The Daily Ardmoreite. (Ardmore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 11, No. 275, Ed. 1, Monday, September 26, 1904 Page: 4 of 10
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rBGE PHI'S
iei if mm
Kept. 20 1004.
To the Hon. Chomp C'lHrk nnd Others
Committee Etc.:
Ocntlemeu In my response to your
committee at the formnl notification
proceedings I refem-d to some mnttcn
not mentioned In this letter. 1 desire
that thec he considered as Incorporat-
ed herein nnd regret that lack of spaco
prevents specific reference to them
nil. I wish here however again to refer
to my views there exprccl ns to the
gold standard to declare again my un-
qualified belief In Hold standard nnd to
ciproM my appreciation of the action
of the convention In reply to my com-
munication nKn Miat MibJert.
(5niv public questions are pressing
for decision. The Democratic party
appeals to the people with confidence
that lta position on them? questions will
lc accepted and Indorsed at the polls.
While the lftmie Involved an? numer-
ous some it and forth pre-eminent in
the public mlml. Among the nro
tariff reform. Imperialism economk'fll
administration nml honesty In the pub-
lic servlca 1 shall briefly consider
these and some other within the nec-
essarily prescribed limits of this letter
Imperialism.
While I presented my views nt the
notification proceedings concerning this
Tltnl Issue the overshadowing Impor-
tance of this question Impels :nc to re-
fer to It again. The lsytie Is often-
times referred to as constitutionalism
.versus Imperialism.
If wc would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired wo
canuot permit or tolerate nt any time
or for any purpose the nrrogaUon of
unconstitutional powers by the execu-
tive branch of our government. We
should be ever mindful of the words
of Webster "Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and n Just division of polit-
ical powers."
Already the national government has
become centrallred beyond any point
contemplated or Imagined by 'the
founders of the constitution. How tre-
mendously all this lias added to the
power of the president! It has devel-
oped from year to year until It almost
equals that of mnny monarchs. While
the growth of our country and the mag-
nitude of Interstate Interests may seem
to furnish a plausible reason for this
centralization of power yet these same
Xacts afford the most potent reason
Why the executive should not be per-
mitted to encroach upon the other de-
partments of the government and as-
ramo legislative or other powers not
expressly conferred by the constitu-
tion. The magnitude of the country nnd
1U diversity of interests nnd popula-
tion would enable n determined ambi-
tious and nble executive unmindful of
constitutional limitations nnd 11 nil
with the lust of power to go far in
the usurpation of authority nnd the
aggrandizement of personal power be-
fore the sltuntlon could be fully npprc
elated or the people be aroused.
The Issue of Imperialism which has
been thrust upon the country involves
a decision whether the law of the land
or the rule of Individual caprice shall
govern. The principle of imperialism
inny give rtso to brilliant startling
darning results but the principle of
democracy holds In check the brilliant
executive nnd subjects htm to the so-
ber conservative control of the people.
The people of the I'nlted States
ftnnd at the parting of the ways.
Shall we follow the footsteps of our
fathers along the paths uf peace pros-
perity and contentment guided by the
ever living spirit of the constitution
which they framed for us. or shall we
go along other nnd untried paths hith-
erto shunned by all following blindly
new Ideals which though appealing
with brilliancy to the Imagination uud
ambition may prove a will-o'-the-wisp
leading us Into dltllcultles from which
It moy bo Impossible to extricate our
selves without lasting Injury to our
national character and Institutions?
The Tariff and Truiti.
Tariff reform is one of the cardinal
principles of the Democratic faith and
the necessity for It wns never greater
than nt the present time. It should be
undertaken nt once In the Interest of
nil our people.
