The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-08-05
THE APPROPRIATIONS
Made By The National Legisla-
ture.
what Becomes Of The Peoples
Money.

Enquirer Special
WASHINGTON, July 23.-The rec
ord of the first session of the Forty
seventh Congress, about to close, will
be that of the most extravagant that
has assembled since the war; and, it
will, moreover, have appropriated
nearly three hundred millions of the
peoples money. Usually Congress
having the welfare Of the people be-
fore its eyes reduces rather than in
fates the estimates of the heads of
the various Executive departments.
This is not to be credited to this
Congress, but rather the reverse.
Other than few chronic cranks,
who assume to be watchdogs of the
Treasury for mere notoriety, no voice
has been raised in the interest of
economy. The Shibolleth seems to
have been: There. is lots of money
in the Treasury and we must get at
it." Even in the closing hours the
Senate is insisting upon being paid
mileage for its ATTENDANCE upon the
special session last fall, which is no
more nor less than steal per Scna-
torial capita from the Treasury.
Its the extravaganza of the session
which constrains the Senate in dog
day hours to consider tax and rev.
enue bill. to make show of giving
relief to the people from the burdens
of tax. The pending bill may make
soothing syrup cheaper to kill babies
and cologne less per pint for the fas-
tidious, but so far as theae is any
genuine relief for the people there
is nothing in it. Thus far there has
been voted by this Congress $4,000
goo to erect public buildings in all
parts of the country. Some of these
too, in cities where there is no United
States. Court held or United States
officers stationed. One thisd of the
buildings are mere jobs to help Con-
gressmen to re- election. These ia
vors have been distributed alternate
ly to, Democrats and Republicans.
They get through Congress simply
because they are log rolled.
To support the Post Office Depart
ment it will take this year over S43,
100000. in addition to deficiency
Of $3,000,000 or thereabouts already
provided for. This is the Depart
ment which the great reformer James
announced during his term should
be made self-sustaining.
To pay pensions and arrearages,
$100,0O0,000 in round numbers, has
been voted.
The Navy is to cost the people
this year $16,000,000, and our army
of 25, 900 men, nearly 100000.
The most monstrous and gigantic
steal is the River and Harder Bill.
AS this bill passed the House it APP
propriated $19,000,000, and the Sen
ate with its usual generosity has
added enough to make the aggre-
gate $22,000,000. Money is voted
for streams that ought to be macad-
amized, and for streams that are. SO
small they are not geographically loo
Gated upon the maps. The only viz
tue in the Bill is the appropriation
for the Mississippi River, This. was
made liberal so as to catch Southern
votes for the iniquities Of the bill,
and the bait was swallowed. There
are premonitions that the President
will veto the bill.
To, better give an idea Of the Law
ish waste of money, it is yell to make
q note Of the fact that the present
Congress which has not taken off a
single burden Of taxation, has in
creased the ordinary running expen-
ses of the Government $z5, 000, 900
over what they were last year.
1t may be asked, Why such extrav-
agance? The answer is, that the
House Of Representatives which
originates all appropriation bills,was
purposely organized to waste the
public money. The notorious cabal
which comprised the election of
Speaker Keifer did not reckon with
out their host. They knew Keller
to be pliable man. They elected
him Speaker and then Robson or
ganized the House to suit himself.
Having sowed the wind they are now
reaping. the whirlwind. Mr.. Robe
son will be left at home; and if all
reports are true, Speaker Keifer will
have some trouble, to say the least,
in explaining to. his constituency
some of his official acts.