The New York herald., 1876-08-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


WASHINGTON, August IA, 1915
The House met at ten O'Clock, In continuation OF
Saturdays session.
Mr. RAINFALL, (dcm.) of Pa, submitted the report of
the Committee OF Conference on tho Indian Arprorria-
tion bill
Tho report was agreed to without discussion.
RANpALLs srgEcn
Mr. RANDALL then proceeded TO make some general
remarks the several appropriations. He sa,d:-
Mr.. SrEAKER-Bcforc the nnal adjournment OF a pro.
acied and laborious session 1t is proper TO
seon concerning appropriations from the public
Treasury to carry on the government Tor the fiscal
year ending June so 1877. In tho discharge of this
task am sensible of other motive than that there
shall be complete and impartial exhibit OF the work
behalf of rctrcr chmcnt and reform v hch
10 DO and the difficulties opposition which met us
II every step interest OF lhoso who in any
reduction OF public expenditure loss TO them OF salary
place, there was consequent advan
tagc the taxpayers and the efficiency OF the
administration was IN degree impaired
We met at The very threshold by the incxorabic
alternative OF reducing expenditures to just and
economical basis or by allowing appropriations TO bc
made at the same figures OF previous years, with IN
ercpscd taxation; and this latter II WAS our pighcd
iaith and solemn duty TO prevent behalf ol the
great body OF the people borne down by heavy load
Of taxation, and VINO we're further distressed beyond
measure by arrangement and misfortune every
puc OF agricultural, manufacturing, mechanical
commercial ACTIVITY TO this end every item of pubic
expense, whether large or small. was subjected TO the
everest scrutiny and an inspection Of every bureau
md department OF the government undertaken with
out parallel, believe, Tor quarter of century.
I-sDoRs OF rrE COMMITTEE
The Committee ON Appropriatons gave this work
lhcir most earnest aticution 1t required inccssant
abor and much patience. ArFayed against us were all
hose whose iavorite, selfish sohcmes were
o bc frustrated Tor tho punhc good
ascr and greedy corporations, VINO sought to
aten from the pubic purse; place hunters and place
bodcrs and the friends ana par,isaus OF ALL hish or
low any way 10 be affected by reduction,
and especially by tho marked unwillngness all
hands by chics OF bureaus aud hca's OF departments
m thar mi ctnl
But had the comforting assurance that We had be-
hind us the people, who demanded that thcr burdens
should be shteued by practical aud necessary rcduc
lions and consolcd oiicnimcs The discharge
o, an imperative public duty whtn we found ourselves
compelled deny appropriations 10 the extent desired
Tor objects dearly cherished by our constituents The
majority OF this House ol Representatives elected
We assembled In December last that reform element
iui authority this hall and obtained partial
control over pubic expenditures
FIRST DIFFICULTY
which presented Itself to the execution Of the trust
eonGdcd TO was the existence OF rule IN the House
which prevented the relc cal, or even modification OF
my law ~ TO appropriations upon an appropriation
bill unless twothids oi the members assencd thereto,
which numbcr tho majority did have. rhc con-
Muction which had been given TO mat rule allowed
amendments to increase compensation 10 officers,
eIsrks and employees but adroy prevented as out OF
order any reduction whatever To overcome this
struction proposition was submitted to cnange tho
ru,c as 10 allow the incorporation into Appropriation
bills OF such legislation, which, being gerrnunc,
trcncbed expenditures thus making complete rcvou.
ton In the operation OF the rule ana turning
gancc into the better and s1icr direction OF economy
That change. for the purpose have indicated MAS vIg-
vrously resisted by the republican side OF the House
TOR the that composing they dG and DO
Than one.ihird OF It's members. amendment chang
Ing existing laws could bc made or put upon appro-
priation bill except when such amendments
salaries under the old practice two-thirts
nuircd suspend the rules TO allow the majority to
vote even such amendments, and that twoihirds,
rs 1 have already stated, the minority IN the House
could at anv time refuse. Without such change any
and all the part OF the House TO reduce
cxpcnditurcs OF the government would have been
the ide wind Here stood the republican members OF
more onetnird TO prevent and ohsiruc any such
<duction win Senate, rs We Hiicrward iound, even
.crc determined IN IT'S purpose.
FINALLY, through The agency OF The Committee on
Rules we secured report Ui tho alteration so much
desired. and the House adopted IT by majority com
posed exclusively %! democrats Almost AT The reduc-
lions we have accomplished have followed as the result
OF tho FIRST step Tor ! opened The way.
CONDITION COUNTRY.
II must not be forgotten mat when Congress assem-
blcd the country prosirated IA all the essentials
which go 10 make the people prosperous, eonicui-d
ms nts VIC rc closed aud most OF those sull running
were working only portion OF the time. Commerce
lauguiahed agriculture went unrcwardcd. and feeling
OF ds,rus widely prevailed causing capital to br nn-
usually cautious Almost all new enterprises were
aba andened, and labor. then AS now seeking employ
ment OF its activity inadcquaciy re-
nunerativc. Our duty in such condition OF analrs
plain pc mistaken IL was 10 Top on nj once
resoluiciy extravagant and unnecessary cN
pcnsc. THIS have partially accomplished and In a
ration in It's legitimate functions But 10 secure even
This partial result without producing friction has re-
Qu,rcd long ard raticnt examination. investigation and
study.
ten Per cent all salaries over 81 zoo and provide re