Tho Dlngloy tariff Is executive In
ninny of Us rates uud as to them at
least unjustly and oppressively bur-
dens the people. It secures to domes-
tic manufacturers singly or iu combi-
nation the privilege of exacting ex-
cessive prices nt home nnd prices fur
above the level of sales made regular-
ly by them abroad with profit thus
giving a bounty to foreigners nt the
expenso of our own people. It levies
oppressive and unjust ta.xos upon
many articles forming In whole or purt
the so called raw material of many
of our manufactured products not on-
ly burdening the consumer but also
closing to the manufacturer the mur-
licts he needs and seeks abroad. Its
unjust taxation burdens the people
generally forcing them to pay excess-
ive prices for food fuel 'clothing ami
Other necessaries of life. It levies du-
ties on many articles not normally Im-
ported In any considerable amount
.which nre made extensively at home
for which the most extreme protec-
tionist would hardly Justify protective
taxes and which In large amounts are
exported. Such duties have been and
wlll continue to be n direct iuceutlve
to the formation of huge Industrial
combinations which secure from for-
hru competition are enabled to stille
domestic competition and practically
ri monopolize the home market.
It contains mnuy duties Imposed for
(tie r-.rproas purtMxe only as was open-
ly avowed nf furnishing a bants for
reduction by mentis of reciprocal trade
treaties which the Republican admin-
Istntlxn. Impliedly at least promised
to negotiate Having on this promise
secured the increased duties tho Re-
publican party lenders spurred on by
protected Interests defeated the
treaties negotiated by the executive
nnd now these same Interests cling to
the benefit of these duties which the
people never Intended they should hnve
nnd to which they have no morol right
Rven now the nrgumcut most fre-
quently urged In behalf of the Dlngloy
Vnrlff nnd ugulnst tnrllT reform general
ly Is the necessity of caring for our In
fant Industries. Mnny of these indus-
tries after n hundred years of lusty
growth nre looming up ns lndustrlnl
giants. In their case at least the Dins-
ley tnrlfT Invites combination nnd mo-
nopoly nnd gives Justification to the
expression that the tariff Is the moth
er of trusts.
For the above mentioned reasons.
among mnny others the people de
mand reform of those abuses and such
reform demand ami should recolro im-
mediate attention.
The two lending parties) have always
differed as to the principle of customs
taxation. Our party has always ad-
vanced the theory that the object Is
the raising of revenue for support of
the government whatever other results
may Incidentally How therefrom. The
Republican party on the other hand
contends that customs duties should
be levied primarily for protection so
called with revenue ns the subordinate
purpose thus using the power of tax-
ation to build up the business and prop-
erty of tho few nt the expense of the
many.
This difference of principle still sub
sists but our party appreciates that the
long continued policy of the country
ns manifested In Its statutes makes it
necessary that tariff reform should bu
prudently nnd sagaciously undertaken
on scientific principles to the cud that
there should not be an Immediate rev
olution In existing conditions.
In the words of our platform we de-
mand "a revision ami n gradual re-
duction of the tariff by the friends of
the mnsses nnd for the common weal
and not by the friends of Its abuses
its extortions and discriminations."
It is true that the Republicans who
do not admit In their platform that the
Dlngley tnrlff needs the slightest al-
teration nre likely to retain a major-
ity of the federal senate throughout the
next presidential term nnd could there-
fore if they choe block every at-
tempt at legislative relief. Iiut It
should be remembered that the Re-
publican party Includes many revision-
ists nnd I believe It will shrink from
defying the popular will expressed un-
mistakably and ' peremptorily nt the
ballot box.
The people demnnd reform of exist-
ing conditions. Since the Inst Demo-
cratic administration the cost of living
has grievously Increased. Those hav-
ing fixed Incomes have suffered keenly;
those living on wages If there has
been any Increase know that such In-
crease has not kept pace with the ml-
vunce In the cost of living. Including
rent and the necessaries of life. Mnny
today are out of work unable to se-
cure any wages at all. To allevlnte
these conditions In so far ns Is In our
power should be our earnest endeavor.
Trust Remedies.
I pointed out In my earlier rospouse
the remedy which In my Judgment
cnu effectually be applied against
monopolies and the assurance was
then given that If existing laws In-
cluding both statute and common law
proved inadequnto contrary to my ex-
pectations I favor such further legis-
lation within constitutional limitations
as will best promote and safeguard the
Interests of nil the people.
