Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-06-12
Washington News.

Special Correspondence, ashlilg-
ton, D. c., June 4.
Congress adjourned with an unsur-
passed record of over one billion ap-
preparations for one year. Just think
of the axact amount sI,o0S, so4, s95.57--
1t is only few years ago that a bll
lion dollars Congress broke the record,
but new we have that enormous am
cunt more than doubled, for the APP
preparations now made are for Que year
only.
AS the population is now estimated at
about 81 millions, the expenditures 10
the coming fiscal year will exceed sl2
per capita, or $50 per family. That IS
SIS month for each man topay in tax
es to the Federal Government whether
he is rich or poor, a business man,
farmer, or a wage Garner.
The Republican party certainly IS
record breaker for spending money,
but unfortunately its record for spend
ing will not be equaled by the receipts
lSI tBt tEtllIdlt Vi lnO 1bettti'iaii ~ VIZ
Ways and Means Committee of the
receipts of the government forthe conf
ing fiscal year is S15U, 100000 less than
the appropriations. But that did not
have any effect on the Republics" as
soeiates of the Chairman, although he
repeatedly warned them of the deficit
for the present year of $50, 000,o 900 and
of the far greater deficit of 1909.
Congress started out to do nothing
but pass the appropriation bills and to
stand pat on everything else, and as
for useful or reform legislation, it came
mighty near carrying out the designs
of its leaders. AT the last minute it did
pass a com ro1nise currency bill, that
only seems to satisfy the Rockefeller
Interest in Wall Street, because it will
create market for their railroad bonds
ard allow them TO dominate the finan-
cial interest of The country.
Thus Congress may have caused an
other record TO be broken, for the cam
paign contributions from the favored
financial Interests should certainly sur
pass their former rec srd in that direct
ions. Instead of that malefactor of
great wealth, the notorious Mr.. Har-
rimen, raising the large amout reques-
ted by President Roosevelt, he will be
an migrate if he does not at least dou-
Bile it. Then the tariff protected trusts
should certainly respond handsomely,
for did not Congress stand pat and re-
fused to touch The sacred tariff? Also
the railroad corporations VIII surely be
willing to su rpass their former contri-
buttons to Republican campaign funds
If they have a spark of reciprocity in
their makeup, for did not Congress re-
fuse to NEEDLE with railroad legisla-
ton?
If you think this too strong a Dem.
ocratic view of our record breaking
Congress, ask the representative OF
the Business Mems Association
or the member of the legislative
Committee of the National Grange
or the Labor organization, how they
Jared with important legislation they
asked for Can you find anyone but 8
Republican politician, who has t.
agree with whatever is done, that i.
satisfied?
The attempt TO pass Force bill by
lacking it on 10 the bill for Publicity o.
Campaign contributions was perhaps
smart political track, but the Repub
iiean parry cannot eyade its obligation
10 the people Of such evasion of its re
s5onsibility. The republican party is
in absolute control of the government
with large majority in both IA GU SCI
Of Congress. II could, therefore, leg
aslate as it chooses.
There was al almost uniyersalE de
maud for law requiring the seyera
political parties to publish the names
Of contributors and the amount con
tributed for campaign funds, and &c
make it unlawful to accept money
from corporations.