The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-08-17
THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.

THE ANNUAL APfiSofh>A
Year after year we are growing greater
and stronger, and in nothing Is TINS lact 81
clearly shown as in the annual appropria-
tions. In 1881 our general appropriations
were $lOO, 900 less than Tor 1850 anu
were over SIT 900, 600 less for TINS currei.
wear than next. Notwithstanding our great
public debt and the growing greatness Vi
the country, we had last year a maghlllceiiV
surolns reaching some $780, OO,oVo or
more but the coming year we are leau 10
look for a neat surplus of $lio,ooo'ooo' iho
national debt, which, some h''eeh 'e"i'
back. was So ,OO0,OO0 900, has now peen re-
duced to 81 400, 100000, thing uhhearu u
in modern times, and wlthal, we are anhu-
ally Witnessing generous supply Vi oiop'
and national prosperity, such as the worlu
has never seen, and yet national surplus
which is truly astonishing. 1t IS therefore
from our revenue and treasury surplus
more than anything else, that our greatness
and startling growth is to be noted. Inc
appropriations, all told, for next year. VI
the fiscal year 1888, amount ~
1924 243,O97, the principal items Oh
which are: Pensions, SlOO,OooVoo; posi-
office S44, 600 900; army $27,VOo,oco; suhury
civil list s25, 900 900; legislative S2o,ooo,ooo'
river and harbor bill 100000, and other
items in proportion. The increased amount
of our appropriations shows now rapluiy we
are growing, but the surplus is equally IN
dicatiye of the necessity for exiting down
taxation and accommodatin our burdens
to our income. The total income OF or
revenue of the government anticipated
is some OOOOO,000, and when this vast
sum, over and lb)ve all expenses is
regarded, the necessity Tor
proportionate reduction in taxation can be
readily seen. The only great obje,t on
is the fact that notwithstanding the SIM
plicity of our institutions, our oudget Oh
expenses is almost as great as those OF the
larger European powers, with their enor-
nous standing armies and immense civil
lists This is directly attributable to the
dereliction of the national representatives,
who Systematically, it seems, fail to con-
form the revenues to the expenditures, and
who are noticeably careless with reference
TO such important items as PEN
sions and others where millions are
voted with the utmost Indifference
A CRYING shame was perpetrated when ap
propriations were voted TO the extent oil
100000, 600 or more over and above the
requisite demands OF the government. The
first duty of the Fcrty-seventh congress, IN
view of the surplus referred to, was TO I'M
mediatcly reduce taxation, but instead our
representatives have been continuously vot-
ing schemes and jobs which have exhausted
the treasury's available fund without in
the least cutting down our burdens. Added
to all this now comes the appropriation
OF nearly $500 600 tor the fiscal expendi'
lures ofthe current year While the revenue
will amount to 500 900. 900 more, If 1t IS de-
sired 10 show that. our expenses are as
heavy rs those OF other great nations, the
object has been attained aud the lesson de-
monstrated that republics can be as extraya-
CANT as monarchies but the reflection must
force itself upon us that such
an inconsiderate handling of the national
finances is grossly extravaganza and
reckless in the extreme. II Is ABSURD 10 |
say under the circumstances that the coun- |
try is growing, anG hence the necessity ior
increased annual appropriations. The great
fact -errains that more, far more, is re-
ceiyed than is necessarily. exI ended arnu-
ally. and consequently there is no excuse
for failure to cut down the national bur
dens. The lessons OF this years appropria-
tions is clearly and simply that we could
have experienced a reduction OF $780,
900 900 or more in taxation, while
not dollar was taken off and the obvious
and only conclusion is that the legislators
who should have done this work have been
grossly derelict aud should be held TO a
strict account therefor. The more we con-
template the neglect Of duty by the present
congress the greater and more inexcusable
do It's shortcomings become and IL must
figure as the most Indifferent
body to the peoples interests
That has met In America for decades past.
While the enormous revenue expected and
The equally tremendous appropriations
made and perhaps required, show the won
ierful greatness Of the Union, its extent
md varied demands, more directly por-
raging these facts than any other items TO
which we could refer, yet in view
N all the circumstances, we must
,dmit that no representatives are
,pparentiy 90 neglected. Of tier
,onstituencies' interests and 20 eN-
ravaea7t with the country's finances. IL
be coming congress is not more econom-
cal and rerardfnl OF the trne interests Of
he people. We may truthfuily exclaim that
We have fallen upon disastrous tunes, how
lref propiiious outward appearances msy
rem.
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