Whether there Is nny common law
which can be applied nnd enforced by
the federal courts cannot be determin
ed by the president or by a cnudldato
for the presidency.
The determination of this question
was left by the people In framing the
constitution to the Judiciary nnd not
to the executive. The supreme court
of the I'nlted States has recently con-
sidered this question and In the case
of the Western I'nlun Telegraph com-
puny versus the Call Publishing com-
pany to be found In the one hundred
nnd eighty-first volume of the I'nlted
States supreme court reports at page
(i'J. It decided that common law prin-
ciples could be applied by I'nlted
States courts In cases Involving Inter-
state commerce in the absence of Unit
ed States statutes speclllcully cover-
ing the enso. Such Is tho law of the
land.
Rtciprocity.
In my address to the notification
committee 1 said that tariff reform "Is
demanded bj the best interests of
both manufacturer and consumer.
With equal truth It can be said that
the benefits of reciprocal trade tre-.i
ties would enure to both. That the
consumer would be helped Is unquos
tlonnble. That the manufacturer would
receive great benefit by extending his
markets abroad hardly needs demon
titration. Ills productive capacity has
outgrown the home market. The very
term "home market" has changed In
Its significance. Once from the maim
facturers' point of view. It meant ex
panslon; today the marvelous growth
of our manufacturing Industries has
far exceeded the consumptive capacity
of our domestic markets and the term
"home market" Implies contraction
rather than expansion. If we would
run our mills tn their full capacity
thus giving steady employment to our
workmen and securing to them nnd tc
the manufacturer the profits nccrulnc
from Increased production other mar-
kets must be found. Furthermore
when our manufacturers are depend
ent on raw materials In whole or par
imported. It Is vital to the extension
of their markets abroad that they r-
euro their materials on tho most fa
vorable term.
Our martyred president. William Mc-
Klnley nppteclntcd this situation. He
pointed out in his Inst addles to the.
people that we must make scntlblo
trade arrangements if "we shall cs-
tend the outlets for our Increasing sur
plus." He said: "A system which pro
vides a mutual exchange of commodi-
ties is manifestly essentlnl to the con-
tinued nnd henlthful growth of our ex-
port trnde. The period of oxclti-
slveness Is past. The expansion of our
trade and commerce Is the pressing
problem. Commercial wars ure unprof-
itable. A policy of good will abJ
friendly relations will prevent repris-
als. Reciprocity treaties ore in har-
mony with the spirit of the times;
measures of retaliation are not."
This argument was made In the In
terest of our munnfocturers whose
products he urged "have so multi-
plied that the problem of more markets
requires our urgent and Immediate at-
tention." He had come to realize that
the so called stand pat policy must
give way: that there must be n reduc-
tion of duties to enable our manufac
turers to cultivate foreign markets.
The last words of this president who
had won the affection of his country-
mon ought to be1 studied by every man
who has any doubt of the necessity of
a reduction In tariff rates In tho Inter-
est of the manufacturer. They present
with clearness a situation nnd n pro-
posal remedy that prompted the provi-
sion In our platform which declares
that "we fnvor liberal trade arrange-
ments with Canada and with peoples
of other countries where they can be
entered Into with benefit to American
agriculture manufactures mining or
commerce."
The persistent refusal of the Repub-
lican mnjorlty In the federal senate to
rntlfy Uie reciprocity trentles nego-
tiated In pursuance of the policy nd-
vocated alike by Mr. lilalne nnd Mr.
