The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-09-02


and unheard Of thing and never before
attempted in the legislation of the Gov.
eminent. Let us see how that is. lap.
pend herewith list Of changes of laws
which have been Incorporated into appro
priation bills during the years from 1865
down to and including 1S7j. The extent
to which such legislation has been carried
on will, have no doubt, surprise many
and | regret to say that during those years
OF undisputed Republican rule in both
branches OF Congress the change has al.
most always been in the direction of in.
creased appropriations and expenditure.
| will here mention few notable instances
ofsuch legislation. They embrace changes
in the staff and line both of the army and
navy.
"Thc Pacific Mail Steamship subsidy
found its place ON such act; the reorgani.
cation Of the Post Office Department; tho
reorganization of the diplomatic and con-
sular service; the partial reorganization Of
the Sub-Treasury system; the prohibiting
the pardon or amnesty of any claimant in
the Court Of Claims being admissible to
establish his standing in court; the reor.
ganization Of the civil service ia the Treas.
ury Department; legislation as to the en-
forcoment act; the manner of settlement
of judgments by the Court of Claims aud
the Supreme Court as to the capture of
cotton; the section declaring that the gen
eral OF the army shall be permanently sta
toned in Washington, and only removed
by the advice and consent Of the Senate,
and directing all army orders to 90 through
the general of the army, whether issued
by the President of the United States or
by the Secretary Of War In the appro-
priation bill last year, the rates on news.
papers were doubled, to the great injury
Of those in the rural sections especially,
and the rates on third-cass matter were so
increased as to take it from the mails and
drive it to the express companies"
| mention these few to show the general
character and wide scope of the legislation
which has been put into appropriation
bills, and beg to refer to the appendix
hereto annexed, which will show the enor-
nous mass Of legislation of greater or less
Importance which has been from time to
time during the past ten years fastened on
such acts, relating as it does to almost
every conceivable subject Again, Mr..
Speaker, as natural result of the pros
tratiOn Of business, the revenues of the
Government have diminished to an alarm.
ing extent, aud the warning held out to
US was one not to be disregarded as it
might turn out in the coming fiscal year,
the reduction would be so great that tho
revenues would fall below the amount re-
quircd to meet the expenditures Of the
Government. In this emergency it was
absolutely essential to provide for reduc-
ton of expenses, rather than entail any
increase of our Understanding debt or
any addition to our present taxation.
Nay, more; if the full measure of reduc-
tions recommended had been acceded to
by the Republican minority in this House
and the majority in the Senate, then, even
with full revenue, the internal and other
taxes could have been reduced to an ex-
tent Of, say, slO,O0O,OO0 with compare
tive safety.
CERTAIN ABUSES.
Before leave the general discussion Of
these subjects and go to detailed exam
ination Of the respective appropriation acts,
| wish to direct public attention to what
deem some abuses in reference to expendi-
turc, which have gradually accumulated
until they have become of dangerous pro-
portions. Under existing laws we have
u system of what is know as permanent
specific" aud permanent indefinite" ap-
preparations. They embrace, among 9TH
ers, the sum necessary to pay the interest
on the public debt, the sum necessary to
pay the interest on the bonds of the vari-
GUS Pacific railroads, and guaranteed by
the United States, and the amount neces-
sary to be paid in obedience of law to the
sinking fund, on account of the liquidation
of the principal Of the public debt. In SO
far as the foregoing objects are concerned,
| do not raise serious objections, their
provisions so to make easy the mind Of
the public creditor by tho certainty of no
hitch in the prompt and regular payment
Of the public interest. But the laws 60
further, and include others which in my
judgment should pass under the annual
supervision Of Congress, among which are
the sum necessary to collect the revenues
from customs, which is only limited as to
amount Of expenditures by the discretion of
the Secretary of the Treasury, power too
great for permanent safety; for arming and
cquipping the militia of the several States;
the salaries and expenses of the Southern
Claims Commission; the return of the pro-
ceeds from the sale of captured and aban-
doned property to owners thereof; the
commission to be paid to persons negotia-
ting the refunding Of the national debt
one-half of one per cent. the salaries
and expenses of the steamboat inspectors;
the refunding of money duo to owners or
reputed owners of cotton improperly seized
after June 80, 1865; allowance and draw
backs in the Internal Revenue Bureau;
the refuuding of illegal internal taxes; the
repayment of duties levied in excess from
customs, as we'll as debentures, drawbacks,
bountics, and allowances in the customs
service Most if not all of the latter
character should have the frequent inspec-
ton of Congress and the people. would
suggest, therefore, at our next session
legislation to remedy these dangers.
About sl8, 200, 900 pass each year out Of
the Treasury under these heads in excess
of the amount paid on account of interest
on the public debt and the sinking fund,
which is an enormous sum to be under the
control Of executive officers without check
PENSIONS.
Appropriations last year, $50, ZOO, 900;
department estimates for the year ending
June 30, 1877, 1888, 500; recommen-
dation of the House Committee on APP
propriations, s29 ,533, 800; Senate COM
mittec recommended, s39, 523, 500; Senate
passed s29, 533, 800; law as finally enacted,
| S20,533, 500. The respective committees
of the two houses and both houses of
Congress agreed in the amount to be ap-