The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-01-27
Radical Economy.

The following is the Geographic report |
of the speech of Mr. Dawes, Chairman of
the Committee of Appropriations, in the
national House of Representatives, on the
18th. The bill under discussion was the
one providing for the transfer of the Phil
adelphia Navy Yard to League Island:
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts, opposed |
the bill, because under il the Secretary OF |
the Navy could sell $3,000,0U0 of property |
at private sale, of the Philadelphia navy |
yard, to whom he pleased, when he pleased
and at what terms he pleased, the only |
obligation on him being that he should
obtain the approval of the President, who,
from the nature of his duties, could paw
no attention to the proceedings; because
the Treasury was not in funds abundant |
enough TO undertake the work; and be-
cause this being a time of peace no en-
largement of the navy yard is needed. |
Mr. Dawes criticised the estimates furnish |
cd by the Navy Department, which pro
pose, besides eight hundred thousand for |
League Island, a total expenditure OF
$500, 1914, against SOL 900 last year. The |
estimates did not inspire him with much |
confidence, though the Secretary promised |
to effect saving OF two millions In the |
article of coal alone, which had only cost |
$4,000 for the last two years. That |
found parallel only in the achievements |
of the Postmaster General who proposes
to save five millions per year by the abo-
lition of the ranking privilege, while
ranked matter would not produce
two hundred thousand. The book of
estimates for the next fiscal year
contained appropriations for public
works of $24,625, l73, against appropria-
tons for the same objects last year of So
$1,000 The administration of Andrew
johnson had been accused of proligacy
in expenditure people had tried it on
that charge, found it guilty, end taken
from it the sccptre of power, and put 1t In
the hands of the Republican nsrty, on its
professions of economy in administration
of public service The people intended
To hold them to their promises. But what
was the first evidence they put forth TO
the country of their determination TO
carry out their pledges? While he knew
the ungracious position he occupied, he
proposed to speak plainly and truly TO his
party friends in the House. He knew
there was not much comfort to be de-
rived from the wound of a friend. An
drew johnson, in the lust year of his adj
ministratiOn, had estimated that nc could
carry on the government for
$500, 100000, and that amount had been
cut down over $20,000,G00. What did
their own administration estimate that it
could carry on the government one year
fOrg 1911, 091, a. an increase OF over
SIS, 100000 beyond the amount required
by Andrew Johnson, and an increase of
$40. 62s, 537 over amount appropriated for
the present year. Not entering into the
estimate, WAS a little sugar plum of eight
hundred thousand for League Island
aud back of il also were the mil
lions that would be added by
the Senate to appropriation bills as they
passed the House In this House alone
pledges of the Republican party were to
he redeemed. They could have no aid
either at the other end Of the avenue
or the other end of the Capital and he
put il to the representatives of the people
whether they would inaugurate new pub
lie works on the broad estimate of Mr..
Wilson. lie hal a right 10 complain Of the
other end If the arenuc, that with all its
professions of economy, and with all the
heralding by telegraph and otherwise OF
reduction, there was bit OHe IF those depe ~
ments, that did not estimate an Increase If
expenditures 0cer the appropriations of last
year. The exception was the poor, I'M
popular AttOrneY-General; and he hoped
II was not because of that remarkable trait
IN his character that it was contemplated
at the other end of the Capital to relieve
him from further public service and drive
him into private lite. There was new
post-officc at New York which the archi-
tect said would cost s 10, 600, 900 and granite
for which was estimated to cost 81, 000, Goo.
Were they going on with such cxpendi-
lures? Were they going To put So O0O-
900 from the old Philadelphia Navy Yard
and SS,0e0,OO0 from the Treasury into
League Island, when they might as well
wait years.
Two things seemed to be desired; Re-
ductiOn of the public debt by the admins
tratiOn, 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 re-
duction OF expenditures How was il
proposed aG the other end of the avenue
to pay the public debt unless expenditures
were reduced: How did the House pro-
pose to relieve the people and enterprise
and capital of the country from the bur
dens of taxation under which they were
groaning unless the expenditures were re-
duced? He called upon the members OF
the House to stand by the Committee OF
Appropriations in the pledge which il
now gave to the country that it would cut
down these estimates below the figures al
which the country took away the power
OF Andrew johnson. In order to do that
they must fOrego any private interests
and private and imaginary political gain
IN localities by expenditure of money
They must rise above those consider
tIons and look to general results
And then the fingers Of industry would
again ply their work, enterprise would
gain courage, the country would go on in
prosperity and in development, and the
nation would in years that were to come
build navy yards at League Island
and at New London, and amplify those
nj Boston and. Portsmouth, aud all over
the country. Ii that should be the policy
there would be reduction Of expendi-
lures SO that thereby people might be
relieved from 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 ne believed it to be
the test question he would move to lay tho
bill on the table, and would on that mo
ton call the yeas and nays, so that tho
people could know who would stand by
the Committee ON Appropriations in it,
attempt. to curtail the expenditures of the
government.
Government Expenses.
The readers Of tho 70