McKlnley and expressly sanctioned lu
the Dlngley net Itself Is n discourag-
ing exhibition of bad faith. As already
mentioned by me tho exorbitant duty
Imposed on many an Imported nrtlclc
by the Dlngley tariff was avowedly In.
tended by Its author not to be perma-
nent but to serve temporarily ns n
maximum from which the federal gov
eminent was empowered to offer n re-
duction In return for an equivalent
concession on the part of a forelgu
country. President McKlnley under-
took honestly to carry out the purpose
of the act. A number of reciprocity
ngreements were negotlnted which. If
ratified would have had Uie twofold
result of cheapening many Imported
products for American consumers nnd
of opening and enlnrglng foreign mar-
kets to American producers. Not one
of those agreements has met with the
approval of the Republican masters of
the senate. Indeed they did not even
permit their consideration. In view
of tho attitude of tho present execu-
tive no new agreement need be ex-
pected from him. Nor docs the Re-
publican platform contain a favorabto
reference to one of Uie suspended
treaties. The reciprocity clauses of
the Dlngley net seem destined to re-
main a monument of legislative cozen-
nge nnd political bnd faith unless the
people take the matter In their own
hands nt the ballot box mid commnnd
a reduction of duties lu return for
reciprocal concessions.
Independence For the Filipinos.
In some quarters It has been assum-
ed thnt In the discussion of the Philip-
pine question lu my response the
phrase "self government" was Intend-
ed to mean something less than Inde-
pendence. It was not Intended thnt It
should be understood to mean nor do
I think as used It docs mean less than
Independence. However to eliminate
nil possibility for conjecture I now
state tlmt I am lu hearty accord with
that plan!; in our platform that fuvur.s
doing for the Filipinos what we have
already done for the Cubans and I
favor making the promise to them now
that we shall take such action as soon
as they are reasonably prepared for It.
If independence such ns the Cubans
enjoy cannot be prudently granted to
the Filipinos nt tills time the promise
thnt It shall come the moment they
are capable of receiving It will tend to
stimulate rather than hinder their de-
velopment. And thlH should be dono
not only III Justice to the Filipinos but
to preserve our own rights for a free
people cannot withhold freedom from
another people and themselves remain
free. The toleration of tyranny over
others will soon breed contempt for free
dom nnd self government and weaken
our power of resistance to Insidious
usurpation of our constitutional rights.
American Citlzenchlp.
The pledge of the platform to secure
to our citizens without distinction of
race or creed whether native born or
naturalized at home and abroad the
equal protection of the laws and tho
enjoyment of all the rights and privi-
leges open to them under the coveuants
of our treaties ns their Just due should
be made good to them. In the accom-
plishment of that result It Is essential
that n passport Issued by the govern-
ment of the I'nlted States to nu Amer-
ican citizen shnll be accepted the world
over as proof of citizenship.
Civil Service
The statute relating to civil service
Is the outconitof the efforts of thought-
ful unselfish and public spirited citi-
zens. Operation under It has frequent-
ly been of such n character as to of-
fend against the spirit of the statute
but the results achieved even under a
purtlal enforcement of the .law have
been such as to both deserve and com-
mand the utterance 6f the Democratic
party tljat it stands committed to the
r.vineiple of civil service reform nnd
demands Its Just nnd impartial en-
forcement. Reclamation of Arid Lands.
A vast expanse of country In the
west portions of which are to be found
In each of the sixteen states nnd terri-
tories mentioned in the law Is direct-
iy affected by the tintlonnl statute the
outcomti of intelligent and persistent
efforts of leading -citizens providing
for the reclamation of the arid lands
for the benefit of home seekers. Dur-
ing the years of the development of the
measure which finally received the vote
of every member of the upper house
of congress It encountered opposition
based to a large extent upon the view
that the aim of Its promoters was to
secure the benefits ef Irrlgntlon to
prlvnte owners at government expense.
The aim of the statute Is however to
enable this vnst territory to reclaim
its nrld lnnds without calling upon the
tnxpnyers of the country nt Inrgc to
pay for It Whether the purposes of
the bill will be fully accomplished must
depend In large measure upon the nbll-
I ity. sobriety of Judgment Independ
ence ami uonesty or me omcers or tne
Interior department having this great
work lu charge.
