The union Democrat., 1870-01-29
Extravaganza of the Admin istraiion.

Mr.. Dawes from Massachusetts, promi-
nent radical member of Congress and Chair
man of the Committee on Appropriations, took
occasion last week to ventilate the prohigate and
extravagant appropriations asked for by the
departments. He has since been censured in
speeches made by several Senators and MEM
bers of the House for telling so much truth in
urging economy and a reduction of taxation.
The telegraph despatch says:
WASHINGTON. January lS.-The House
took UP the bill fo- the transfer CT League Is
land Navy Yard.
Mr. Dawes (radcall opposed it, because
under it the Secretary of ihe Navy could sell
three millions Of property a. private sale to
whom he pleased and upon what terms he
pleased. The Treasury has not funds to un-
dertake the enlargement of navy yards in
time of peace. Mr. Dawes criticised the esti,
mates of the Navy Department for the pres
ent year, and said they Cid not inspire him
with much confidence, although the Secreta-
r. promised a saving of some s., 000, coo on
the article of coal alone, which only cost $780,
600 the last two year. That was an achieve
ment in mathematics which found parallel
only in the achievement of the Postmaster
General who proposed to save s., 900 900
yearly by abolishing the franking privilege,
while the frauked matter would not produce
5000, COO. The estimates for the next fiscal
year contained appropriations for public pur-
poses of nearly S25 900 600. against an ap-
preparation fer the same objects last year of
81. 500. 900 under Andrew Johnson's admin
istration which had been arraigned on charge
of proiligacy in expenditures, found guilty
and depoSed. Andrew johnson, in the lest
year of his administration. estimated that he
could carry on the Government for S303 900, :
600; that amount waScut down over $50 .000, :
600. The present administration demands
SSH ZOO, 600. an increase of over S2S 600. 900
beyond the amount required hv Andrew John
son, an increase of almost $50. 900. 900 over
the amount appropriated for the present year
not counting in this estimate the little su-
gar-plum of $500 900 for League Island. be-
side millions which the Senate would add 10
appropriations for bills in this house alone.
The pledges of the Republican party must
be redeemed. They could have no aid either
from the other end of the avenue or the other
end otthe Capitol. lie the speakerl has a right
to complain ofthe other end of the avenue. that
with all its professions of economy. with all
Its heraldinG by telegraph and otherwise, Of
q reduction, there was but one of those depart-
ments that did not estimate increased expen-
ditureS over the appropriation of last wear.
That exception was the poor, unpopular At
torney General. He hoped it was not be-
cause of that remarkable trait Of his charac-
ter that it was contemplated at the other end
of the Capitol to relieve him from further
public service. Mr.. Dawes proceeded to urge
economy and reduction of the burdens of
taxation. He called on the House to stand
by him in redeeming the pledge which the
party gave to the country 10 cut down these
estimates below the figure st which the coun-
try took the power from Andrew Johnson
They must foreso private interests and imac-
mary political gains in localities by expendi-
ture of money. As a test question, he moved
to lay the bill on the table, and demanded
the yeas and nays. so that the people might
know who would stand ny the Committee on
Appropriations in the attempt to curtail the
expenses Of the Government.
Very marked attention was paid on both
sides Of the House to the speech of the Chair
msb of the COMMITTEES on Appropriations.