The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-01-26


WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
HOUSE.
The House took up the bill for the trans
| fer of Philadelphia Navy Yard to League
under it the Secretary of the Navy could
sell $3,000O0O of property at private sale
of the Philadelphia navy yard, to whom
he pleased, when he pleased, and on what
terms he pleased, the only obligation on
him being that he should obtain the appro-
val of the President, who, from the nature
of his duties, could pay no attention to
the proceedings; because the Treasury
was not in funds abundant enough to un-
dertalke the work, and because, it being a
time of peace, the enlargement of navy
yards was impolitic.
Mr. DAWES criticised the estimates
furnished by the Navy Department, which
propose, besides $SOO,0O0 for League Island
total expenditure of So, ,607, ,394, against
$l57, 900 last year. These estimates did
not inspire him with much confidence
although the Secretary promised to effect
saving of 100000 in the article of
coal alone, which had only cost $l5OOOO
for the last two years. That was an
achievement in mathematics which found
parallel only in the achievements of the
Postmaster General, who proposed to save
SIS, 100000 year by the abolition of the
franking privilege, while the franked
matter would not produce 100000.
The book ofestimates for the new fiscal
year contained appropriations for public
works Of twenty-forty millions six hundred
and twenty-five thousand one hundred and
seventy-two against appropriations for the
same objects last year of $5,493,O0O. The
administration of Andrew johnson had
been accused ofprofigacy in expenditures.
The people had triedit on that charge found
it guilty, and taken from it the seeptre of
power and put it in the hands of the Re
publican party on its professions of econo-
my IN the administration of the public
services, The people intended to hold
them to their promises, but what was the
first evidence they put forth to the coun
try of their determination to carry out
the pledges? While he knew the ungra-
clous position he occupied, he proposed
to speak plainly but truly to his party
friends in the House. He knew there was
not much comfort to be derived from the
wounding of friend. Andrew johnson,
IN the last year of his administration, had
estimated that he could carry the govern
ment for $303, 100000 and that amount
had been cut down over $20000,O 900.
What did their own administration esti-
mate 1t would cost to carry on the gov
ernment for the year? For $3l1, ,097, ,174,
an increase of over $28,000000 beyond
the amount required by Andrew johnson.
and an increase of $l9,62S, ,537 over the
amount appropriated for the present year,
but this included an error of over $1,000
OOO IN the footing up of the Postofice
Department, which would reduce the in
crease to $42,00O,0OO. But he believed,
not entering into an estimate, there was a
little sugar plum of $8O0O00 for League
Island, and back of it also were the millions
that would be added by the Senate to theap'
preparation bill as they passed the House.
In this House alone the pledges of the
Republican party were to be redeemed
they could have no aid either at the
other end of the capitol, and he put it
to the representatives of the people
whether they would inaugurate new pub
lie works on the broad estimate of $42,-
100000. He had right to complain of
the other end of the avenue, that with all
Its professions of economy, and with all
the heralding by telegraph and otherwise
of the reduction, there was but one of
those departments that did not estimate
an increase of expenditures over the ap-
preparations of last year, The exception
was thepoor, unpopular Attorney General
and he hoped it was not because of that
remarkable trait IN his character that it
was contemplated at the other end of the
capitol to relieve him from further public
service and drive him into private life.
There was new postoffice at New York,
which the architect said would cost 81
hn nj fo,-
timated to cost 81 100000. Were they
going on with such expenditures Were
they going to put $3,000,OO0 from the old
Philadelphia navy yard and $800000
from the treasury into League Island,
when they might as well wait five years
Two things seem to be desired by the adj
ministration, "a reduction of ofthepubhc debt
and relief from the burdens of taxation
By this House neither of these things
could be accomplished, without the other
thing which both overlooked a reduction
of expenditures. How was it proposed at
the other end of the avenue to pay the
public debt, unless the expenditures were
redueed2 How did the House propose to
relieve the people and enterprise and cap
ital Of the country from the burdens of
taxation under which they were groaning,
unless the expenditures were reduced ?
He called upon members of the House to
stand by the Committee of Appropriations
IN the pledge which it now gave to the
country that it would cut down those esti-
mates below the figures atwhich hecoun-
try took power from Andrew Johnson. In
order to do that they must forego any
private interests and private and imaginary
political gain in localities, by the expendi-
ture of money. They must rise above those
considerations, and look to general results,
and then the fingers of industry would
again ply their work, enterprise e
would again take courage, the country
would go on in prosperity and in de-
velopement, and the nation would in. years
that were to come build navy yards at
League Island and at New London, and
amplfy those at Boston and Portsmouth
and all over the country If that should
be the policy, there would be a reduction
of expenditures, so that thereby the peo-
pie might be relieved from the burdens of
taxation at one end of the avenue, and the
public debt might be paid at the other. 1t
was with this view, and because he behev'
ed it to be test question, he would move
to lay the bill on the table, and would on
| that motion call the yeas and nays, so the
people might know who woulu stand by
the Committee on Appropriations in its at
tempt to curtail the expenditures Of the
|