The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-08-12
THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.


aud stronger, and in nothing is this fact SO
clearly shown as in the annual appropria-
tions. In 1881 our general appropriations
were Si00,OOO,OOO less than for 1883 aud
were over $77 600 900 less for this current
year than next. Notwithstanding our great
public debt and the growing greatness OF
the country, we had last year Il magnificent
surplus, reaching some $l00,000000 or
more, but the coming year we are lead 10
look for neat surplus Of $4,000, 900. The
national debt, which, some fifteen years
back, was $4,000, 900 900, has now been re.
duced to 81 400, 00O0 u thing unheard o.
in modern times, and wlthal, we are annu-
ally witnessing generous supply of crops
and national prosperity, such as tho world
has never seen, and yet national surplus
sch liz truly astonishing. 1t N Therefore
~ - our revenue and treasury surplus,
mu7 anything else, that our greatness
and ~ Ming growth is to be noted The
approp eth ons, all told, for next year, or
the iistSp year 1888, amount to
sol, 2l3,0jNs the principal items Of
which are; Pensions, slOO0OO,0o0 post
office SiI,000,O00; army S2I0OO0O0; sundry
civil list $25, 600 900; legislative 10000, 600;
river and harbor bill Sls,00O,0O0, and other
items in proportion. The increased amount
of our appropriations shows how rapidly we
are growing, but the surplus is equally in
dicative of the necessity for exiting down
taxation and accommodating our burdens
to our income. The total income of or
revenue Of tho government anticipated
is some 100000 600, and when this vast
sum, over and above all expenses, is
regarded, the necessity for a
proportionatc reduction in taxation can be
readily seen. The only great objection,
is the fact that Notwithstanding the sim
plicity OF our institutions, our budget Cf
expenses Is almost as great us those of the
larger European powers, with their enor-
nous standing armies and immense civil
lists. This is directly attributable TO the
dcrellction OF the national representatives,
who Systematically, it seems, fail to con.
torn the revenues to the expenditures, and
who are noticeaby careless with reference
TO such important items rs pen.
sions and Others where millions ere
voted with tho utmost indifference.
A crying shame was perpetrated when ap.
preparations were voted TO the extent of
100000 600 or more over and above the
requisite demands OF the government. The
first duty Of the Forty-suvcnth congress, In
view OF the surplus referred to, was to inn
mediatcly reduce taxation, But instead our
representatives have been continuously yot
ing schemes and jobs which have exhausted
tho trcasury's available fund without in
the least cutting down our burdens. Added
to oil this now comes the appropriation
OF nearly $500, 1000, 600 tor the fiscal expcndi.
lures the current year while the revenue
will amount TO 800 900 900 more. II IL is dc.
sired TO show that our expenses are as
heavy ~ those of other great nations, the
object has been attained and the lesson de-
monstrstcd that republics can be as cNtrava
CANT ns monarchies, but the reflection must
force itself upon us that such
an inconsideratc handling OF the national
finances is grossly eNtravagant and
reckless in the extreme. 1t is absurd to
say under the circumstances that the coun.
try is growing, and hence the necessity Tor
increased annual appropriations. The great
fact remains that more, far more, Is re-
ccivcd than is necessarily expended aunu-
ally. and consequently there is no excuse
for failure to cut down the national bur
dcns Tho lessons of this years opproprIa.
tons is clearly and simply that We could
have experienced reduction OF 500.
OOOO or more in taxation, while
not dollar was taken OIL aud the obvious
aud only conclusion ~ that the legislators
who should have done this worl; have been
grossly dcrclict aud should be held TO q
strict account therefor. The moro We con-
template the neglect Of duty by the present
congress tho greater aud more incxcuSnhle
do its shortcomings become and It must
historically figure rs the most indifferent
''NS w wv HCNIlV HllClVNlN
that has met in America Tor decades past
While the enormous revenue expected and
the equally tremendous appropriations
made and perhaps required, show the Won
dciml greatness of the Union, its extent
aud varied demands, more directly por-
traying these facts than any other ilcnls to
which We could rcicr, yet in view
of all the circumstances, We must
admit that no representatives are
apparently SO ncglcc,ml Of their
constituencies interests aud 80 cS.
trayagart with the counlry's finances, II
the coming congress is not moro oconom
ical and rcgariful OF the true interests Of
the people, We may truthIully cXclaim that
we have fallen upon disastrous times, how.
ever propitious outward appearances may
seem.
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RUSSIA has been making herself rather