Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-09-13

William r. Wilcox, chairman Of the
Republican National committee, has re-
ceived from Senator Penrose a brief
but positive summing up Of the ex-
travagances of the Wilson administra-
ton during the session of congress just
about to close. The senator says:
when the country realizes what this
congress has done in the way Of ap-
preparations it will be dumfounded.
Already it has been shown that over
billion, seven OF eight hundred mil
lion dollars have been appropriated
more money than was ever appropri-
ated in any one year in the history Of
the American government. The total
will reach nearly 100000 before
the end Of this carnival Of debauch-
cry in public expenditures is reached,
because no account has been taken of
the $25,OOO,OOO for the Danish islands,
the $3O,OOO,OOO which the government
will probably have to refund as re-
suit Of the 5 per cent rebate allowed
On importations brought across the seas
in American bottoms, and other mat
tiers which are likely to come up.
1T Is only too evident that this bill
which is expected to bring In some
| $2OO,OOO,OOO will absolutely fail to
meet even the requirements for the
| Ill advised and certainly not urgent
projects authorized by the present con-
| gress.
"It Is now claimed that these pro-
jects are to be financed by the issu-
ance Of Panama canal bonds. The
American people will regard such a
proceeding as a very queer one be-
cause the issuing Of bonds by the
Cleveland administration largely help
ed to bring about the downfall Of the
Democratic party in 1896. A bond
issue has ever since been viewed with
adherence by the Democracy; now,
we find the party leaders compelled
by reason Of their extravaganza and
inefhciency, to resort to it.
ITO defray the expenses Of nitrate
plant and of a shipping board and
many other needless projects by the is
suing Of Panama bonds will be In the
last analysis equivalent to paying fol
them by bond issues. These bonds are
lying in the treasury unissued as the
result Of the thrift and economy and
wise administration of the Republican
party.
"Only about $13O,OOO,OOO of bonds
were put out in the construction Of the
Panama canal The balance Of the
cost of that stupendous undertaking
was paid out Of current revenues; anG
now, to advance the novel doctrine
that these bonds which represent the
thrift Of preceding years shall be is
sued for these questionable projects is
to my mind, preposterous. In fact, i
was expressly provided in the Spoon
er act that Panama canal bonds should
not be issued for any other purpose
than that of the construction of the
} canal, and the ingenious theory tina
they can be issued now to repay the
treasury and that then the money cal
be squandered by the party in power
to finance doubtful projects and tt
make good a deficit will not alter the
. fact that such a deficit exists.
'No amount of reasoning on the par
of the chairman of the committee or
u finance will alter the fact that outside
of preparedness there has been at leas
$20O,O0O,O00 of wasteful appropriation:
and expenditures by the present con
gress That condition of the treasury
will absolutely necessitate the with
, holding Of contracts for battleship:
and delay the whole scheme of pre-
paredneSs.
1.-THE figures of the secretary of tht
treasury may be juggled as they may
: but when the secretary is up agains
the brute fact of not having money t.
pay for these projects he will then fine
that figures will not make a surplu.
in the treasury"
:. j. !. +. i. !. !. Il X X X Il