Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1904 — TOO MUCH EXTRAVAGANCE. [ARTICLE]

TOO MUCH EXTRAVAGANCE.

Cincinnati Enquirer: The expenses of the government have been steadily growing at an enormous rate. The Congressional appropriations during the first administration of Mr. Cleveland amounted to $868,037,675. During the Harrison administration they were $1,217,331,537. In the second Cleveland administration they were built up to $1,309,478, 606. Then came the McKinley administration with $1,906,131,611. The Roosevelt administrate* has leaped lightly over the two billion mark, and produces the record of $2,449,228,545. These statistics are presented in regular progression, without regard to the party power under which the expenses were increased. From a little over three quarters of a billion to something like two billions and a half in five administrations is something for the sturdy contemplation of American citizenship. The increase is out of all proportion to the growth of the country, and many times over in excess of the actual needs. This is a rich country, and the 1 taxpayers can stand a very large public outlay. Indeed, they can afford to take pride in generosity to the public institutions. At the present rate of growth, though,the expenditure will soon be too heavy to be borne patiently, and much trouble will ensue.

But the greatest danger is not merely in the lavish use of the public funds. We have the money, and from a mere commercial standpoint can afford to be luxurious in our government affairs; but *he great increase in expenses nn-aus the enlargement of the Fed. ral establishment and undermining of the system under which the states are the source of power. The Federal Government is getting big, clumsy, bloated, haughty and overbearing. New and useless offices are frequently created, and the paternal features which have come down to ns from colonial times are enlarged every

year. The National Government has become a vast office-holding institution, and an army of officials are doing the work that ought to be done by private enterprise. In Washington, Congress is putting up fine and expensive buildings for offices for Congressmen, who, when at their letters on the kitchen] table. The Civil Service humbug keeps in a horde of employes who earn nothing and are paid lavishly. No office is ever abolished, and no opportunity is ever lost to make a new one. The immensity of the Federal establishment has become a positive menace to our perpetuity. It is an enormous institution that should be curtailed. If the perversion of the sound principles of our system is permitted to go on this way for a few years longer we cannot get back to the bedrock foundation without much tribulation and turbulence. The watchdogs of the Treasury are vigilant only against those who want to save something for the government. The Lake County News has just moved into commodious new quarters especially erected for the News’ home. We congratulate Bro. Swaim on his well deserved success in the Hammond newspaper field. May the News live long and continue to prosper.

Newspaper reports credit Jerry Simpson, a former resident of Jackson township, this county, and later a congressman from Kansas, with being at present a resident of New Mexico, and immensely rich. Jerry was known far Hiid wide as the “Sockless Statesman’ and was elected to Congress on the populist ticket. He has a number of relatives living in this county. —Hebron News.