In IIktJ the main cnnnls nnd ditches
in the region nffected nggregnted more
than M.000 miles ami the work of rec-
lamation is but lu Its Infancy. The to-
tal cost of construction of the neces-
sary head gates dams main cafinls
ditches reservoirs nml pumping sta-
tions wns nt thnt time n little over
SIKI.OOO.OOO. which of itself suggests
the hundreds of millions thnt may
eventually be Invested In the territory
covered by the statute. The magni-
tude of the conception nnd the enor-
mous expense Its carrying out Involves
make us realize Uie overwhelming im-
portance of a broad capable nnd honest
administration of the work authorized
by the statute If effect Is to be given
to that purt of the plan that relieves
tho country at largo from ultimate lia-
bility. Panama Canal.
An Isthmian canal has long been the
hope of our statesmen nud the avow-
ed nlm of the two grent parties us
their platforms in the past show. The
Panama route having been selected
the building of the canal should be
pressed to completion with nit reason-
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are u source of regret to many.
To them the statement that thereby a
Krent public work was assured to the
profit of our people is not n suliiclent
nnswer to the charge of violation of
national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles aud healthy convic-
tions which In their working out have
made us free and great stand llrmly
against the argument or suggestion
that we shall be blind to the nature
of the means employed to promote our
welfare. They hold that udherence to
principle whether It works for our
good or 111 will have n more benefi-
cent Influence on our future destiny
than till our material upbuilding nud
that we should ever remember that
the Idea uf doing a wrong to n small-
er weaker nation that we or even nil
mankind may hnve n resultant good
Is repugnnt to the principles upon
which our government was founded.
Under the laws of the United States
the duty Is Imposed on the executive
to proceed with duo dlllgeuce lu the
work of constructing the canal. Thnt
duty should be promptly performed.
American Shipping.
Our commerce lu American bottom.s
amounts to but 8 per cent of our total
exports and Imports. For seventy
years prior to 1SC0 when the Repub-
lican party came into power our mer-
chant innrlne carried an average of
7." per cent of our foreign commerce.
Hy 1ST" it had dwindled to 1!" per cent.
Now we carry but a coutemptlbly
small fraction of our exports and Im-
ports. American shipping In the foreign
trade was greater by over 100.000 tons
In 1S10 nearly 100 years ago. than It
wns last year. In the face of the con-
tinuous decline In the record of Amer-
ican shipping during the last forty-
three years the promise of the Repub-
lican party to restore It Is without en-
couragement. The record of the Dem-
ocratic party gives assurance that the
task can bo more wisely Intrusted to
It.
It Is an arduous task to undo the ef-
fect of forty years of decadence nnd
requires the study nnd Investigation
of those best fitted by experience to
find the remedy which surely docs not
lie In the granting of subsidies wrung
from the pockets of nil the tnxpnyers.
Investigation of Government Depart-
ments. Recent disclosures coupled with tho
rapid augmentation of government ex-
penditures show n need of nu investi-
gation of every department of the gov-
ernment. The Democrats in congress
demanded it. The Republican majori-
ty refused the demand. Tho peoplo
can determine by their vote in No-
vember whether they wish an honest
and thorough Investigation. A Demo-
cratic congress nnd executive will as-
sure It.
Army and Navy.
We are Justly proud of the officers
nnd men of our army and navy. Both
however have suffered from the per-
sistent Injection in personal and polit-
ical Influence. Promotions and appoint-
ments have been frequently based on
favoritism instead of merit Trials
nnd court martinis hnve been set aside
under circumstances Indicating polit-
ical Interference. These and other
abuses should be corrected.
Pensions For Our Soldiers and Sailors.
Tho national Democracy favors lib-
eral penslous to tho surviving soldiers
and sailors and their dependents on
tho ground that they deserve liberal
treatment. It pledges by Its plntform
adequate legislation to that end. Rut
It denies the right of the executive' to
usurp tho power of congress to legis-
late on thnt subject. Such usurpation
wns attempted by pension order No.
