Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-28

from corporations to influence or pay the
expenses connected with the election OF
presidential electors or Of members OF
Congress are forbidden under penalty
"A resident of New YORK mas Deen
selected as treasurer of the republican
national committee. who was treasurer
of the republican state committee When
Gov Hughes was elected IN new 19rk,
and who made a complete statement
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 connection with that cleo
ton. His residence and the d1scharge
of his duties in the state of New YORK
subject him to the law of that state as
to all receipts of the treasury or the ma
tional committee from whatever source
and as to all its disbursements. His re-
turns will be under the obligations and
penalties of the law. and miss'atement
by him or the filing of a false account
will subject him to prosecution 1or per.
jury and violation of the statute VI
course under the federal law. he Is not
permitted TO receive any contributions
from corporations.
"If I am elected President. shall
| urge upon Congress, with every hope OF
success, that a law be passed requiring
a filing in a federal office OF statement
Of the contributions received by commit
l tees ana CdnO1O8IeS III tleCtIOAS AOA AiCAAA-
bers Of Congress, and In. such other cleo
lions as are constitutionally within the
control of Congress. Meantime the re-
publican party by the selection OF New
York treasurer has subjected all Its re-
cefpts and expenditures to the compul-
sorry obligation OF such a law.
Income Tax.
"The democratic platform demands two
constitutional amendments, one providing
for an income tax and the other for the
election of senators by the people. In my
judgment an amendment to the Constitu-
| ton for an income tax is not necessary.
1 believe that anstncome tax, when the
protective system Of customs and the In
ternal revenue tax shall not furnish In
come enough for governmental needs. can
and should be devised which under the
decisions of the Supreme Court will con-
form to the Constitution.
Election Of Senator's.
with respect to the election of senators
by the people. personally I am inclined
to favor it, but it is hardly a party ques-
ton. A resolution in its favor has
passed a republican House of Repre-
sentatives several times and has been re-
jected in republican Senate by the votes
Of senators from both parties. It has
republican states. In number of states.
both democratic and republican. subsean-
TALLY such system now prevails.
Democratic Charges of Extravaganza
"Our opponents denounce the republican
party for increasing the number of offices
$4,000. at cost Of $16,OOO0OO. during the
last year. Such denunciation is charac-
teristic of the democratic platform. 1t
foil 10 ~ In hat fhn ,f-
fees are. and leaves the inference that
the increase was resisted by the repre-
sentatives of democracy in Congress. AS
a matter of fact the net number of Of
fees increased was just about half the
number stated: the increase was due
chiefly to the enlargement of the navy,
the construction of the Panama canal, the
extension of the rural free delivery and
to the new offices necessary in the en-
forcement of the pure food, meat inspec-
ton. railroad rate regulation. arid land
reclamation, forest preservation and other
measures which Congress passed with al
most unanimous popular approval. The
democratic platform, SO far FROM attack
ing any of this legislation. specifically ap-
proves much and condemns none Of 1t,
and it is. of course disngenuous to claim
credit for approving legislation and yet
to denOunce the expenditures necessary to
give 1t effect.
Charge Of Deficit.
"Again, it charges that a deficit of
sixty millions of dollars between the re-
ceipts and expenditures during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1903, occurred. AS
explained by the Secretary of the Treas
ury. at least half of this deficit is only
an apparent one. The falling off in re-
ceipts was, of course, occasioned by the
unusual panic but there is ample free
money in the Treasury to meet the differ
| ence, and the difference itself is not half
of 1t properly a deficit, because involved
in il was the retirement of some thirty
three millions Of the bonds Of the gov
eminent.
During the past seven years the in
come and expenditures of the government
have been nearly equal, some years show
ing a surplus and Others fewer in num-
ber deficit. Taking one year with an
other, including this year. there has been
an average surplus. The surplus last
year, for instance, was greater than the
deficit this year, SO that, in fact, under
the present administration there has been
no deficit, but surplus which is actually
in the Treasury.
THE democratic platform nowhere
points out the expenditures which might
be reduced or avoided. 1t would be found
generally that to the increases which have
occurred democratic representatives in
Congress made no opposition, but rather
supported the measures providing lem,
ana now the party mas not TIE courage 10
indicate what part of government cost it
would end. 1t joins the republican party
specifically in approving the outlay of
$l5OGOU.OO0 as pensions. 1t expressly IA
vors also the cost Of greatly increased
river and harbOr Improvements the cost
of doubling the navy and of many other
enterprises to which 1t urges the gsy-
eminent It's attack, therefore, has moth
ing in 1t of fairness or sincerity.
Efficiency Of Administration.
''The truth is that it is known of all
fair minded men that there never has
been an administration in the govern
ment more efficiently conducted more free
from scandal, and in which the standard
Of official duty has been set higher than
in the present republican administration,
which the democratic platform has thus
denounced. 1t has had to meet the prob
lens arising from the enormous expan-
sion of government functions under new
legislative measures we'll as in the new
dependencies, and in the greatest con-
structive work of modern times. the Pan
anna canal, and it's members may we'll feel
just pride in the exceptional record for
efficiency. economy. honesty and fidelity
which 1t has made. We may rely upon
our record in this regard In. an appeal to
the American people for their approval.
''The foreign policy of this country. I'M