The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1904-10-07

our people JuSunea an imperative &c
mand for reform IN the administration
OF public affairs AS the expenditures
OF the last fiscal year amounted TO the
enormous total Of $3.50. 100000. Il IS evil
dent that a thorough investigate Of
the public service and the immediate
abandonment OF useless and eXtraTa-
CANT expenditures are more necessary
now than they were then. This as
founding increase IS out OF all proper
ton to the fncfease OF our population
and finds no excuse from whatever as
pect We view the situation The Ma
tfOual Democratic platform declares
that large reductions can easily be
made in the annual expenditures OF
the Government without impairing the
efficiency Of any branch OF the public
serviceZ' Can there be any doubt OF
the accuracy OF this statement Be
tween the expenditures OF the year
1885. amounting to S242. 600. 600. and
those OF the last fiscal year-the sew
enth after Grover Cleveland ceased to
be President - aggrega ting $3.50. OOO,
900. there is q difference so great as TO
excite alarm in the breasts Of all
thoughtful men, Even excluding the
sum OF S5OOOO.OOO paid for the Pan
ANA Canal rights and to the State OF
Panama. the expenditures Of the last
fiscal year exceeded the sum OF S532.-
OOOO 900. being more than double the
expenditures Of the Government for all
purposes during the first year OF Mr.
Cleveland's administration
The expenses Of the first four years
succeeding the last Democratic Ad-
ministratfOn amounted 10 the enormous
average OF S511. 900. 600 per year. This
large expenditure was due 10 a cOnsid-
cradle extent 70 the cost OF the Span
fsh-American War. which occurred
during that period. but the termination
Of that war brought no relief to the
Trea sury. for the average annual eL-
penses Of the Government during the
three subsequent years ending June 30.
1904. were about S519.OOO.O CO., which is
the largest sum hitherto reached, dur
ing a like period. since the close OF the
Civil war.
CONCEALMENT OF CONDITIONS.
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 stu
alton, which led 70 the famous obser-
walton, 1T is a condition. and not
theory. which confrOnts us" for, al
though the present incumbent found at
the close OF the first fiscal year, dur
administrati ton, q surplus OF receipts
over expenditures or more than SOL
10000. there was an excess OF eXpeu-
ditures over receipts at the close OF the
last fiscal year Of 81. 100000, and the
official monthly reports made by the
Treasury Department show that the
expenditures are continuously ana
rapidly increasing, while the receipts
are diminishing.
In this connection il is interesting
to note the recent Administrative or
ders fOrbidding Government officers
from making public any statement OF
estimates on which future appropria-
tons are to be based
If q man Of ordinary intelligence
and prudence should find in the Operat-
ing expenses OF his business such a
tremendous percentage Of increase,
would he not promptly set on foot an
inquiry for the cause Of the waste, and
take immediate steps TO stop II, espe-
ciaIly when trusted employees have
been found dishonest and convicted,
and 4 widespread impression exists
that a thorough investigation may dis
cover other cases Of malfeasanceE
When the Chief Executive reports to
Congress that, through fraud, fOrger-
les and Derjuries, and by shameless
briberies the law relating TO the proper
conduct Of the public service IN gen
eral, and 10 the due administration OF
the POStOffice Department have been
VIGOROUSLY violated there
was a general popular demand for a
rigid, sweeping investigation by Con-
gress, in addition to that undertaken
by the Executive himself Such an
investigation the Republican majority
= ~
though the minority insisted that the
interest Of good government demanded
il. And the minority was right. The
HberaIity, patriotism 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-
| licGn platform recOmms ending n reduc-
/ ton in the expenditure Of the Govern
ment; not q line suggesting that the
| increase in the cost OF the War Depart
ment from So. 100000 in 1886 10 S115,-
I 100000 in 1904. should be inquired into;
7 and not a paragraph calling for a thor
I Cugh investigation OF those depart
ments OF the Government in which dis
I honesty has been recently disclosed
The people, however, can by their
] HULEer AlEL nEHlEE IL OL4GL culA al
I investigation and inaugurate a policy
/ OF economy and retreuchment. 1t is
I safe TO say that this win not be &C
/ cOmplished by endorsing at the polls
/ the Republican majority Of the House
/ OF Representatives which refused the
/ Investigation and made the appropria-
/ tons, nor by continuing in power the
/ Administration which made the dis
] bursements.
Reform in expenditures must be had
1 IN the Civil, Military and Naval es-
adjustments in order that the National
! expenditures may be brought 20 a
basis OF peace and the Government
I maintained without recourse to the
taxes OF war.
CONCLUSION.
I have put aside a congenial work,
to which had expected 70 devote my
Life. IN order to assume, as best ]
can, the responsibilities your c0nven-
ton put upon me-
I solicit the cordial cooperation and