7S. nnd effect has been given to It by
' u congress that dared not resent tho
usurpation. It is Bald thnt "tills order
wns tunde In the performance of n
duty Imposed upon the president by
net of congress" but Uie provision
making the Imposition Is not pointed
out. The act to which the order re-
fers which Is the one relating to pen-
sions to civil war veterans does not
authorize pensions on the ground of
age. It does grant pensions tb those
"suffering from any mental or physical
disability or disabilities of n perma-
nent character not the result of their
own vicious habits which so incapaci-
tates them from the performance of
maiui.il labor as to render them una-
ble to earn n support." This specified
requirement of incapacity Is In effect
set aside by order No. "8 ns to nil per-
sons over Blxty-two.
The wnr closed nearly forty years
ngo. In tho meantime mnny of our
soldiers nud sailors long survived the
nge of sixty-two nnd pnssed nway
without receiving any pension. Skill-
ful pension attorneys hunting through
the statute failed to find there n pro-
vision giving n pension to nil who had
reached sixty-two. Many prominent
veterans urged the Justice of congres-
sional action giving n service pension
to nil veterans. Rills to Uint effect
were Introduced In congress. And not
until March bf this year did nny one
ever clnlni to hnve innde the discovery
Unit the president hnd )owcr to treat
the statute as If It read that when a
claimant had passed Uie nge of sixty-
two yenrs he Is neccssnrlly disabled
one-half In ability to perform manual
labor and therefore entitled to n pea
slon.
The present pension commissioner In
dlcated his view of the order when in
n recent address he thanked the presi-
dent for whnt he had done and ndvlsed
his hearers to use their Influence that
n law might be pnssed to the same ef
feet. Full confidence nfter nil seems
not to hnve been placed on the defense
of Justification for it Is pleaded In
mitigation that a former Democratic
president did something looking in that
direction. Even If that were so which
Is not admitted our present duty
would be none the less plain and Im-
perative. Our people must never tol-
erate the citation of one net of usurpa-
tion of power as nn excuse for anoth-
er. The first may possibly be due to
mistake; the second being based on
tho first cannot be. In explanation
however It should be said that the or-
der relied on simply provided that the
nge of seventy-five years should be re-
garded as evidence of inability to per-
form manual labor. Few men nre nble
to perform manual labor at that age
but nearly all men are at sixty-two
The first order is based on n fact that
experience tenches; tho other Is based
on tho assertion of that which Is uot
true ns n general rule.
The old Inquiry "Whnt ure you go-
ing to do nbout It?" isnow stated In n
now form. It Is said by the adminis-
tration lu reply to the public criticism
of this order that "It is easy to test
our opponents' sincerity lu this mat-
ter. The order In question Is revocable
at the pleasure of the executive. If
our opponents come Into power they
cnii revoke this order and announce
that they will treat the veterans of
sixty-two and seventy as presumably
In full bodily vigor and not entitled to
pension. Will they nuthoritutlvely
state thnt they Intend to do this? If
bo we accept the Issue."
This suggests the suspicion at least
that the order was made to create nn
Issue; that It wns supposed to present
n strong strategic position In the bat-
tle of the ballots. Rut as the making
of that order was. In my Judgment nu
attempted though perhnps unwlttlngon-
croachment upon the legislative power
and therefore unwarranted by the con-
stitution the challenge Is nccepted. If
elected I will revoke that order. Rut
I go further und sny that that being
done I will contribute my effort toward
the enactment of n law to bo passed by
both houses of congress nnd approved
by the executive that will give nu ago
pension without reference to disability
to the surviving heroes of the civil
war and under the provisions of which
n pension may be accepted with digni-
ty because of the consciousness that It
comes ns n Just due from the people
through their chosen representatives
nnd not as largess distributed by the
chief executive.
Foreign Relations.
