Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-04-05
Civil Appropriation Bill.

When this Bill was under consideration in The
House of Representatives, making large appro-
priation for the Coast Survey dc, Mr.. WASH
BURN fought manfully against its passage We
copy the following from the Globe of the 18th.
Mr.. PHELPS. of Missouri. do not propose to
occupy any time in the discussion of this bill
have risen merely for the purpose of submit
ting the motion that the first reading of the bill
be dispensid with.
The motion was agreed to.
The Clerk then proceeded to read the bill by
clauses for amendment.
Mr.. NAsHBURN, of Wisconsin. l move 10
strlk ke out from the seventh TO the eleventh lines
Inclusive as follows:
For continuing the survey OF the Atlantic and Gulf
coast OF the United States, (ncludng compensation to
oluments of off GERS of the Army and Navv and neIv
S2jo,Oo0. ~ INC "'iA''
Mr.. Chairman, | regret that the House should
determine 10 close the debate On this bill with
out alleN ing II to be discussed at all Here
sir, Is a bill which involves approximation of
many millions OF dollars, which YOU have re-
fused to have discussed, except in a meager and
unsatisfactory way IN which it can be done in a
hVe minutes speech. We have heard much
lately about g retrenchment and reform" and
the country expected that Congress would not
adjourn without taking some step in that eIirec-
tlon. a short time ago the distinguished gem
nemen from Georgia Mr.. SrErHENs I proclaim
ed IN the House, In the discussion of the consul
lar BILL that expenditures could readily he
reduced to $i0000,0O0 per annum. This senti-
ment was published approvingly far and wide
IN the country, and 1t was hoped that that gen.
tleman would have pointed out some place
wherein the expenses could be reduced but
sir instead of doing so he Indicated his opinion
that, upon that particular bill we should be
more liberal IN our appropriations Now, SIR, |
was deslrous of obtaining the floor that | might
!. 4 1.
one item of this bill nearly half million dol
lars, without detumeut to the public service -
y Notwithstanding all that has been said about
retrenchment and reform ; Notwithstanding that
the public Is becoming clamerous because of
your lavish and wanton expenditure of the pub
Hc money, VIII venture 10 declare that your
appropriations for this very session will not fall
a dollar below the ettravagaHt estimates that
were sent III here at the beginning of the ses-
sion.
Now. sir in good faith make this motion to
strike cut thus appropriation for the coast sur
vey. l make it because | believe that, rs now
carried on, the country Is deriving no advantage
at all commensurate with the cost. 1t may be
alleged that oppose This coast survey because
am a western man, and my constituents do
not derive any direct benefit from 1T but, sir,
L deny that | am Influenced by any such mo-
tlye. III this coast survey Is valuable TO the
country at all there Is no section of the country
more Interested IN 1t than Is the State of Is
cUnSin. The pretense under which this coast
survey Is prosecuted, that 1t benefits our COM
merce, and conduccs To the safety of those who
go down TO the in ships. If this be true it
viii readily be seen that the people of Wiscon-
SIN deeply Interested IN IL, when | tell YOU
that tNo-titths of all our inhabitants ars natives
OF the Old " Orld, and have crossed the ocean
Their friends are constantly following them from
old homes in Europe and there Is no passen-
ger ship that founders upon our coast that does
not carry desOlatiun to some hearthstOne in my
State. Who, then Is more Interested in the Sc
curIty of the lives of those who cross the ocean
than the people of my State? So, ton they are
equally interested III the security of property on
The ocean, and low rates of Insurance. And
when it shall be shown that, by reason of this
coast survey one life has been saved. the rates
of insurance diminished, then may feel induced
To alter the opinion | now have III regard to the
useless character of this work.
Sir. this coast survey has been in progress /
fifty years, with no prospect OF completion.
The act under which tins work Is progress
ing was passed in the year 1907. though the
work was not actually begun until 1892, when
100000 were appropriated to carry on the work.
From that small beginning, when the superin-
tendent and only two assistants were employed,
the work has grown to such vast proportions as
to fairly overshadow the country and venture
the declaration that there is no department of
the Government which has much power or
influence to-day as this same coast survey. In
stead of modest appropriation OF $4,000 a
year in the year 1892. beg to exhibit the fol-
lowing table, showing the annual appropriations
for the past five years;
1854 ....... $3.50. 900
IS.55 AS 600