The Delta independent., 1916-09-15

Mllllam IL. WILCOX. VI
the Republican National Committee,
has received from Senator Penrose a
brief but positive summing up of the
extravagances of the Wilson Admins
tration during the session of Congress
lust about to close. The Senator
says:
when the country realizes what
this Congress has done in the way of
appropriations 1t will be dumfounded.
Already, 1t has been shown that over
billion, seven or 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 to-
tai will reach nearly two billion dol
lars before the end OF this carnival
of debauchery In public expenditures
is reached, because no account has
been taken of the twenty-five millions
for the Danish Islands. the thirty mil
lions which the government Will prob
ably have to refund as result Of
the FIVE per cent rebate allowed on
importations brought across the seas
in American bottoms, and other mat
ters which are likely to come up.
1T is only too evident that this bill
which Is expected to bring In some
two hundred million dollars will alb
solutely fail to meet even the require
ments for the ill-advised and certalnly
not urgent projects authorized by the
present Congress.
1T 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 II
proceeding as a very queer one he
cause the issuing Of bonds by th'
Cleveland Administration largely help
ed to bring about the downfall Of ih'
Democratic perty In 1896. 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
inefficiency. to resort to II.
ITO defrny the expenses OF II nlirnt.
plant and Of shipping bonrd and
many other needless projects by the
| issuing OF Panamn bonds will be In
the last analysis equivalent to paying
for 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 Repub.
lican party.
"OnIy about S13O.OOO.OOO OF bonds
were put out In the construction OF the
Panama Canal. The balance Of III,
cost OF that stupendous undertnsing
WAS paid out of current revenues
m nd ha naval Ints.
trine that these bonds which repre-
sent the thrift of preceding years
shall be issued for these questionable
projects Is. to my mind. preposterons.
In fact, Il was expressly provided IL.
the Spooner Act that Panama Canal
| bonds should not be issued for any
| other purpose than that Of the con
| struction Of the Canal. and the in
genious theory that they can he IL.
sued now to repay the treasury and
| that then the money can be sguaD.
dered by the party In power 10 finnnce
doubtful projects and to make good II
deficit will not alter the fact thai
such deficit exists.
mo amount Of reasoning on the
| part OF the Chairman Of the Commit
| tee on Finance viii alter the fact
that outside Of preparedness there has
been Mt least S2OO.0OO.0O0 Of wastefu
| appropriations and expenditures b.,
the present Congress. That condition
of the treasury will absolutely neces
| state the Withholding of contracts
for battleships and delay the whole
| scheme Of preparedness.
"The figures of the Secretary %
| the Treasury may be lusgled as the.
may. but when the Secretary IL NJ
ugninst the brute fact of not hnvlni
money to pay for these projects h
will then find that figures VIII no
| ,nnka "a aufIiIua In the Irni isurY."