The foreign relations of the govern-
ment have in lato years assumed
special Importance. Prior to the ac-
quisition of the Philippines we were
practically Invulnerable ngulnst at-
tucks by foreign states. Those tropical
possessions however. 7000 miles from
our shores have changed all this aud
have lu effect put us under bonds to
keep the peace. The new conditions
call for a management of forelgu af-
fairs the more circumspect In that the
it-cent American Invasion of foreign
markets In all parts of the world has
excited the serious apprehension of
nil the great Industrial peoples. It Is
essential therefore more than ever
to adhere strictly to the trndltloual
policy of the couutry ns formulated by
Its first president nnd never in my
Judgment wisely departed from to In-
vite friendly relations with all nations
while avoiding entangling alliances
I with nny Such a. policy means the cul-
J tlvatlon of peace Instead of the glortflca-
I tlon of war nnd the minding of our own
j business in lieu of spectnculur Informed-
! dllng with the affairs of other nations.
It means strict observance of the prln-
1 clples of International law and ccnJemns
the doctrine that a great et.ite. by rea-
son of Its strength may rlghtfilly ap-
propriate the sovereignty or territory of
a small statu on account of Its weakness.
It means for other American states that
we claim no rights and will assume no
functions save those of a friend nnd of
an ally and defender as against European
aggressions It means that we repudiate
the role of the American continental po-
liceman that wt refun to act as debt'
collector for foreign states or their citi-
zens that we respect tho independent
sovereignty of each American state and
IU light to preserve order and otherwise
regulate Its own Internal affairs In Its
own way and that any Intervention In Ita
affairs by u Is limited to the single of
flee of enabling its people to work out
their own political ar.d national destiny
fcrr themselves free from the coercion of
any European slate
Reform In Governmental Expenditures.
Twenty-eight yenrs have passed slnco
the Democratic party of the state of New-
York In convention assembled recom-
mended to the national Dcmocrncy the
nomination of Samuel J. Tlldcn as lt
candidate for the presidency and declared
it to be "their settled conviction that a
return to the constitutional principles
frugal expenses und administrative purity
of the founders of the republic is the first
and most Imperious duty of tho times
the commanding issue now before the
people of the Union." This strong ex-
prtstlon was called forth by the national
expenditures for tho year 1515 which
amounted to !271Ooo009- situation which.
In the opinion of a majority of our peo-
ple. Justified an Imperative demand for
reform In the administration of public
affairs. As the expenditures of the last
fiscal year amounted to the enormous
total of M2.0O0.Ci00. It Is evident that a
thorough Investigation of the public serv-
ice and the Immediate abandonment of
useless nnd extravagant expenditures nro
more necessary now than they were then.
This astounding Increase Is out of nil
proportion to tho Increase of our topula-
tlon and finds no excuse from whatever
aspect we view the sltuntlon. The na-
tional Democratic plntform declares that
"large reductions can easily be made In
the annual expenditures of the govern-
ment without Impairing the efficiency of
nny branch of the public service.'' Can
there be any doubt of the accuracy of
this statement? Hctween tho expendi-
tures of the ear amounting to lill.-
(yo.OW and tlme of the Init fiscal year
the seventh after Clrover Cleveland ceas-
ed to tc president aggregating tS2000.000
there Is a difference su great as to excite
alarm In the breasts of all thoughtful
men. Even excluding the sum of tM.OOO-
000 paid for the Panama canal rights und
to the state of Panama the expenditures
of the last fiscal year exceeded the Bum
of JJ32(r.ov) being more than double tho
expenditures of tho government for all
purposes during the first year of Mr.
Cleveland's administration.
The expenses of the first four years suc-
ceeding the last Democratic administra-
tion amounted to the enormous average
of toll.MO.OOO per year. This large ex-
penditure was due to a considerable ex-
tent to the cost of the Spanish-American
war which occurred daring that period
llut the termination of that war brought
no relief to the treasury for the average
annual expenses of tho government dur-
ing tho thicc subsequent years ending
June 30 l&Ot were about 1519000090 which
is the largest sum hitherto reached dur-
ing a like period since tho close of tho
civil war.
