Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-20
The appropriation for public printing and bind
ing for the next fiscal year Is 81 500 600, of which
S. 402 900 is estimated for Congressional print

The appropriation for public printing and bind
ing for the fiscal year Is 81 500 co., OF which
sum 81 402 900 is estimated for Congressional print
ing. During the last ten days OF the recent ses-
sion Congress ordered the publication OF matter
that Will cost 1919 co., but no additional appropria-
ton WAS made for this work. It must be done out
OF the regular appropriations and at the next
session, when the deficiency thus rendered neces-
sary is asked for there will doubt be Congress-
men who will declaim against the extravaganza In
pubic printing. The responsibility for this extra
vagance rests entirely with Congress. Orders are
made IN both houses for the printing of matter
that Is entirely useless and worthless, without
seemingly giving thought to the expense. Dur
Ing the last session the committee ON printing
dertook TO reduce the expenditure by cutting down
the number OF various publications, but In almost
every effort OF this kind it was overruled The
tons or matter, printed at public expense, which
are annuity hauled away from the Capitol and
sold as waste paper furnish abundant proof Of the
extravaganza In public printing, but every page
of that matter was printed by order of Congress
1t Is getting so common nowadays for public
men who control patronage to stow members Of
their own family In snug places that, unless one
goes TO the Keller extreme and provides for all
his sons. nephews and COUSINS 1t scarcely attracts
more than passing notice. The Senator who
first set the example OF appointing his son clerk
spicuous by that act; but 1t would seem that Sen
ators' sons make such superior committee clerks
tnatpublic sentiment was mistaken In condemning
the practice OF appointing them. In the last Con-
EreSS eight Senate committees had fathers for
chairmen and sons for clerks. thus afording the
public double share OF the family talent Sew
eral members OF the House also discovered that
their respective sons were admirably qualified for
the position OF committee clerks, and followed the
senatorial precedent In style that showed at
once their regard for family ties and their powers
OF imitation.
1t Is unfortunate, to say the least, that the busi
ness interests of this country should be made so
dependent upon the course OF legislation In Con-
greSs- For three months past as Is well known,
every channel OF trade and industry has been more
or less obStructed by the discussion OF the bill to
reduce internal taxation and revise the tarifi,
which mainly goes into effect the first OF July
1t was TO be hoped that the final passage OF that
act would give some permanency to manufacturing
and commercial affairs; but it is already an
noufced that the democrats who are dissatisfied
with the recent legislation intend to make an at
tempt at the next session to revise it. The debate
That must follow will be as long as the session
ITSELF and the result will probably be Injurious to
the country, as It certainly will be to the demo-
cratic majority OF the House. 1t Is we'll known to
all men who have made the tariff q subject of In.
qulry that very marked changes have taken place
In different portions or this country and that
sections which clamored ten years ago for a tariff
Tor revenue, without incidental protection, are
now even demanding protection for new and local
interests 1t has been found impossible to francs
Dill 10 meet this partial revolution and experience
alone can show how the new measure, so far as it
relates to customs duties, may or may not benefit
the country. 1t certainly is entitled to q trial
longer than f1ve months