The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-02
TAFT CONCILIATES THE PROGRESSIVES


 billion dollars per year. The total of appropriations is not true indication of the expenses derived from taxation As an illustration I cite the postoHlce department. In addition to the net ordi- nary expenses of s66O O00.00O appropriated by Congress last year, there were also appropriated for the expenditures of the postoffice department alone approximate ly S25O 1000. But the postal revenues are practically equal to the postal ex- penditures and the burden of that de- partment upon taxpayers this year will therefore be practically nothing.
 Reducing Expenses
 Our democratic friends are saying that if the democratic party came into power it would reduce the expenses of this government $S00000,000 Do they mean that the democrats would abolish the pension list? Do they rpesn that they would give up the navy and disband the army? Do they mean that they would abandon Porto Rico and the Sandwich Islands and the Philippines? Let us have a little specification. What are such statements worth unless the gentlemen who make them give up the details or the expenditures that they criticise ana expect us to avoid if they are let into mower and become themselves the na- tional government.
 It is possible to save money Tn carving on this government. and we are struggling in this administration to find out how modern business prin- ciples of organization and efficiency may be applied to a governmental structure that has been handed down for 100 years and has never been re- organized with the idea of securing modern business economy.
 New York situation
 But it is hard work and when one speaks glibly of s30o,000,00O being saved each year in the ordinary con duct of the government and when that saving Is to be made under the d. rection of a party so lacking in ev- erything that goes to make up business cohesiveness and singleness of aim and view as the democratic party, we may regard the statement as Pickwickian- I cannot close these remarks without a reference to the action taken by our party in the state of New York dur ing the present week. The cause of republicanism has been heartened by a brave declaration of principle and by the nomination of an exceptionally satisfactory ticket with a candidate for governor of the highest character and ability. Henry L. Stimson has been the powerful ally of good government in this administration and the last He has been a terror to evildoers. l re- joice in his selection.
 It is possible in such a government as ours to lose deserved popular ap- proval through misrepresentation and misunderstanding But mistakes of this kind are not permanent. Let us con- stantly remember that if we stick to. our principles, if i've insist upon eff ciency in government, if we perform our promises in the future as in the past when opportunity offers, if we stand shoulder to shoulder in the de- termination to carry on the work of progress as we have understood it, then beca use we are an effective and progressive party, because we do know how practically to carry on govern ment, because we have principles by which we propose to stand in the face of victory or defeat, we shall certainly be continued in power.