This draft upon the revenues of the
country has had 'the effect which might
have been anticipated and now we have-
presented the reverse of the situation
which led to the famous observation "It
Is h condition and not a theory which
confronts us." for although the present
incumbent found at the close of the first
fiscal year during which he assumed con-
trol of the administration a surplus of re-
ceipts over expenditures of more than
$31 OW.OfO. there was an excess of ex-
penditures over receipts at the close of
the last fiscal year of 112000000 and tho
official monthly reports made by tho
treasury department show that tho ex-
penditures are continuously and rapidly
Increasing while tho receipts nre dimin-
ishing. In this connection it is interesting to
note the recent administrative orders for-
bidding government ofllcers from making
public any statement of estimates on
which future appropriations are to bo
based.
If a man of ordinary Intelligence and
prudence should find In tho operating ex-
penses of his business such a tremendous
percentage of Increase would ho not
promptly set on foot nn Inquiry for the
cause of tho waste nnd tnko Immediate
measures to Btop It especially when
trusted employees have been found dis-
honest nnd convicted and a widespread
Impression exists that a thorough investi-
gation may discover other cases of mal-
feasance? When the chief executive re-
ported to congress that '"through frauds
ONWetes and perjuries and by shameless
briberies the laws relating to the proper
conduct of the public service in general
and to the due administration of the post-
ofllce department hnve been notoriously
violated " there was n general popu-
lar demand for u rigid sweeping Investi-
gation by congress In nddltlon to that un-
dertaken by the executive himself. Such
an investigation the Republican majority
In congress wodld not permit although
the minority Insisted that the Interests of
good government demnnded It And the
minority wns right. Tho liberality pa-
triotism and national i-rlde of the peoplo
should not be mr.de an excuse for waste
of the public funds. Official extravagance
is official crime.
There Is not n sentence In the Repub-
lican platform recommending a reduction
In tho expenditures of the government
not a line suggesting that tho Increase In
the cost of the war department from tU-
OOO.Oto In ISM to 11D.(XX).X) In 190t should be
l.iiulred Into nnd not a paragraph calling
f- r a thorough Investigation of thono
departments or the government In which
dlthonenty has been recently disclosed.
The people however can by their votes
if they desire It order such an Investiga-
tion and Inaugurate a policy of economy
and retrenchment It Is safe to suy that
this will not be accomplished by Indors-
ing at the polls the Republican majority
of the house of representatives which re-
fused the Investigation and made the ap-
propriations nor by continuing In power
tho administration which made the dis-
bursements Reform In expenditures must be had In
both the civil military nnd naval estab-
lishments In order that the national ex-
penditures may be brought to a basis of
peace nnd tho government maintained
without iccourse to the taxes of war.
Conclusion.
I have put aside n congenial work to
which I had expected to devote my life.
In order to assume ns best I can the re-
sponsibilities your convention put upon me.
I solicit the cordial co-operntlon and
generous assistance of every man who
believes that a chango of measures and
of men nt this time would be wise and
urge harmony of endeavor as well a
vigorous action on the part of all bo
minded.
The Issues are joined and the peoplo
must render the verdict.
Shall economy of administration be de-
mnndod or shall extravagance be encour-
aged" Shall the wrongdoer be brought to bay
by the people or must Justice wait upon
political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for equal
opportunity or for special privilege?
Shall It remain a government of law or
become ono of Individual caprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the people
or shall wo embrace beneficent despotism?
With calmness and confidence we await
the people's verdict.
If called to the office of president I
shall consider myself the chief magistrate
of all the people nnd not of nny faction
and shall ever be mindful of the fact thnt
on many questions of national policy
there are honest differences of opinion I
believe In tho patriotism good sense and
absolute sincerity of all the people I
shall strlvo to remember that he may
servo his party best who serves his courv-
try bst.-
If It be the wish of the people that I
undertake the duties of the presidency I
pledge myself with Ood'a help to devote
all my powers nnd energy to the duties of
this exalted office. Very truly yours
ALTON D PAUKER.
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The Daily Ardmoreite. (Ardmore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 11, No. 275, Ed. 1, Monday, September 26, 1904, newspaper, September 26, 1904; Ardmore, I. T.. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc79634/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.