The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-12-05

Bile to lay down any general rule by
which to determine The moment
when the reasons for will outweigh
the reasons against such a change.
But in time of peace
the must on the average, TAX
ing a series of years together, equaI
the expenditures or else the revenue
must be increased. Last year there
was a deficit. Unless our eXpendl-
lures can be kept within the
then our evenue laws must be read
justed. 1t is as yet too early to at
tempt to outline what shape such a
readjustment should take, for it is as
yet too early to say whether there
will be need for it. 1t should be con-
sidered whether it is not desirable
that the tariff laws should provide
for applying as against or in favor of
any other nation maximum and mini
mum tariff rates established by the
Congress, so as to secure a certain
reciprocity of treatment betwee 9th
er nations and ourselves. Having in
view even larger considerations of
policy than those of purely economic
nature, it would, in my judgment, be
we'll to endeavor to bring about clos
er commercial connections with the
other peoples of this continent. | am
happy to be able to to you
that Russia now treats us on the o
favored nation basis.
Economy in Expenditures.
1 earnestly recommend to the Con-
gress the need of economy and to
this end a rigid scrutiny of appropria
tions. rs examples merely, l call
your attention to N or two specific
matters. All unnecessary offices
should be abolished. The Commits
Toner of the General Land Office rec
ommends the adjustment of the of
e. ~ -ooa;-a- 80 .,,Alio Donnnuc for
United States land offices. This will
effect a saving of about a quarter of
a million dollars a year. AS the bu-
siness of the Nation grows it is inevi-
table that there should be from time
to time a legitimate increase in the
number of officials, n this fact rem
ders it all the more important that
when offices become unnecessary they
should be abolished. In the public
printing also a large saving of public
money can be made. There is a con-
stantly growing tendency to publish
masses of unimpOrtant Information.
1t is probably not unfair to say that
many tens of thousands of volumes
are published at which nc human be-
ing ever o and for which there is
no real demand whatever
Yet, in speaking of economy, L
must in no wise be understood as
advocating the false economy which
is in the end the worst extravaganza.
To cut down on the Navy, for instance
would be a crime against the Nation.
To fail to push forward all work on
the Panama Canal would be as great
a folly.
Business Methods in Departments
At various times l have instituted
Investigations into the organization
and cord,ct of the business of the
Executive Department. While none
of these inquiries have yet progressed
far enough to warrant final conclu-
sions. they have already confirmed
and emphasized the general impress
sion that the Organization of the De
partment is often faulty in principle
and wasteful in results. while many
of their business methods are anti
quated and inefficient. There is every
reason why our executive government
tai machinery should be at least as
we'll planned, economical, and efhc-
lent as the best machinery OF the
great business organizations. which
at present is not the case. To make
1t so Is a task of complex detail and
essentially executive in its nature;
probably no legislative body. no mat
ter how wise and able. could under
take it with reasonable prospect OF
success. l recommend that the Con-
gress consider this subject with a
view to provide by legislation for the
transfer. distribution, consolidation.
and assignment of duties and eXecu-
tive organizations or parts of organi-
cations, and for the changes in bust
ness methods, within Or between the
several Departments, that will best
promote the economy, efficiency, n
high character of the Government
work.
Federal Elections.
In political campaigns
in a country as large and populous as
ours it is inevitable that there should
be much expense of an entirely legiti-
mate kind. This, of course, means
that many contributions, n some of
them of large size. must be made, and
as a matter of fact, in N big polit1-
cal contest such contributions are al
ways made on both Sides. 1t is en-
tirely proper both to give and receive
them, unless there is an improper
motive connected with either gift or
reception. If they are eXtorted by
n kind of pressure or promise, ex-
press implied, direct or indirect, in
the way of favor or immunity, then
the giving or receiving becomes not
only improper but criminal. 1t will
undoubtedly be difficult as a matter
of practical detail to shape an act
which shall guard with reasonable
certainty against such Misconduct;
but II it is possible to secure by law
the full and verified publication in
detail of all he sums contributed to
and expended by the candidates or
committees of any political parties
the result can not but be wholesome.
All contributions by corporations to
any political committee or for any
political purpose should be forbidden
by law; directors should not be per-
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