The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-10-20
Are THEY BLUNOERS?
Mistakes Of Many Millions OF
Dollars Made.
pARKeR's STUDIED LETTER HAS THEM

Immense ExaeeeratIon In Expendi-
tures Of the Nation Undermine the
Democratic candidateg Claims Re.
gardlno Them-How the Facts Re-
flute His Affectation Of "Reforn In
Expenditures"
Parker's letter Of acceptance de-
votes large part of its space to
statements about the expenses of the
government He goes back to 1876,
and then compares the first fiscal year
Of Cleveland's first term (SS6) and
ignores all the other seven years of
Cleveland's service. This very fact
betrays the weakness of his cause and
some might say that it convicts Judge
people by withholding most of the
Parker of willful intent to deceive the
facts concerning the career of his
own party in respect of this matter.
The 1875 figures seem to be quoted
chiefly to afford chance to lug in
praise of Samuel ]. Tilden. The 1886
| figures, which are the only ones of
Cleveland's administration explicitly
stated, afford some fine comparisons
with what the Democrats themselves
did while they were in power. This
comparison, also, illustrates the injus-
tice of Parker's position upon this
point, and emphasizes the inaccuracy
Of some of his statements. They show
that large part of this increase in
government expense. which he blames
upon the Republicans, was begun by
the Democrats before the Spanish war.
His argument is that he ought to be
elected because the Republicans are
extravagant. Since the records show
that his own party has been equally ex-
travagant, with less occasion. his own
logic would put Parker out of the race.
In the fiscal year ending June 30,
1896, the first full one of Mr.. Cleve-
lands first term, the actual expendi.
lures Of the government were $21 ,000.-
900 less than Mr.. Parker states, being
1921 $4,000 Ten years later, (1896,)
the third fiscal year of Mr.. Cleveland's
second term, and one that was entirely
his own. the actual expenditures of the
United States government were $780,
S39, ,221, an increase Of about Sic, ,000.-
900 in 10 years. A corresponding in
crease now would bring the total ex.
penditures up to about $450,000, 900.
II conditions continued the same.
However, the conditions did not con.
tinue the same, for President Cleve-
land left as legacy to President Nc
Kinley the Cuban complications, which
soon caused the war with Spain. Not
only did that war involve immense
immediate expense, but 1t taught the
country that the United States was
in imminent peril from attack by land
and by sea and was almost defenseless
against any strong power. Had any
nation less crippled than Spain been
our adversary, this country, by reason
Of the past policy like that now prais-
mendous price for the Parker kind Of
economy. Immediately from every
part of our vast coast line and from
all over the country, south as well as
north, the people began to call for
more efficient army and navy and for
a system Of protection equal to any
emergency. Elaborate plans Of coast
defense comprehensive system Of
warships sufficient to secure the safe
ty of our shores and our shipping,
were begun. This has cost money 1t
will cost more money, but the people
wanted 1t. both parties have united In
the legislation for 1t, and It is arrant
demagogery for the Democrats now to
attempt to make campaign material
out Of 1t. II Parker don't know better
what Is his capacity for the Office Of
president? II he does know better,
what is his honesty as candidate?
These circumstances alone account
fer all of the increase in the expense
of the government since Cleveland's in.
action left the Cuban war and Its con.
sequences to be cared for by his sue
/ cessor. II does not account for the In.
crease of s116,000.000 a year, more
than 80 per cent. in the actual ex-
penses of the government under
Cleveland himself. We are not object
ing to this increase in itself, because
this is big and growing country, and
Parker's stinginess would be the cost
liest kind Of economy. We do object,
however, when Parker blames upon
the Republicans this Cleveland in
crease that was entirely the work Of
Democratic president, and Of con-
gress Democratic In both senate and
house Mr.. Parker must know these
facts. Why did he suppress them In
his letter of acceptance? Blaming the
army and navy, as he does, for the big
end of the increase in expenses, why
did not his praise of Cleveland include
the fact that over $16,000,000 Of the
increase in annual expense under him
in 10 years was due to the army and
$18,000,000 a year was due to the
navy. That was In time Of peace, too,
with little preparation for the
war that came so quickly afterward,
pushed by Parker's party.
The last fiscal year of the Cleveland
administration, with expenses amount
Ing TO $S5O,235, ,905, or 1929, 10000, 900
more than Mr.. Cleveland's first year,
Is quite ignored by Mr.. Parker. He
must know the figures for It, because
he said that "the expenses Of the frst
/, four vaoro ouNoaodin0 tho Iaat nov,n-