Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-07-30
plattcrra refers to the failure Of the

platfcrra refers to the failure of the
Republican convention to express an
opinion in favor of the publicity of
contributions received and expendi-
lures made in elections. Here again
we contrast cur opponents' promises
with our own acts. Great improve
| ment has taken place under Republi-
can auspices In respect to the collec-
ton and expenditure of money for
this purpose. The old and pernicious
system of levying tax on the salaries
of government employee in order to
| pay the expenses of the party in con-
troll of the administration has been
| abolished by statute. BY law passed
by the Republican congress in 1907
contributions from corporations to in
| fiuence or pay the expenses connected
with the election of presidential cleo
tors or of members of congress is
forbidden under penalty. A resident
| of New York has been selected as
treasurer of the Republican national
committee, who was treasurer OF the
Republican state committee when
Governor Hughes was elected In New
York and who made complete state
ment within twenty days after the
election as required by the New York
law. of the contributions received by
him and the expenditures made by
him or under his authority in con-
nection with that election. His resi-
dence and the discharge of his duties
In the state Of New York subject him
to the law of that state as to all re-
| ceipts of the treasury of the national
committee from whatever source, and
| au fo oil ifc lick,
turns will be under the obligations and
| penalties of the law, and misstate-
| ment by him or the filing of false ac-
count will subject him to prosecution
| for perjury and violation of the stat
ute. OF course. under the federal
law. he is not permitted to receive
any contributions from corporations
| II I am elected president, shall
urge upon congress, with every hope
of success, that the law be passed re-
quiring a filing in federal Office OF
a statement of contributions filed by
committees and candidates in elec-
lions for members of congress, and In
such other elections as are constitu-
tionally within the control of congress
Meantime the Republican party, by
the selection of New York treasurer
has subjected all its receipts and ex-
penditures to the compulsory obliga-
| ton of such law.
As TO the Income Tax
The Democratic platform demands
| two constitutional amendments, one
providing for an income tax, and the
other Tor the election of senators by
the people. In my judgment, ar
4 amendment to the constitution for ar
income tax is not necessary. be.
lieve that an income tax, when the
| protective systems of customs and the
! internal revenue tax shall not furnish
income enough for governmental need.
can and should be devised which un
der the decisions of the supreme court
will conform to the constitution.
Election of Senators
! With respect to the election of sen.
ators by the people, personally I an
Inclined to favor 1t, but 1t is hardly
a party question A resolution in Its
favor has passed Republican house
| of Representatives several times an6
4 has been rejected in a Republican
senate by the votes Of senators from
! both parties. 1t has been approved
by the legislatures of many Republi.
/ can states. In number of states
both Democratic and Republican sub.
stantially such system prevails.
Offices and Expenditures
! Our opponents denounce the Re
publican party for increasing the
number of Offices $4,000 at cost Of
sixteen millions Of dollars during the
last year. Such denunciation is char.
acteristic Of the Democratic platform
1t fails to specify in any what tl;
offices are and leaves the inference
that the increase was resisted by ths
representatives of Democracy in con.
gress AS matter Of fact. the net
number of offices increased was just
| about half that number stated; the
net increase was due chiefly to the
enlargement Of the navy, the con-
struction Of the Panama canal, the ex-
tension of the rural free delivery and
to the new offices necessary In the
enforcement Of the pure food, meal
inspection, railroad rate regulation
arid land reclamation, forest preser-
walton and other measures which con-
gress passed with almost unanim Gus
! popular approval. The Democratic
platform SO far from attacking any
of this legislation specifically ap-
4 proved much, and condemns none OF
it, and it is of course disingenious tc
claim credit for approving Legislation
necessary to give 1t effect and yet tc
Jenounce the expenditure.
Charge of Deficit
Again 1t charges that deficit OF
sixty millions of dollars between the
receipts and expenditures during the
| fiscal year ending June 80, 1908, oc-
cured, AS explained by the secre-
| tary of the treasury. at least half OF
this deficit Is only an apparent one.
The falling off in receipts was, OF
course, occasioned by the unusual
panic, but there Is ample free money
| in the treasury to meet the difference
and the difference itself is not half
Of it properly a deficit. because in
volved in 1t was the retirement of
some thirty-three millions Of the
bonds Of the government. During the
past seven years the income and ex-
penditures Of the government have
been nearly equal, some years show
| ing a surplus, and others, fewer in
number, a deficit. Taking one year
with another, including this spring,
there has been an average surplus.
Tho surplus last year, for instance.
erreafer than thu deAoif fIfo