The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-09-26

1elenuer as dkdlnst European d6BteoSiohc.
II means that we repudiate the role OF
the American continental policeman; that
we refuse 10 act debt collector for foreign
states or their citizens; that we respect
the independent sovereignty or each
American state and its right TO preserve
order and otherwise regulate its own In
ternal affairs In Its own way; and that
any intervention In It's affairs by US limit
ed 10 the single office or enabling It's peo-
pie to work out their own political and
national destiny for themselves free from
the coercion OF any European state.
REFORM IN GOVERNMENTAL Ex.
PENDITUREs.
Twenty eight years have passed since
the Democratic party OF tho state OF New
York. in convention assembled. recon-
mended 10 the National Democracy the
nomination of Samuel J. Tilden as its
candidate for the presidency, and de-
clared II tc be their settled conviction
that return to- the const-
tutional principles. frugal ex-
penses and administrative pur-
ity of the founders OF the republic Is the
first and most imperious duty OF the time,
the commanding issue now before the
people of the Union" This strong ex-
preston was called forth by the national
expenditures for the year 1873. which
amounted 10
which, In the opinion OF a majority OF
our people, justified an imperative de-
mand for reform In the administration
of public affairs. As the expenditures
of the last fiscal year amounted TO the
enormous total OF $Ss2. .0o0. 900. IL Is evil
dent that a thorough investigation of
the public service and the immediate
abandonment OF useless and extravagant
expenditures are more necessary now
tkAv at
increase Is out OF all proportion to the
increase Of our population. and finds no
excuse from whatever aspect we view
the situation. The National Democratic
platform declares that large reductions
can easily be made in the annual ex-
pendtures OF the government without
impairing the efficiency OF any branch
OF the public service" Can there be any
doubt of the accuracy Of this statement
Between the expenditures of the year 1856.
amounting TO s242, 900 and those OF the
last fiscal year-the seventh after Grover
Cleveland ceased 10 be president-aggre-
eating $5s2 900 900, there Is difference
so great as to excite alarm In the breasts
of all thoughtful men. Even excluding
the sum of $4,000. 900 paid for the Panama
Canal rights and 10 the state of Panama
| the expenditures OF the last fiscal year
| exceeded the sum Of s532 .ooo. 900, being
more than double tho expenditures OF the
government for all purposes during the
| first year OF Mr.. Cleveland's administra-
| tion.
The expenses OF the first four years
| succeeding the last Democratic admins
| tration amounted 10 the enormous aver
age of SSH 100000 per year. Thls iarge
| expenditure was due TO considerable
extent TO the cost OF the Spanish -Ameri-
| can war. which occurred during that Pc
| riod: but the termination OF that wal
| brought no relief to the treasury, tor the
| average annual expenses OF the govern
| ment, during the three subsequent year
| ending June 30. 1904, were about sols'vu''
900. which is the largest sum hitnertc
! reached, during like perioo' since 'ie
| close of the Civil war.
This draft upon the revenues or the
| country has had the effect which miGh'
| have been anticipated. and now we nave
| presented the reverse OF the sltustiol
| which led TO the famous observation Il
is a condition, and not theory, whicf
confronts US" for. although the presen
| incumbent found at the close Oh tn'
first fiscal year. during which ne assumes
| control of the administration. surplus
NJ receipts over expenditures or more
than sol. 900. .oOO there was an excess O
aXpanditures over receipts at the Close
of the last fiscal year OF S4l,WV'"V' ai'
the OFFICIAL monthly reports mace py TN
treasury department show that the ex
nenditures are continuously and rap'1l!
increasing, while the receipts are di'nlh
ishing. ,. ,
rota the recent administrative orders foi
| Kidding government officers from maxim
| nuh,c anv statement or estimates
which future appropriations are 10
J based. ,,,o or
T, man of ordinary intelligence an
prudence should find In the operating %
. nanses ~ his business such tremendo'
ps~oanta.e OF Increase, would he M
! nromntly set on foot an inquiry Tor u
cause OF the waste, and take immedls
, | measures to stop II, especially "ns
. trusted employees have been touho VI
, | honest and convicted and a widespres
impression exists that thorough inves'
sation may discover other cases or ins
sea.anceq When the chief executive r
:, ,,or,.d to congress that, through fraud
: forgeries and perjuries. and by shameie
hriher,es the laws relating TO the prop
, | conduct Of the public service In genert
and to the due administration ol
nostoffice department have been noto
iously violated there was
general popular demand Tor ris'
sween,np investigation by congress,
addition To that undertaken by the ex
{ cutIve himself Such an investigaton
Republican majority In congress won
E not neru,it. although the minority
sisted that the interests Of good COVER
m.nt demanded IT. And the mihori
a was right. The liberality. patriotism a
; national pride OF the people should y
q he made an excuse for waste or the pun
: funds. Official extravaganza Is onlc
crime. ,.
Tbere Is not a sentence In the Repup
can platform recommending reducu
in IN. expenditures OF the governmer
E, not a line suggesting that the increase
" the cost Of the war department irs
Z sst 600 900 in 1856 TO sll5ooo,Vo In ~
= should be inquired into; and not a pal
,e graph calling for a thorough Investigate
l. of those departments of the governme
l. in which dishonesty has been recen
m disclosed.
"a The people. however. can by their vot
10 ~ thew desire II, order such an investie
r, tion ana inauguarate a policy OF eoonoi
"A ana retrenohment. II 10 safe TO say u
this will not be accomplished by endo
IN ins at the polls the Republican major
80 OF the house OF representatives which
fused the investigation and made the
nropriations. nor by continuing In pow