravaganza is official crime.
There is not sentence in the Re
publican platform recommending a re-
duction in the expenditures Of the gov
ernment; not line suggesting that the
increase in the cost Of the War De-
partment from $34,00O,000 in 1886 to
Sis 900, 900 in 1904, should be inquired
into; and not paragraph calling Tor
thorough investigation Of those depart
ments of the government in which dis
honesty has been recently disclosed.
Reform in expenditures must be had
in both the Civil, Military and Naval
/ establishments in order that the ma
, t:onal expenditures may be brought to
basis of peace and tie government
maintained without recourse to the
taxes OF war.
CONCLUSION.
/ have put aside congenial WORK,
to which l had expected to devote my
life, in order to assume, as best can,
the responsibilities your convention put
upon me.
I solicit the cordial cooperation and
generous assistance Of every man who
believes that chance 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
demanded or shall extravaganza be en-
couraged?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought to
bay by the people, or must justice wait
upon political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for equal
opportunity or for special privilege?
Shall it remain government OF law
or become one Of individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule Of the peo-
pie. or shall We embrace beneticent
despotism?
| With calmness and confidence, we
await the people's verdict.